Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Global Challenge Among Medical Students

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been identified as one of the more highly prevalent and costly gastrointestinal disorders. Despite its uncertain etiology, risk factors, such as stress and academic load, are well correlated with the prevalence of the disease. Being in one of the most stressful and challenging environments, medical students are predisposed to have high rates of IBS. The socioeconomic burden of the disease on its sufferers is devastating as their quality of life is reduced, mandating additional health care precautions. The aim of this article, therefore, is to review the current literature about IBS among medical students, its prevalence, associated risk factors, and diagnostic criteria. Additionally, different solutions and management options are recommended to control the disease.

<p>Eating Habits Among Medical Students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia</p>

“…51 Many researchers have stated that medical students have significant amounts of stress throughout their years of university life. 52,53 The results of this study revealed that many students eat because of negative emotions like feeling lonely (44.7%), nervous (42.1%), or bored (51.1%). Conversely, others sometimes eat due to feeling happy (56.6%).…”

Factors associated with irritable bowel syndrome among medical students at Ain Shams University

“…Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by altered bowel habits with abdominal discomfort or pain with the absence of organic pathology. IBS is a highly prevalent disorder that has a great impact on patients' quality of life [21]. In this work, we aimed to study the frequency of IBS in the selected study sample and to find out the associated factors related to this illness.…”

Aquaporins 1, 3 and 8 expression in irritable bowel syndrome rats’ colon via NF-κB pathway

“…According to Rome IV criteria, the diagnostic criteria for Irritable bowel syndrome is defined as recurrent abdominal pain on average at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months, associated with 2 or more of the following:related to defecation, associated with a change in frequency or form (appearance) of stool [ 16 ]. IBS is a chronic biopsychological disorder which has complex symptoms appearing as altered bowel habits without organic pathology[ 17 ]. As we know, IBS is so common that it affects nearly 10–20% of adolescents and adults in western societies and is also the frequentest cause of children with recurrent abdominal pain [ 18 , 19 ].…”