High prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome with poor sleep quality in children and adolescents in Shanghai

Abstract

This study explored the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and investigated the relation-ship between IBS and disturbed sleep in school-age children in Shanghai, China. Primary, middle and high school students (n = 1542) were recruited from schools in Shanghai. Students completed two questionnaires: the questionnaire for IBS in children and adolescents and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The overall prevalence of IBS adjusted for cluster effects among students was 18.81%, and prevalence increased with age. Relative to non-IBS students, more IBS students tended to have poor sleep, including quality and duration. IBS is common among children and adolescents in Shanghai, China, and its prevalence increases with age. A tendency toward poor sleep also increases with age. The causal relationship between sleep and IBS needs to be further studied.