Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Psychological disturbance among medical Students and Interns In Egypt

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder. Numerous studies have documented strong association between IBS and psychological conditions. However, there is a noticeable gap in locally driven studies that comprehensively explore both IBS and its psychological correlates among Egyptian medical students, particularly interns. Aim: Our study seeks to address this research gap by investigating the prevalence of IBS and evaluating its relationship with anxiety and depression among a broad sample of medical students and interns at Mansoura University. Methods : A cross-sectional observational study was performed between May 2025 and July 2025 at the Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University. A convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit undergraduate medical students and interns. A self-administered electronic questionnaire yielded a total of 487 valid responses, which incorporated both standardized measures (Arabic version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Rome IV criteria) as well as tailored sections covering demographics and lifestyle-related factors. Result : The study revealed a high prevalence (33.9%) of IBS was present among participants, with significantly elevated levels of anxiety and depression relative to individuals without IBS. No significant associations were found between IBS and changeable lifestyle factors. Conclusion : IBS is common among Egyptian medical students, particularly in females with a family history of the disorder. The findings underscore a clear link between IBS and psychological distress. Further studies are needed to clarify the timing between stress and the onset of IBS. Moreover, expanding this research to other Egyptian universities could strengthen national insight and contribute the development of evidence-based wellness initiatives.