Association between Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background: Sleep disturbances can lead to physical health issues, including functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Previous studies have highlighted the complex relationship between GI health and sleep quality. This study aims to assess the association between gastrointestinal symptoms and sleep quality in the Saudi Arabian population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 679 adults in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from May 2024 via an online questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed gastrointestinal symptoms using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The validated questionnaire was distributed online through a social media platform. Results: The study included 679 participants aged 18-50 years. The most common gastrointestinal symptoms reported were bloating, abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. The most common GI disorders were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (20.8%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (9.9%), peptic ulcer (2.9%), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (1.3%). Poor sleep quality was reported by 45.2% of participants, with the highest rate of poor sleep quality observed among those with IBS (87.2%), followed by GERD (77.6%), and peptic ulcer (70%). Conclusion: This study found that IBS and GERD are the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders, and poor sleep quality is common among affected individuals. The results suggest that interventions focused on improving sleep, in combination with a multidisciplinary approach involving sleep specialists and gastroenterologists, could help identify new therapeutic targets and improve sleep outcomes. Keywords: association, gastrointestinal, symptoms, sleep, quality, Saudi