Risk Factors For Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research Articles

Impact of physical activity on gastrointestinal health and prevention and treatment of common gastrointestinal diseases: Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), among them Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are common chronic diseases affecting a growing group of patients. Physical activity (PA) is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. The aim of the study was to critically evaluate current knowledge of impact of PA on gastrointestinal (GI) health and prevention and treatment of some most common GI tract diseases, such as IBS and IBD. The comprehensive research of literature available on PubMed, Google Scholar, ResearchGate and Springer Link was performed. PA improves function of GI by increasing colon transit and bowel movements. These mechanisms contribute to reducing the risk of colorectal cancer and, to varying degrees depending on location, other digestive-system cancers. There is a potential association between PA and the more health-beneficial gut microbiota, but more research in this area is needed. Sedentary lifestyle seems to be a risk factor for IBD, while physical activity seems to be a protective factor only for Crohn disease. Altough, PA contributes to improvement of quality of life and reduction of stress in patients with IBD, futher conclusions on the effect of PA on the course of ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease still require expanded research. Available literature suggests that physical activity prevents obesity, a proven risk factor for worsening the course of the disease, and osteoporosis, an important complication of glucocorticosteroid therapy. Despite evidence of a sedentary lifestyle as a risk factor for IBS, there is still a lack of studies examining the impact of physical activity as a protective factor. the number of RCTs examining the effect of PA on the course of IBS remains insufficient, and studies conducted should take into account the various symptoms of IBS.

Obesity and functional gastrointestinal disorders: What is the link?

Obesity and functional gastrointestinal disorders: What is the link?

Висока частота гомозиготного генотипу 472АА COMT (Val158) гена катехол-О-метилтрансферази (COMT) у дітей із синдромом подразненого кишечника

Following the biopsychosocial model of medicine, the pathophysiological basis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a combination of biological, psychoemotional, and psychosocial factors, the contribution of each of them to the development of this disorder remains unclear. Psychoemotinal factors, which are involved in the pathogenesis of IBS, are caused not only by the environment but also by the metabolism of catecholamines, particularly by the functional activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). Purpose - to determine the role of Val158Met COMT polymorphism in development of IBS in children; to identify associations between genotype and clinical variant of the disorder and the nature of the provoking factor. Materials and methods. The material for the molecular genetic study were DNA samples obtained from nuclear cells of venous blood of 54 patients aged 6-12 years with diagnosed IBS. In 48 practically healthy children of the same age DNA samples were isolated from buccal epithelial cells. Molecular genetic study of single nucleotide polymorphism rs4680 of COMT gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction followed by analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism. Microsoft Excel 2016 and GraphPad Prism 5 software were used for statistical analysis. Results. We have revealed significant differences in the distribution of Val158Met COMT genotypes in children with IBS in comparison with the control group. There was established that the 472GА COMT is more prevalent in healthy children and has a protective role in the development of IBS. In contrast, homozygous genotypes 472GG and 472AA, which are associated with changes in functional activity of enzyme COMT, may be considered as the risk factors for IBS (p≤0.0001). Conclusions. Genotype 472АА COMT was mostly detected in сhildren with stress-associated IBS, which is more related to dysnociception, disorders of cognition, and emotional disturbances. The higher prevalence of 472GA COMT heterozygotes among children with postinfectious IBS and IBS associated with antibiotic therapy indicates a less important role for the psychoemotional component and nociceptive disorders in the onset of this disorder (p=0.03). The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of all participating institutions. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Impact of shift work on irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia: A meta-analysis.

Background:The possible association between shift work with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) remains controversial. The purpose of the study is to conduct a meta-analysis to explore the potential association between shift work with IBS/FD.Methods:We searched relevant observational studies on Medline (PubMed) and Embase until June 30, 2021. Two different investigators extracted data and assessed the quality of each study independently. The meta-analysis was used to evaluate the pooled odds risk (OR) between shift work and IBS/FD.Results:Eight studies were included ultimately. Shift workers were more likely to suffer from IBS. The OR of shift work was 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.42; 2.32) with low heterogeneity (P < .05, I2 = 0%) for IBS. However, no evidence of the association was observed between shift work and the risk of FD. The OR of shift work was 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.62; 1.23) (P > .05) for FD.Conclusions:There was a positive association between shift work and IBS. The prevalence of IBS was 81% higher among shift workers than among non-shift workers. Shift work was probably a risk factor for IBS. The low heterogeneity supports the reliability of the results. However, there was no significant association between shift work and FD. The strength of the evidence was limited and further prospective cohort studies were needed.

Identification of gene candidates associated with Irritable bowel syndrome

Background/Aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) belongs to the gastrointestinal disorders characterised by abdominal discomfort and pain, altered constipation, diarrhoea and stomach distension. The aim was to assess relationship between the selected genetic polymorphisms with IBS, their combined genotype effect as well as to assess a difference in the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of selected loci between case and control group. Methods: This was a prospective study which included 29 participants, 20 individuals diagnosed with IBS based on Rome III criteria and 9 healthy individuals. The study analysed the selected genetic polymorphisms as possible risk factors for IBS according to the model of the case-control study. Genotyping was performed for FKBP5, DRD2 and DAT polymorphisms qualified as risk factors for IBS in previous researches. Results: The results revealed a significant association between DAT polymorphism with IBS, both, at the allelic level (p = 0.006) and genotype level (p = 0.031). Individuals with 434 allelic variant in the genotype have six time higher probability for developing IBS, in comparison to the individuals without this allelic variant. The statistical association between other analysed polymorphism and IBS was not reached. The analysis of combined effects of selected polymorphisms revealed no association with IBS, except FKBP5 and DAT which result was at the level of statistical significance (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Further analysis which would include DAT polymorphism with larger sample size, as well as other genes involved in dopamine neurotransmitter system would be of great interest to define closer conclusion of IBS aetiology.

Prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder in children and adults. The IBS is diagnosed by symptoms that fulfill the Rome IV criteria. This condition can impact quality of life, especially in adolescents.&#x0D; Objectives To investigate the prevalence of IBS in high school students and analyze its risk factors.&#x0D; Methods This cross-sectional study was done with e-questionnaires from Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire on Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (R4PDQ). Students from high school and occupational schools age 14 to 18-years-old in Jakarta were included in this study. Possible risk factors for IBS were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test for bivariate analysis and logistic regression for multivariate analysis.&#x0D; Results Of 210 subjects, 10 (4.8%) had IBS. The IBS-M and IBS-C subtypes were more common than IBS-D. Gastrointestinal infection history was significantly associated with IBS (OR 7.1; 95%CI 1.7 to 29.3; P=0.013). Other factors such as gender, corporal punishment, asthma, spicy and fatty food consumption, as well as socioeconomic status were not significantly associated with IBS (P&gt;0.05). &#x0D; Conclusion The prevalence of IBS in adolescents is 4.8%. History of gastrointestinal infection is a risk factor for IBS.

Prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome in Irkutsk

Introduction. The study of the problem of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in recent years has been very dynamic. In the Rome IV criteria, new criteria for the diagnosis of this pathology were proposed. Along with the existence of ethnic and geographic differ­ences, this has led to an increase in the activity of studies on the prevalence of IBS.Aim. To study the prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome in Irkutsk.Materials and methods. A single-stage observational non-randomized study was performed on the basis of three medical institu­tions in Irkutsk. Interviewing and clinical examination were performed in 1 529 people: 724 men and 805 women, average age 51.0 years. The questionnaire contained questions to determine the presence of alarm symptoms. The diagnosis of IBS was based on the Rome IV criteria. IBS with a predominance of diarrhea, IBS with a predominance of constipation and mixed and undiffer­entiated IBS were distinguished. Taking into account the position of the Rome IV criteria and the recommendations of the American College of Gastroenterology (2021), we used a positive diagnosis of IBS in our study and did not perform an instrumental examination of patients.Results. The prevalence of IBS was 12.3%. Among the subtypes of IBS, IBS prevailed with a predominance of constipation (preva­lence 5.7%) and IBS of mixed and undifferentiated type (prevalence 4.6%). Risk factors for IBS were female sex (OR = 0.73; CI 0.53-0.99; p = 0.05), age over 50 years (OR = 0.66; CI 0.48-0.90; p = 0.01) and obesity (OR = 0.46; CI 0.31-0.69; p &lt; 0.001). Risk factors for IBS with a predominance of constipation were female sex (OR = 0.46; CI 0.29-0.73; p = 0.001), age over 50 years (OR = 0.46; CI 0.29-0.73; p = 0.001) and obesity (OR = 0.41; CI 0.23-0.72; p = 0.002).Conclusions. In general, our results are consistent with data from other regions of the world. It should be emphasized that the prevalence of IBS in Irkutsk is quite high, which requires careful attention to this problem.

The role of intestinal mast cell infiltration in irritable bowel syndrome.

As an essential part of the immune system, mast cells (MCs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Accumulating evidence has identified altered MC count and density in intestinal mucosa of patients with IBS; however, conflicting findings yield inconsistent conclusions. Currently, most studies have suggested intestinal MC infiltration in IBS patients. Considering the pivotal role of MCs in IBS, it is necessary to achieve a better understanding about the pathological changes in the intestine. The risk factors for IBS, including dietary habits, psychological factors, infection, and dysbiosis, are implicated to induce intestinal MC infiltration. Mechanistically, food may trigger immune-related allergic reactions and affect the intestinal microbiota activity. Some exogenous pathogens and altered profile of commensal bacteria promote intestinal MC recruitment through promoted release of chemokines from epithelial cells or direct activation of the immune system. In addition, psychological factors may affect the microenvironment where MCs live. MCs have been proven to interact with the enteric neurons and other immunocytes, evidenced by the close proximity of MCs to neurons and regional altered immune system components. A variety of mediators released by the enteric neurons, immunocytes, and MCs per se, such as neurotrophins, neuropeptides, cytokines, and chemokines, may have stimulant effects on MCs by modulating the survival, proliferation, and recruitment process of MCs in the intestine. In this review, the associations between IBS and intestinal MC density and the underlying mechanisms are discussed.

Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Medical Students of Pelita Harapan University

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disorder with recurrent abdominal discomfort associated with abnormalities in gut motility. One of the risk factors for IBS is anxiety and depression. This study aims to find out the relationship between medical student’s psychosocial conditions, measured by depression and anxiety with incidence of IBS. Gastrointestinal-specific anxiety (GSA), a subset of general anxiety, is measured and its relationship with incidence of IBS is also evaluated.Method: This research is a cross sectional study. Sample consists of 168 medical students from UPH batch 2016-2018 that fits into inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data is collected with demographics questionnaire, Rome IV IBS Criteria, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21, and Visceral Sensitivity Index. Categorical data between depression and anxiety and IBS is analyzed with Chi Square. GSA is a numerical data and its relationship with IBS is analyzed with t-test. Because GSA All statistical data is analyzed using SPSS version 22.0.Results: Results showed that from 168 samples that are acquired for this research, 65 (38,7%) are IBS and 103 (61,3%) are non-IBS. Significant associations are found between depression (p=0,03), anxiety (p=0,039), gastrointestinal-specific anxiety (p0,001), and obesity (p=0,026) with incidence of IBS.Conclusion: There is a significant association between depression and anxiety with incidence of IBS.

Retracted: Prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel disease among medical students at Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder in the human bowel, causing a range of conditions and reactions, including pain, abdominal discomfort, and changes in bowel movement and reflux. Therefore, we seek to explore the frequencies of IBS and investigate the risk factors associated with this disorder among medical students at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: An online, anonymous, cross-sectional, self-rating survey was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to investigate IBS’s essential risk factors among medical college students since the outcome variable is dichotomous, i.e., whether students have IBS or not. Results: The prevalence of IBS among medical students was 35%. Multiple logistic regression analysis with backward procedure selection indicates that three significant risk factors are significantly associated with IBS, i.e., students with stress/anxiety/depression, pain/discomfort for 6 months or longer, and medical college as first ambition were more likely to develop IBS. The odds of having IBS was approximately four times higher among students with discomfort (x2 = 18.27, p < 0.001, Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.71) than those without. The odds of having IBS was almost three times higher among students who have stress or depression than those who do not (x2 = 8.19, p < 0.004, OR = 2.89). Lastly, the odds of having IBS were more than 2.5 times higher among students who have medical college as their first ambition than those who do not ( x2=5.32, p < 0.021, OR = 2.64). Conclusion: A relatively high prevalence among medical students was indicated in this study. Depression, discomfort/pain, and medical college as first ambition were the main risk factors for IBS.

