PREVALENCE OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AND ASSOCIATED PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS
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Keywords
Irritable bowel syndrome; Rome IV; Anxiety; Depression; Stress; DASS-21; Young adults; Pakistan.
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its association with psychological factors among young adults presenting to tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan.
Material & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Departments of Gastroenterology of tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan after obtaining institutional ethical approval. Between September 2023 and March 2024, 341 young adults were enrolled using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured proforma. IBS was diagnosed according to the Rome IV criteria, while anxiety, depression, and stress were assessed using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of IBS.
Results: The mean age was 24.8 ± 4.3 years, and 176 (51.6%) participants were female. IBS was diagnosed in 97 (28.4%) participants, with the mixed subtype being the most frequent (36.1%). Moderate-to-severe anxiety, depression, and stress were significantly more common among participants with IBS than those without (all p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, moderate-to-severe anxiety (aOR=3.84, 95% CI: 2.18–6.75), stress (aOR=2.57, 95% CI: 1.46–4.51), positive family history of IBS (aOR=2.41, 95% CI: 1.34–4.36), female sex (aOR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.02–2.91), and depression (aOR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.08–3.33) were independently associated with IBS.
Conclusion: Nearly one-third of young adults had IBS, with anxiety emerging as the strongest independent predictor. Routine psychological assessment may facilitate early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of IBS in young adults.
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Dr. Muhammad Masood Khoso
Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology Department of Gastroenterology, Ward 7 Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) / Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi
Dr. Zaib Un Nisa
Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) / Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi
Dr. Mahenoor Channa
Resident MCPS trainee Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi
Dr. Tayyaba Jadoon
Medical officer Department of Psychiatry Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi
