THE PREVALENCE OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME AMONG PRIMARY HEALTH CARE DOCTORS IN MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH, SAUDI ARABIA

Background:Irritable Bowel Syndrome is found to be more common among health care workers. There are no studies yet that focuses on this issue among primary health care doctors in Makkah AL-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia and the definite factors affecting IBS are not yet established. 

Aim of Study: To measure the prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome among primary health care doctors in Makkah AL-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia and to determine associated factors.

Methodology:The study follows a cross-sectional study design, 140 physicians attending primary health care doctors in Makkah AL-Mukarramah were interviewed. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. It included socio-demographic variables and the variables used in Rome IV criteria.

Results: Irritable Bowel Syndrome is found to be common among primary health care doctors in Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The factors that were significantly associated with IBS among participants are social status, social relationships, having first degree relatives with IBS, increased nervousness and pressure at work, change in mood, and loss of interest.

Conclusion:The prevalence of IBS (29.7%) among primary health care doctors in Makkah Al-Mukarramahwas quite high compared to other similar studies. The most significant predictor among the said factors was having increased nervousness and pressure at work. Therefore, doctors should be screened routinely for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Also, these findings will help in the development of a more reliable assessment tool for IBS and its appropriate treatment.