A study of impact and prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome among medical students

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered as a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder which is characterized by some non-specific symptoms, such as altered bowel habits and abdominal pain. There is no recognized organic pathology associated with IBS. The prevalence of IBS is different in different communities. Its etiology remains uncertain or obscure, perhaps multifactorial. The predestined objective was the determination of prevalence, associated factors and impact of IBS on medical student studying in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. A cross-sectional study was carried out among male medical students enrolled in Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University during the academic year 2013 to 2014. All male medical students of second to sixth year were invited for participation in the study by filling study questionnaire. A validated, reliable, confidential, and self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Rome III Criteria was used for the diagnosis of irritable bowed syndrome. The IBS prevalence was 21% with profiles characterized by constipation (20.0%), diarrhea (34.3%), and other alternating symptoms (45.7%). Students who having history of chronic health problems were about three times more prone to develop IBS (OR=2.93). Those reported having stress was at 2.63 times more risk to develop IBS. Those having food hypersensitivity as compared to others were more liable to develop IBS (OR=3.29). IBS was not significantly associated with academic performance. IBS prevailed among medical students. Thus, screening of these students for psychological problems, IBS and stress management strategies are recommended for these students. Key words: Bowel habits, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), medical students, prevalence, work absenteeism.