Nearly One-Third of IBS Patients Report Gluten Sensitivity, New Study Finds (+Video)

Celiac.com 03/30/2026 - Digestive complaints are common among young adults, and two conditions that often appear similar are irritable bowel syndrome and nonceliac gluten sensitivity. Irritable bowel syndrome is a long-term digestive disorder marked by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Nonceliac gluten sensitivity describes a pattern in which people experience symptoms after eating gluten, even though they do not have celiac disease or a wheat allergy.

Because both conditions can cause stomach pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements, it can be difficult to tell them apart. Many people with irritable bowel syndrome report feeling better when they avoid gluten, even though they have never been diagnosed with a gluten-related disorder. This study set out to explore how common self-reported nonceliac gluten sensitivity is among young adults who meet modern diagnostic standards for irritable bowel syndrome.

Why This Question Matters

Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
Doctors use specific symptom-based criteria to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome. These criteria focus on recurring abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. However, people who believe they react to gluten often describe similar digestive symptoms. In addition, some report problems beyond the digestive system, such as fatigue or difficulty concentrating.

If a large number of people with irritable bowel syndrome also believe they are sensitive to gluten, this could influence how doctors approach treatment. For some patients, dietary changes such as reducing or eliminating gluten might improve quality of life. For others, gluten may not play a role at all. Understanding how often these two conditions overlap is an important step toward more personalized care.

How the Study Was Conducted

Researchers carried out a cross-sectional survey between January and March of two thousand twenty-two in thirteen cities across Italy. Participants were young adults between eighteen and thirty-five years of age who were approached in public areas, such as shopping centers.

Each participant completed a detailed questionnaire. The survey gathered information about age, sex, medical history, digestive symptoms, and whether a doctor had diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome. The questionnaire also included standardized questions used to determine whether a person met accepted criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, participants were asked about symptoms they believed were related to gluten consumption and whether they followed a gluten-free diet.

Based on their responses, participants were divided into groups. One group included those who met the symptom criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. Within that group, researchers identified individuals who also met criteria for self-reported nonceliac gluten sensitivity. The study then compared people with irritable bowel syndrome alone to those who had both irritable bowel syndrome and self-reported gluten sensitivity.

Who Took Part

A total of five thousand one hundred eight valid responses were included in the final analysis. The average age of participants was just over twenty-three years, and about two-thirds were women.

Sixteen percent of all participants met the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. Among those with irritable bowel syndrome, nearly one in three also met the criteria for self-reported nonceliac gluten sensitivity.

Main Findings

Gluten Sensitivity Was More Common in Those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The study found that self-reported nonceliac gluten sensitivity was much more common in participants who had irritable bowel syndrome than in those who did not. Roughly twenty-nine percent of people with irritable bowel syndrome reported symptoms consistent with gluten sensitivity. In contrast, fewer than nine percent of people without irritable bowel syndrome reported similar gluten-related symptoms.

This large difference suggests that gluten sensitivity and irritable bowel syndrome frequently overlap, at least in terms of how people perceive and report their symptoms.

Symptoms Beyond the Digestive System

Participants who had both irritable bowel syndrome and self-reported gluten sensitivity were more likely to report symptoms that extended beyond the digestive tract. These included fatigue, a sense of mental cloudiness often described as “brain fog,” and a general feeling of poor well-being.

In addition, people in this combined group reported higher rates of anxiety and depression compared with those who had irritable bowel syndrome alone. This finding suggests that individuals who believe they are sensitive to gluten may experience a broader range of symptoms affecting both body and mind.

Gluten-Free Diet Use and Reported Benefits

The researchers also examined how many participants followed a gluten-free diet. Among those with both irritable bowel syndrome and self-reported gluten sensitivity, more than sixty percent reported adhering to a gluten-free diet. In contrast, about forty percent of those with irritable bowel syndrome alone reported following such a diet.

Importantly, among participants who adopted a gluten-free diet, a higher proportion of those with both conditions reported improvement in their symptoms compared with those who had irritable bowel syndrome alone. This suggests that, for some individuals, avoiding gluten may offer noticeable relief.

What the Findings Suggest

The results indicate that nearly one-third of young adults with irritable bowel syndrome also report symptoms consistent with nonceliac gluten sensitivity. These individuals tend to experience not only digestive complaints but also fatigue, mental cloudiness, and emotional distress more frequently than those with irritable bowel syndrome alone.

The findings raise the possibility that, in a subset of patients with irritable bowel syndrome, certain components of wheat may trigger or worsen both digestive and whole-body symptoms. The study does not prove a biological cause, but it highlights the need for further research into how wheat and gluten might interact with the immune system and the lining of the gut in people with irritable bowel syndrome.

Limitations to Keep in Mind

This study relied on self-reported information. Participants were not formally tested for gluten sensitivity using controlled dietary challenges. As a result, it is not possible to confirm that gluten itself caused their symptoms. Other components of wheat or dietary patterns may also play a role.

In addition, the survey focused on young adults in Italy, so the findings may not apply equally to older populations or to people in other countries. Even so, the large number of participants provides meaningful insight into how commonly these conditions overlap in everyday life.

Why This Study Could Matter for People with Celiac Disease

For people with celiac disease, strict avoidance of gluten is medically necessary to prevent intestinal damage and long-term complications. This study does not change that requirement. However, it does highlight an important reality: many people without celiac disease experience symptoms they attribute to gluten, particularly those who already struggle with irritable bowel syndrome.

Understanding this overlap can be meaningful for individuals with celiac disease in several ways. First, it reinforces the idea that gluten can affect people differently, even when celiac disease is not present. Second, it may help explain why gluten-free diets are increasingly common among people without a formal diagnosis of celiac disease. Finally, it underscores the importance of accurate diagnosis. Anyone who suspects a gluten-related disorder should be properly evaluated for celiac disease before starting a gluten-free diet, since testing is most reliable while gluten is still being consumed.

In summary, this study shows that self-reported gluten sensitivity is common among young adults with irritable bowel syndrome and is linked to a wider range of symptoms and greater use of gluten-free diets. Identifying which patients may truly benefit from dietary changes could improve symptom management and quality of life, while ensuring that those with celiac disease continue to receive appropriate medical care.

Read more at: journals.lww.com

Watch the video version of this article:

Watch the super short video version of this article: