The Relevance of Food Constituents to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Rome IV-Based Prevalence Study Among Medical Students

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Irritable bowel syndrome is prevalent in the general population. This study investigates the association between dietary intake and irritable bowel syndrome in medical college students at King Saud University besides its prevalence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is an analytical cross-sectional study of 426 students (271 males and 155 females, age 21.21 ± 1.58 years) from 5 academic levels of King Saud University Medical College. A self-reported questionnaire for Rome IV criteria was completed by each participant. They also filled out a food frequency questionnaire to assess their nutritional intake.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome was 17.8% without correlation to age and academic year in Medical School. However, the prevalence was higher in females than in males (40/115 vs. 36/235, P = .001). The irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more energy, carbohydrates, and saturated fatty acids, while the non-irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more fibers and niacin (P < .001 and P = .005, respectively).

CONCLUSION

About 17.8% of medical students had irritable bowel syndrome with a greater prevalence in females. The irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more energy, carbohydrates, and saturated fatty acids, while the non-irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more fibers and niacin. Our results did not show any significant association between irritable bowel syndrome and fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol intake. Overall, both groups were not adhering to the Saudi dietary recommended intake.

Identification of Education Models to Improve Health Outcomes in Arab Women with Pre-Diabetes

Few evaluations of interventions to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Saudi Arabia (SA) have been undertaken. The present study evaluates the impact of a 6-month intensive lifestyle modification intervention delivered in primary care. Females from SA with prediabetes, aged 18–55 years, were recruited with 190 participants eligible following screening and randomly allocated to receive a 3-month one-on-one, intensive lifestyle modification (intervention group (IG) n = 95) or standard guidance (control group (CG) n = 95). Participants completed questionnaires including demographic, dietary and physical activity data. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months. A total of 123 (74 IG (age 40.6 ± 9.8 years; body mass index (BMI) 31.2 ± 7.0 kg/m²) and 49 CG (age 40.6 ± 12.7 years; BMI 32.3 ± 5.4 kg/m²)) participants completed the study. After 6 months, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; primary endpoint) significantly improved in the IG than CG completers in between-group comparisons (p < 0.001). Comparison between groups showed significant improvements in overall energy intake, total and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in favour of IG (p-values < 0.001, 0.04 and <0.001, respectively). BMI and weight change were not clinically significant in between group comparisons. A 6-month, intense one-on-one intervention in lifestyle modification significantly improves glycaemic and cardio metabolic profile of females living in SA with pre-diabetes delivered in a primary care setting. Longer duration studies, using the same intervention, may determine whether a meaningful weight loss secondary to improved diet can be achieved.