EPIDEMIOLOGY OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN SAUDI UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common among undergraduate students and associated with several modifiable risk factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the epidemiology of IBS in Saudi undergraduate students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 2018 to June 2018. A total of 767 undergraduate students from all Saudi Arabia regions completed an online self-administered questionnaire. IBS symptoms were assessed using the Rome IV diagnostic criteria.

Results: The mean age was 21.88 years (range 18-29); 56.1% of the study population were females and 50.1% were from the central region of Saudi Arabia. Students of medical colleges represented 30.2% of the sample. The overall prevalence of IBS was 15.8%. Significant independent risk factors for IBS were female sex (OR=3.738; 95%CI=2.093, 6.673), being a student in a medical college (OR=7.216; 95%CI=4.438, 11.733), living in a rented apartment (OR=6.752; 95%CI=2.586, 17.627), living on campus (OR=6.563; 95%CI=2.138, 20.145), poor sleep quality (OR=3.156; 95%CI=1.850, 5.385), exercise (OR=0.394; 95%CI=0.193, 0.803), smoking (OR=5.256; 95%CI=2.841, 9.724), family history of IBS (OR=1.641; 95%CI=1.012, 2.661), and emotional stress (OR=2.184; 95%CI=1.375, 3.469).

Conclusion: Overall, 15.8% of participants in this study met the Rome IV criteria for IBS diagnosis. IBS was associated with several lifestyle factors, as well as family history and emotional stress.

Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome, undergraduate students, risk factors, epidemiology, Saudi Arabia.