Prevalence and Associated Factors of Irritable Bowel Syndrome among School Teachers in Al Madinah KSA 2021

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of IBS depends on specification of the characteristic symptoms and the exclusion of organic disorders. It requires a careful personalized methodology, an inclusive clinical history, limited but relevant investigations, and continuous follow up.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, identify associated factors and determine types of IBS among teachers working at governmental schools, Al Madinah (2019-2020).

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at schools located in Madinah city, Saudi Arabia From 1^st to 31^stDecember, 2020 among Saudi teachers working at governmental schools. Self-administrative questionnaire based on reliable and valid Rome IV criteria for diagnosis of IBS was utilized.

Results: The study included 576 teachers. Their age ranged between 24 and 60 years with an arithmetic mean of 42.07 and standard deviation of 7.09 years. Most of them were males (61.1%). According to the IV Rome criteria, the prevalence of IBS among the teachers was 25%. The only factor associated with IBS among teachers in the present study was age as the age of those with IBS was significantly lower than that of those without IBS (40.72±7.29 versus 42.52±6.97), p=0.008. Other studied socio-demographic factors, habitual factors and work-related factors were not significantly associated with IBS. The commonest reported subtype of IBS among the participants was IBS-with mixed habits (IBS-M), representing 56.5% of IBS, followed by IBS-with predominant constipation (IBS-C) representing 29.7% of cases and IBS-with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D) representing only 9.7% of cases.

Conclusion: Irritable bowel syndrome is relatively common among teachers of all teaching levels in Almadinah city, Saudi Arabia. Younger teachers were more likely to be affected and the mixed type was the commonest reported.