FREQUENCY OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
Abstract
Background: This study was carried out to investigate the presence of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) in college students and compare its distribution in the non-medical college and medicalcollege students. Methods: We collected data from 508 students by inviting them to fill out aquestionnaire based on Rome II criteria for the diagnosis of IBS from November 2001 to February2004. Two major cities Karachi and Bahawalpur were selected and it was coordinated by thesection of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital and Quaide-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur. Results: A total of 508 subjects with males 43 %(220/508) and female 57 % (288/508) mean age 22 ± 2.8 years responded to the questionnaire.The overall frequency of IBS among college students was 34 % (171/508).There were 41 %(107/263) non-medical college and 26 % (64/245) medical college students with IBS. Abdominalpain was present in 100 % (171/171) with altered frequency of stool in 58 % (100/171) (p< 0.001,OR 12.5, CI 7.9-20.0) of students with IBS. The medical advice was sought by 38 % (65/171) inIBS group with 46 % (30/65) non-medical college school and 54 % (35/65) medical student(p=0.001, OR 1.9, CI 1.3-2.8). Conclusion: IBS is common in younger adult population ofPakistan. Its prevalence is higher in non-medical college students but health care seeking behaviorwas more common in medical students.Key words: Irritable Bowel Syndrome students, youngs, health seeking behaviorReferences
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