POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED FACTORS WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AMONG MEDICAL AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain with altered bowel habits. Proposed etiological mechanisms include altered gastrointestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, abnormal pain processing in the central nervous system, low grade inflammation, following enteric infection, altered psychological state and imbalances in the intestinal flora. Discovering the possible associating factors enables us to provide a better quality of life for IBS patients.Aim of the Work: To study the associated factors with irritable bowel syndrome among medical Ain Shams university students.Subject and Methods: In the first phase a cross-sectional study was conducted on students from database of the Nutritional Assessment of Medical Students of Ain Shams University Project. 1225 students aged between 19 and 24 years during the period of April 2018 and April 2019 were obtained from the database and interviewed. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 73 students were suffering from IBS according to criteria of Rome IV then a second phase was conducted by selecting a comparative normal group randomly to conduct a comparative study between those suffering from IBS and normal healthy students to find out the potentially associated factors among students. Data on participants’ diet, life style, anthropometry and biochemical investigations including CBC, iron profile and vitamin D levels were gathered.Results: The associated factors statistically significant with IBS were increased intake of stimulating drinks and brown bread, increased fatigue, irritability and behavioral changes, increased muscle cramps and iron deficiency aneamia.Conclusion: Medical students are likely to be subjected to substantial amount of stress and anxiety that are the major factors for IBS, along other factors. More studies are needed to further evaluate those factors and to implement preventative strategies to control the disease and enhance the quality of life of medical students.