Predictive Study of the Psychophysiological Symptoms of Chronic Stress and their Association with the Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Medical Students at a Public University in Mexico

The irritable bowel syndrome is reported often in the general population. Studies show that stress coexists with this malady. The purpose of this study was to identify physical and psychological symptoms of chronic stress as predictors of the irritable bowel syndrome in medical students at a public university in Mexico. A random representative sample of 561 students was evaluated in 2014. The Stress Symptom Inventory and the ROMA III Criteria were used. A multiple regression analysis was performed. This study showed that the psychophysiological symptoms of chronic stress: difficulties in concentrating, an urge to constantly eat, clinched jaw, abdominal pain, weakness-dizziness, anxiety feelings and constipation, were predictors of the irritable bowel syndrome. Therefore, the recommendation is to implement educational programs aimed at the identification and timely prevention of the psychophysiological symptoms of chronic stress as a risk factor for the presence of irritable bowel syndrome in medical students.