Review article: the incidence and risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome in population-based studies.

In the absence of prior gastrointestinal infection, the risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are not well established. To identify the incidence and risk factors for IBS in general population samples METHODS: Narrative review of population-based studies. Electronic databases were searched using the keywords "incidence," "onset," "epidemiology," "population," "risk factors" with "irritable bowel syndrome" with subsequent hand searching. Inclusion criteria were: population-based, adults, prospective design (including retrospective case cohorts), clinical or research diagnosis of IBS and exclusion of individuals who had IBS prior to recruitment. Of 1963 papers, 38 were included; all provided data on risk factors, 27 reported incidence. The median incidence of physician-diagnosed IBS in 19 general population cohorts was 38.5 per 10000 person-years (interquartile range=20-45.3). In 14 cohorts with specific medical disorders, median incidence was 92 per 10000 person-years (IQR: 73.9-119). Apart from gastroenteritis, the most common risk factors were other medical disorders, female sex, age (both young and old), anxiety and depression, life events/stress, frequent healthcare use, pain and sleep disorders. The results were conflicting for alcohol consumption, smoking and BMI. Incidence rates were similar in different countries but risk factors differed. Incidence rates were generally lower than previous estimates reflecting physician-diagnosed IBS. The results highlight the importance of other medical and psychosocial problems in the onset of IBS in addition to prior gastrointestinal infections. Aetiological research could be enhanced by studying the underlying mechanisms relating to all of these risk factors.

Risk factors for upper and lower functional gastrointestinal disorders in Persian Gulf War Veterans during and post-deployment.

Gastroenteritis is a risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its role in other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) is less clear. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of FGIDs in Gulf War (GW) Veterans before, during, and after deployment and to determine whether gastroenteritis was a risk factor for upper and lower FGIDs. The Veterans who served during the Persian GW were mailed validated questionnaires inquiring about their bowel habits, psychological and extra-intestinal symptoms, and quality of life (QOL). The lactulose hydrogen breath test (LBT) was performed for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Data were analyzed from 468 GW Veterans. The prevalence of FGID before, during, and 16years after deployment was 15.7%, 49.9%, and 64.2%, respectively. New FGIDs during deployment was reported by 41.2%, and during 16years after deployment, 43.7% acquired new FGIDs. FGIDs were associated with psychological disorders, extra-intestinal symptoms, and lower QOL. Gastroenteritis was reported by 44.3% of deployed Veterans and was a risk factor for IBS, dyspepsia, and functional diarrhea post-deployment. The cases and controls did not differ significantly in the frequency of positive LBT. There is an increase in the prevalence of FGIDs during deployment, and it persists after deployment. There is a further increase in the prevalence of FGIDs after deployment. In addition to IBS, gastroenteritis during deployment is a risk factor for dyspepsia and functional diarrhea post-deployment. Therefore, prevention of gastroenteritis during deployment and screening of Veterans for FGIDs post-deployment would be of value for Veterans' long-term health.

Irritable bowel syndrome, mental health, and quality of life: Data from a population-based survey in Germany (SHIP-Trend-0).

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with reduced quality of life and high healthcare costs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for IBS in a general adult population. The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) is a population-based cohort study in northeastern Germany. SHIP-Trend-0 participants enrolled from 2008 to 2012 were grouped according to Rome III criteria (main criteria: abdominal discomfort or crampy or bloating pain for at least six months plus 2/3 additional criteria). Factors associated with IBS were assessed using survey-weighted backward stepwise logistic regression. The final data set included 4194 records. IBS prevalence was 3.5% (3.0%-4.2%). Unemployment (OR: 2.02, 1.26-3.21), headaches (OR: 2.37, 1.59-3.52), mental quality of life (OR: 0.95 per unit increase, 0.93-0.97), and interactions between gender and physical quality of life (P=0.004) and gender and alexithymia (P=0.002) predicted IBS probability. The model resulted in a good discrimination (area under the curve=75.4%) and model fit (F=0.72, P=0.69). History of depression (OR: 2.77, 1.94-3.95), back pain (OR: 2.38, 1.69-3.35), early trauma (OR: 1.03, 1.02-1.04), and duration of inpatient treatment within the last twelve months (OR: 1.02, 1.01-1.04) lost their significance in multivariable analysis. IBS prevalence was relatively low compared to other studies. Factors predicting IBS were of biological, psychological, and social nature. The association between IBS and pain in different areas of the body indicates a potential underlying complex somatic symptom disorder.

