Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Its Association with Anxiety Among Students of Private and Public Medical Colleges

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by fluctuating bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, and bloating, without anatomical abnormalities. IBS symptoms are often exacerbated by stress.Objective: To assess the prevalence of Irritable bowel syndrome and investigate its association with anxiety levels among medical students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in medical colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from May to September 2023. A sample of 270 medical students was selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Inclusion criteria were consenting medical students, while non-medical students and those with insufficient responses were excluded. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including the Birmingham questionnaire (based on ROME II criteria) for assessing IBS symptoms and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Scale for measuring anxiety levels. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, regression and correlation tests were performed to assess the relationship between anxiety levels and IBS prevalence among medical students. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and results were presented in the form of tables and figures.Results: A total of 270 students met the inclusion criteria, with 108 (40%) diagnosed with IBS according to ROME II criteria. Females (52.7%) had a higher prevalence of IBS than males (47.2%). Severe anxiety prevalence was 19% according to GAD-7, with 43% of IBS-diagnosed students experiencing severe anxiety. Data analysis revealed a significant association (P< 0.001) between IBS and anxiety symptoms.Conclusion: IBS is prevalent among medical students, often exacerbated by stress and anxiety from their demanding curriculum. Patients diagnosed with IBS should be screened for anxiety and managed accordingly.Keywords: Anxiety, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, KPK, Medical Students, Stress.