Irritable Bowel Syndrome among Medical and Non-Medical Northern Border University Students, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Across Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and alteration in bowel habits. Aim of the study: To determine the overall prevalence, prevalence of each type and risk factors of IBS among Northern Border University (NBU) students, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Material and methods: We use cross sectional, descriptive study with multistage cluster probability sample. Using Rome III criteria questionnaire of IBS; which is a self-administrated consists of ten questions assessing the current status of an apparently normal person. The questionnaire is administrated to Northern Border University students. Results: A total of 228 University students of them, 94 (41.2%) males and 134 (58.8%) females were included in the study. The overall prevalence of IBS according to Rome III criteria in northern border University was (32.5%). The disease prevalence was 33.6% in females and 30.9% in males. Among the study participants, the most common type of IBS was the mixed one 12.7%, followed by the constipation predominant type 10.5%, then the diarrhea predominant type 5.7% while the least common was un-subtyped cases (3.5%). Statistically significant increase in prevalence of this disease was found among female students (60.8% vs. 39.2% in males) (p-value < 0.05), the students who experienced psychic stress and irritability (79.7%) (p-value < 0.05) and students who were obese (p-value ˂ 0.001). Conclusion: The results * Corresponding author.N. M. A. of this study concluded the prevalence rate of 32.5% for IBS among the students studying in Northern Border University. Stress and high body mass index were significantly associated with IBS. In addition, this study concluded that IBS was not significantly associated with socio-demographic characteristics and smoking.

Irritable bowel syndrome among High School Students, Bagdad, Iraq, 2017-2018

“…[15]. This study revealed a lack of association between the monthly family income and IBS, which is consistent with a study in Saudi Arabia [16]. Other studies demonstrated that individuals with high family income can cope better with stressful life events [25,30].…”

“…The reported prevalence in this study is higher than the rates reported from Europe, Africa and many Asian countries [18, 19, and 20]. Still, it is close to the rates reported in studies from Middle Eastern countries [16,21]. This variation may be explained by social, environmental and genetics factors and dietary habit which differ from one geographical area to another [6].…”

“…Thereafter; the patients were classified as having constipation predominant (IBS-C); if they had hard or lumpy stools with no loose or mushy watery stools, or diarrhea predominant (IBS-D); if they had loose or mushy watery stools with no hard or lumpy stools and mixed subtypes (IBS-M); if they had loose or mushy stools with hard or lumpy stools in the past three months [14]. In our study we depended an Arabic version questionnaire which had used previously in other Arabic studies [15,16] after we assessed and validated it by specialists in department of Gastroenterology. Ethical and Official Approvals: Official approval was granted from the Directorates of Education in Baghdad/ Iraq Ministry of Education.…”

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and metabolic syndrome among young adults in an annual health check‐up setting

“…The mean elevated fasting glucose level was found to have a significant association with IBS in our study, similar to the finding by Gulcan et al 10 We also found an association between waist circumference and IBS akin to the finding reported by Nuaman 13 . The significant association between higher BMI and IBS in our study is in line with the finding from the Egyptian study 32 . Also, we found a significant association between increased weight and IBS, similar to that reported by Blakely 33 and Cholongitas 8 …”

“…13 The significant association between higher BMI and IBS in our study is in line with the finding from the Egyptian study. 32 Also, we found a significant association between increased weight and IBS, similar to that reported by Blakely 33 and Cholongitas. 8 …”