Quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in Qaliobeya Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effect of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on health-related quality of life (QOL). Background There has been an underestimation of the impact of IBS on an individual's functioning and QOL. The general health status of both young and elderly individuals with IBS is generally found to be poorer than that of the general population. Patient and methods This cross-sectional study included 400 IBS patients who attended to randomly selected family health center and two family health units of Qaliobeya Governorate in Egypt. All IBS patients who attended to the selected family health center and units and fulfilled the criteria of ROM III were included in the study sample. QOL was assessed through the 34-item, IBS-QOL questionnaire. Results Older patients (≥30 years), female sex, receiving antispasmodic drugs, being overweight, and low socioeconomic standard were associated with better QOL. Patients who suffered dyspepsia, stomach pain, and flatulence encountered lower QOL. Conclusion QOL in patients with IBS is affected by age, sex, BMI, and presence of symptoms such as dyspepsia, flatulence, and stomach pain that may awake the patients at some nights.