Prevalence of IBS among Qassim school teachers and its impact on their performance & quality of life

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequent, costly, and potentially disabling gastrointestinal disorder. School teaching is among the most challenging and the most stressful careers, and this may predispose to high rates of IBS. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of IBS among school teachers in Qassim region, and its impact on their performance as teachers & quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300school teachers selected by multistage stratified random sample method in 2013. A confidential, anonymous, and self-administered questionnaire was used to collect personal and sociodemographic data, teacher performance oriented questions. Rome III Criteria were used to diagnose IBS. Results: The prevalence of IBS symptoms among teachers in Qassim region of Saudi Arabia is 40.7% with no significant gender predilection. The IBS symptoms significantly affect the work performance of the teachers (61.6%) with high absenteeism rate (46.6%) especially among 51-60y and 21-30y age groups (p