Effect of Vitamin D on Irritable Bowel Syndrome on Ain Shams University Medical Students

Abstract

Abstract Objective Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be divided into three subtypes according to bowel habits –IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS with constipation (IBS-C), and IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M). Incidence of IBS has been increasing over last two decades. Recent studies have suggested a relationship between vitamin D and IBS. Vitamin D has a potential role as immune modulator, antiinflammatory, and anti-microbial agent that can explain its role in IBS. Method This study is part of The Nutritional Assessment of Medical Students of Ain Shams University (NAMS/ASU), the project was designed to evaluate the nutritional status of the undergraduate medical students. All participants were subjected to: Interview questionnaires including data: name, age, sex, study grade, past medical history and family history. Dietary recall: 24 hrs food recall, food frequency related iron intake. All data was analyzed using food composition table National Nutritional Institute (NNI). General clinical examination laying stress on: Systolic blood pressure & Diastolic blood pressure. This study was applied on 40 students who were diagnosed as IBS by ROME 4 criteria and vitamin D deficiency (<20 IU). They were advised to eat rich vitamin D food and vitamin D supplementation by vitamin D oral drops cholecalciferol 42000 IU per week for 12 weeks then vitamin D level was reevaluated again and check ROME IV criteria for IBS. Results Demographic data of Irritable Bowel Syndrome among Ain Shams University Medical Students according to their demographic data regarding age, sex and BMI shows that the ranged age 20-24 with mean 22.33±1.37, while female (65%) and male (35%), as well as ranged BMI 1930 with mean 23.75±3.02 and the ranged systolic blood pressure 95-130 with mean 113.13±10.23, also ranged diastolic 60-85 with mean 73.88±7.02 of blood pressure of demographic data. After three months of vitmin D intervention participants were divided into 2 groups according to IBS symptoms relief group 1 was with no symptoms (ROME IV criteria are not fulfilled), while group 2 are the candidates whom ROME IV criteria are fulfilled but with a less degree and improvement of Rome IV criteria.%. Conclusion Female sex is more liable for IBS, being a student in a medical college and lack of exercise. Our study indicated that Vitamin D supplementation could play a therapeutic role in the control of IBS in medical students.