Table 1 Baseline parameters of the participants

Number

49

59

Age (years)

46.2 ± 19.2

40.8 ± 15.6

1.0

Gender (male/female)

15/34

22/37

Duration of symptoms (years)

15.2 ± 14.9

13.4 ±12.4

0.5

Type of IBS

 Mixed

24

40

 Diarrhea

13

14

 Constipation

12

5

Time from diagnosis (years)

6.2 ± 7.1

5.2 ±6.7

0.47

Journal Bloating score

32.8 ± 19.1

30.6 ± 17.6

0.6

Journal Abdominal pain score

31 ± 15.6

21.6 ± 16.4

0.003

Journal Gasses score

38.3 ± 15.2

32.5 ± 13.5

0.036

Number of bowel movements/week

13.4 ± 11

13.7 ± 9.6

0.9

Severity score

307 ± 85

267.9 ± 115.7

0.046

Quality of life score

88.8 ± 27.2

83.4 ± 26.3

0.3