Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40416122›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors Among Medical Students.

Ayaz Ali, Afaq Shah, Amina Amina, Zalika Aisha Ruddock-Scott, Zobia Shah, Valery Lopez Rios, Nimra Abid, Nida Gul, Kashif Khan, Shah Faisal

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Proteases and Abdominal Pain-Old Dog, New (Microbial) Tricks.Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology · 2026
    Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Ayaz AliInternal Medicine, MTI-Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Peshawar, PAK.
Afaq ShahMedicine, Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, PAK.
Amina AminaMedicine, Bacha Khan Medical College, Mardan, PAK.
Zalika Aisha Ruddock-ScottMedicine, Caribbean Medical University, Willemstad, CUW.
Zobia ShahMedicine, Shahina Jamil Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, PAK.
Valery Lopez RiosMedicine, Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Pereira, COL.
Nimra AbidSurgery, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Sciences, Kohat, PAK.
Nida GulMedicine, MTI-Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Peshawar, PAK.
Kashif KhanMedicine, Khyber Medical College, Peshawar, PAK.
Shah FaisalMedicine, MTI-Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Peshawar, PAK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Medical students, due to academic stress, irregular dietary patterns, and disrupted sleep, may be at a higher risk of developing IBS. This study aims to determine the prevalence of IBS symptoms among medical students, identify associated risk factors, and assess its impact on daily activities and academic performance. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in Peshawar, Pakistan. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire based on the Rome IV criteria for IBS. Information on demographic characteristics, stress levels, dietary habits, sleep patterns, and IBS symptoms was obtained. The sample size consisted of 480 participants selected through a stratified random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, and the chi-square test was applied to determine associations between IBS symptoms and various risk factors. Results The prevalence of IBS symptoms among medical students was found to be 60%. A statistically significant association was observed between IBS and gender, with female students being more affected (p < 0.05). Higher academic years had an increased prevalence of IBS symptoms compared to junior students. Additionally, students residing in hostels were more likely to report IBS symptoms than those living at home. Stress, irregular dietary habits, and poor sleep quality were identified as key contributing factors. IBS symptoms significantly impacted daily activities and academic performance in affected students. Conclusion This study highlights a high prevalence of IBS symptoms among medical students, with stress, dietary habits, and sleep disturbances playing a crucial role. Female students, those in senior academic years, and hostel residents exhibited a higher burden of symptoms. Early interventions focusing on stress management, dietary modifications, and lifestyle improvements are essential to mitigate IBS-related health concerns in this population.

Indexed as

dietary habitsirritable bowel syndrome (ibs)medical studentsprevalencerisk factors

Identifiers

PMID40416122
PMCPMC12103088

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.