The current study analyzed questionnaire data from 268,606 people across six biobanks, five European ancestry groups, and one East Asian group. SF ranged from 0.98 to 1.42 bowel movements per day across the different populations. IBS prevalence followed a U-shaped pattern, with constipation predominant IBS at one end of the frequency spectrum and diarrhea predominant IBS at the other.
Fine mapping determined specific genetic variants that influence GI motility. The analysis pinpointed three specific genetic variants with high confidence: rs12407945 in Europeans, and rs2581260 and rs12022782 in the multi-ancestry analysis.
This genetic analysis of SF reveals new insights into how the gut controls motility. The study uncovered a surprising role for vitamin B1 metabolism in gut motility. This discovery opens possibilities for dietary or drug interventions targeting thiamine pathways.
Because SF is a questionnaire-based proxy for motility, and dietary thiamine intake was assessed observationally rather than through intervention trials, the authors emphasize the need for mechanistic studies and clinical validation. Many existing medications, particularly cardiovascular drugs, could be repurposed to treat IBS and other gut motility disorders, but further experimental and clinical investigation is required.
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