Prevalence and characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] amongst medical students of Gilan northern province of Iran

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders characterized by non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain and altered bowel habits with no known organic pathology. Its prevalence varies in different communities. We performed this study to determine the prevalence of IBS in medical students who attended Gilan University of Medical Sciences [GUMS]. Medical students of GUMS were studying during 2002 academic year were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Within a specifically designed schedule, trained general practitioners performed student interviews. The interviewers used a structured questionnaire based on the Rome II criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS-10 software. Results were presented as percentages and the mean +/- SD and level of significance was denoted as a p-value <0.05. This study included 422 students, 148 [35.1%] males and 274 [64.9%] females, trained in various educational levels at GUMS whose mean age was 23.7 +/- 2.9 years. The prevalence of IBS was 12.6% [53 of 422]. IBS was more prevalent in females than males [15% [41 of 274] vs. 8.1% [12 of 148]; p<0.05]. Reported a Physician 37.7% of cases visit in comparsion to 17.6% of non IBS case [p<0.05]. This study shows a higher prevalence of IBS in medical students than in other sections of the Iranian population. A prevalence of 12.6% in medical students, who are in an active phase of life, requires careful planning to provide alleviation

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] prevalence in medical students of Gilan university of medical sciences

Irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders, characterized by non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain and altered bowel habit without any organic pathology. Its prevalence varies in human communities. We performed this study to determine the prevalence of IBS in medical students of Gilan University of Medical Sciences [GUMS]. Medical students of GUMS in 2002 enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Under a schedule they were interviewed by trained general practitioners with structured questionnaire, which based on Rome II criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS-10 software. Results were presented into percentage and mean +/- SD. Level of significance was denoted as p value less than 0.05. This study included 422 students training in various educational levels of GUMS, 148 [35.1%] males and 274 [64.9%] females whose mean age was 23.7 +/- 2.9 years. Prevalence of IBS was 12.6% [53 of 422 with 95%, CI 9.5%-16.1%]. IBS was more prevalent in females than males [15% [41 of 274] vs. 8.1% [12 of 148]] [p<0.05]. This study shows higher IBS prevalence in medical students than other published Iranian reports. Prevalence of 12.6% in students, who are in active phase of life, necessitates planning to help this population