Gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome among medical students at Inner Mongolia Medical University, China: a cross-sectional study

There is little epidemiological research on Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Inner Mongolia, China. Here we investigated the prevalence of IBS and factors associated with IBS in both males and females in Inner Mongolia Medical University by a cross-sectional study. We recruited Inner Mongolia Medical University students residing in campus and asked them to complete a self-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of IBS in each factor we chose in all, male, and female students was determined. We assessed IBS subtypes in male and female students. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the factors associated with IBS in male and female students. The overall prevalence of IBS was 29.5%. The prevalence of IBS in female students was significantly higher than that in male students (31.3% vs. 24.8%, p<.001). Logistic regression results showed that attempting to lose weight and anxiety were both associated with increasing odds of IBS, while exercise was not associated with IBS in either male or female students. In female students, snack consumption and depression were also both associated with increasing odds of IBS. The predominant IBS subtype was the diarrhea-predominant type in both male and female students. Considering the high prevalence of IBS in students and the fact that the factors associated with IBS can be improved by individuals, students should be given adequate education and counseling to improve their mental health and lifestyle, especially female students in higher grades.