Abstract
Introductionirritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. The medical programme is among the most challenging and stressful undergraduate programmes which may predispose to higher rates of IBS. This study sought to determine the prevalence of undiagnosed IBS and the factors associated with IBS among medical students in a Malaysian private university.Methodsa cross sectional study was conducted among the medical students from semester 6 to semester 9 (year 3, year 4 and year 5) of a Malaysian private university. The questionnaire consisted of 2 main sections. Section A was on demographic data and section B consisted of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Rome IV Questionnaire for IBS. Association between the factors gathered and IBS was assessed using the Chi-Square test. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.2 in the univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate analysis model.Resultsnumber of students who responded were 190 (56.3%) were females, 66.3% were Chinese and 37.9% were from semester 9. Twenty-eight (14.7%) students had symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of IBS. Depression was found to be significantly associated with IBS (adjusted OR: 4.749, CI: 1.809-12.470).Conclusionthis study suggests that IBS is common among Malaysian medical students. There was a significant association between IBS and depression
Highlights
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a presumptive diagnosis defined as a functional bowel disorder in which recurrent abdominal pain is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits
The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of IBS among medical students in a Malaysian private university and the factors associated with IBS in this group
The prevalence of IBS amongst medical students in the Malaysian private university was higher compared to the Malaysian population
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a presumptive diagnosis defined as a functional bowel disorder in which recurrent abdominal pain is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits. According to the Rome IV criteria, IBS is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, on an average of at least 1 day a week in the last 3 months, associated with two or more of the following criteria: related to defecation, association with a change in frequency of stool or association with a change in form (appearance) of stool. This criterion has to be fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months before diagnosis [1]. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of IBS among medical students in a Malaysian private university and the factors associated with IBS in this group
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