Antibiotics: a risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome in a population-based cohort

Objectives: Use of antibiotics affects the composition of the gut microbiome. The microbiome is thought to play a role in development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but antibiotics as a possible risk factor for IBS has not been clarified. We aimed to explore if antibiotics is a risk factor for IBS by investigating use of antibiotics and development of IBS in a cohort from the Danish background population.Materials and Methods: An internet-based web panel representative of the Danish background population was invited to participate in a survey regarding the epidemiology of IBS in 2010, 2011 and 2013. A questionnaire based on the Rome III criteria for IBS were answered at all three occasions. In 2013, a question regarding use of antibiotics in the past year was included.Results: In 2013, use of antibiotics was reported by 22.4% (624/2781) of the population. A higher proportion of individuals with IBS reported use of antibiotics compared with asymptomatic controls [29.0% (155/534) vs. 17.9% (212/1,184), p < .01]. For asymptomatic respondents in 2010 and 2011 (n = 1004), the relative risk of IBS in 2013 related with use of antibiotics was 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–3.1]. Adjusting for sex by logistic regression, development of IBS was predicted by use of antibiotics with an odds ratio of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0–3.2).Conclusions: Antibiotics is a risk factor for IBS in asymptomatic individuals. Possible mechanisms should be investigated in future studies.

The Association between Central Obesity and the Risk of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Case-control Study

Background: Central obesity and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are common medical conditions with similar etiologic mechanisms. There are limited studies to evaluate the association between obesity, especially central obesity; with IBS. Establishing such association is important in the management of IBS. Objective: To evaluate the association between central obesity and IBS in Iraqi patients using Waist-to-Height ratio (WtHR) as an index of central obesity. Patients and Methods: Central obesity defined by Waist-to-Height ratio > 0.5. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for diagnosing IBS were used. A case-control study was performed at AL-Nuaman Teaching Hospital in the period from January 2015 to December 2015, Comparing Waist-to-Height ratio (WtHR) between 75 patients (with IBS) and 130 controls (without IBS) to assess the association between central obesity and IBS. Chi-square test with 95% confidence was used to evaluate association between central obesity and IBS, and Odds ratio (OR) for central obesity was determined. Results: There is significant association between central obesity and IBS, x2 (1) = 36.2, P Conclusion: Central obesity is significantly associated with IBS and may be regarded as a risk factor for IBS.

Giardiasis and Subsequent Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Longitudinal Cohort Study Using Health Insurance Data

Giardia intestinalis is the most commonly reported human intestinal parasite in the United States. Increased incidence of chronic gastrointestinal complaints has been reported after some giardiasis outbreaks. We examined the relationship between giardiasis diagnosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosis. We used the 2006-2010 MarketScan commercial insurance database. Persons with at least 1 giardiasis diagnosis were individually matched on age group, sex, and enrollment length in months to 5 persons without a giardiasis diagnosis. Persons diagnosed with IBS before the date of study entry were excluded. We calculated crude incidence rates (IRs) and developed Cox proportional hazards models. The matched cohort included 3935 persons with giardiasis and 19663 persons without giardiasis. One-year incidence of IBS was higher in persons with giardiasis (IR = 37.7/1000 person-years vs 4.4/1000 person-years). The unadjusted hazard ratio was 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.6-6.4), attenuated slightly to 3.9 (95% CI = 2.9-5.4) after adjusting for anxiety, depression, and healthcare utilization. In a large insurance database, individuals diagnosed with giardiasis were more likely to have a subsequent IBS diagnosis, despite accounting for confounders. Future research on risk factors for IBS among giardiasis patients and the pathophysiology of postinfectious IBS is needed.

Clinical features and risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome in Migraine patients.

