Table 1. A comparison of the characteristics of subjects with irritable bowel syndrome and controls.
| Parameter | IBS (n = 55) | Controls (n = 116) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 17 ± 3 | 15 ± 4 | 0.004 |
| Height SDS | -0.2 ± 1 | 0.0 ± 1 | 0.39 |
| Weight SDS | 0.7 ± 1 | 0.4 ± 2 | 0.27 |
| BMI SDS | 1 ± 3 | 0.5 ± 1 | 0.11 |
| Sex: (% Males) | 20 | 42 | 0.004 |
| Race (% White) | 78 | 75 | 0.65 |
| ALB (μmol/L) | 6 ± 1 | 7 ± 1 | 0.01 |
| ALT (U/L) | 19 ± 20 | 19 ± 33 | 0.98 |
| 25(OH)D (nmol/L) | 53 ± 16 | 65 ± 28 | 0.003 |
| 25(OH)D ≤50 nmol/L (%) | 53 | 27 | 0.001 |
| 25(OH)D ≤75 nmol/L (%) | 93 | 75 | 0.006 |
| Seasons: (Summer-Fall, %) | 47 | 56 | 0.28 |
IBS irritable bowel syndrome; SDS standard deviation score; 25(OH)D 25-hydroxyvitamin D; ALT alanine transaminase; ALB albumin, significant p values are bolded.