Effects of irritable bowel syndrome on the health-related quality of life among the Saudi population

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive system disorder. Patients with IBS have a significantly lower quality of life (QoL). In this study, we aimed to assess how IBS affects the Saudi Arabian population's health-related (HR)-QoL. Methods: A cross-sectional Web-based survey was conducted with a representative sample (n = 1346) of patients who met the Rome IV criteria for IBS from all regions of the country between February and May 2021. The questionnaire surveyed participants' socio-demographic data (nationality, sex, age, region, marital status, level of education, and occupation) and included 24 questions on IBS divided into four categories: (1) diagnosis; (2) symptoms; (3) impact on patients' lives; and (4) management methods. The HR-QoL score was calculated using a five-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating worse QoL. Results: Most patients (83.3%) were diagnosed by a physician, and 66.7% had a family member or a friend with IBS. Mixed IBS was the most common type of IBS (26.4%). Factors associated with poor QoL and significantly associated with IBS included female sex, initial diagnosis by a general physician, intermittent symptoms, and being asymptomatic for weeks to months. Conclusions: Greater attention to the QoL of patients with IBS is required to help them deal with IBS and create supportive environments to reduce its psychological effects.

Keywords

• abdominal discomfort
• gastrointestinal symptoms
• health-related quality of life
• irritable bowel syndrome
• quality of life
• survey