Objective:Clinical and basic research increasingly suggests a correlation between migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study, we aimed to explore the clinical features and risk factors for IBS in migraine patients.Methods:This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. A total of 1,112 consecutive patients from the internal medicine and emergency departments of three hospitals from June 2014 through 2016. A comprehensive interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version).Results:The response rate was 94.6%. Among 1,052 participants, 287 suffered from migraine (27.3%) and 312 suffered from IBS (29.7%). A total of 79 patients suffered from both migraine and IBS (comorbidity rate: 7.5%). The migraine cohort exhibited a higher frequency of IBS than did the comparison cohort at baseline (P<0.05). Migraine patients with higher headache frequency, longer length of headache history, and anxiety disorders were more likely to also suffer from IBS (P=0.015). There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, family history, duration of headache attack, migraine aura, headache intensity, or depression disorders (P>0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated length of headache history and headache frequency were associated with IBS.Conclusion:Migraine patients with a long headache history, recurrent episodic headache attacks, and anxiety were more likely to have IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome and the perinatal period: lower birth weight increases the risk.

Early life events have been found to be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) suggesting a role in development of functional disorders. The study aim was to identify potential perinatal risk factors for adult IBS. Utilizing a population-based nested case-control design, cases who met modified Rome III criteria for IBS and age- and-gender matched controls were identified using responses from prior mailed surveys to a random sample of Olmsted County residents. Medical records of eligible respondents were reviewed for perinatal events of interest. The association of early life events with subsequent case status was assessed using conditional logistic regression. Of 3 417 respondents, 513 were born in Olmsted County and 108 met criteria for IBS. Due to missing records, 89 pairs were included in the final analyses. Logistic regression revealed only birth weight as a predictor of IBS. Lower birth weight increased the odds for IBS (OR = 1.54 [95% CI = (1.12, 2.08), p = 0.008]). Median birth weight was 3.35 kg (range: 1.96-5.24) and 3.57 kg (range: 2.18-4.59) for cases and controls, respectively. Maternal age, delivery method, and antibiotic exposure were not associated with IBS status but this study was only powered to detect large odds ratios. Lower birth weight was observed as a risk factor for IBS. It is not clear if in utero developmental delays directly lead to IBS or if low birth weight is a prospective marker for subsequent early life problems leading to IBS.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome among Medical and Non-Medical Northern Border University Students, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Across Sectional Study

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and alteration in bowel habits. Aim of the study: To determine the overall prevalence, prevalence of each type and risk factors of IBS among Northern Border University (NBU) students, Arar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Material and methods: We use cross sectional, descriptive study with multistage cluster probability sample. Using Rome III criteria questionnaire of IBS; which is a self-administrated consists of ten questions assessing the current status of an apparently normal person. The questionnaire is administrated to Northern Border University students. Results: A total of 228 University students of them, 94 (41.2%) males and 134 (58.8%) females were included in the study. The overall prevalence of IBS according to Rome III criteria in northern border University was (32.5%). The disease prevalence was 33.6% in females and 30.9% in males. Among the study participants, the most common type of IBS was the mixed one 12.7%, followed by the constipation predominant type 10.5%, then the diarrhea pre-dominant type 5.7% while the least common was unsubtyped cases (3.5%). Statistically significant increase in prevalence of this disease was found among female students (60.8% vs. 39.2% in males) (p-value < 0.05), the students who experienced psychic stress and irritability (79.7%) (p-value < 0.05) and students who were obese (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study concluded the prevalence rate of 32.5% for IBS among the students studying in Northern Border University. Stress and high body mass index were significantly associated with IBS. In addition, this study concluded that IBS was not significantly associated with socio-demographic characteristics and smoking.

A systematic review of the prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome among medical students.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) represents a great challenge to public health, particularly among medical students. The aim of the study was to determine the global prevalence and risk factors of IBS among medical students. Data were obtained through searches in PubMed, Ovid, the Cochrane database, Embase, Google scholar, Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) "Web of Science," and Medline from 1990 to June 2015. The search terms included "Irritable Bowel Syndrome" and "Medical students" and "prevalence, risk factors". More than 100 articles were reviewed, scrutinized, and critically appraised for the eligibility criteria, and the relevant articles were selected. Sixteen studies were identified, and the prevalence of IBS among medical students ranged from 9.3% to 35.5%. The relatively high prevalence among medical students may be attributed to their special stressful learning environment. Some studies found that female gender, family history of IBS, psychiatric stress, anxiety, depression, infections, dietary factors, and sleep disorders were associated with IBS. A relatively high prevalence of IBS was prevalent among medical students. Annual screening of IBS and introduction of stress management courses are recommended.