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Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Romeo M, Palladino G, Cipullo M, Iadanza G, Olivieri S, Zagaria G, Mazzarella C, Durante T, Federico A. The Burden of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Medical and Nurse Italian University Student Population: The VANVITELLI-IBS Survey. Rev Recent Clin Trials 2023; 18:206-213. [PMID: 37157215 DOI: 10.2174/1574887118666230508154027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among medical and nursing students is a global challenge. Unfortunately, data on the Italian medical and nurse student population are scarce. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the prevalence of IBS in this setting and to evaluate the demographic, university, Mediterranean diet adherence, and anxiety factors associated with its increased presence. OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of IBS, anxiety levels, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in medical and nursing university students. METHODS An anonymous online questionnaire was sent to participants. Several demographic and educational variables were assayed, and the presence of symptoms associated with the definition of IBS (according to Rome IV criteria). In addition, anxiety levels and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were also assessed. RESULTS Of 161 students, 21.11% met the Rome IV criteria for IBS. Some subgroups, the out-ofcourse students or no scholarship recipients, were found to have a higher percentage of IBS (p < 0.05). Being out-of-course was shown to be associated with an increased and unreported risk of presenting IBS (OR: 8.403, p < 0.001). Levels of anxiety and adherence to the Mediterranean diet were significantly worse in the IBS group (p < 0.01). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of presenting IBS in our setting (OR 0.258, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Our sample of Italian medical and nursing students recorded a non-negligible percentage of IBS. Therefore, screening and awareness campaigns could be suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Gerarda Gravina
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Raffaele Pellegrino
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Mario Romeo
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Giovanna Palladino
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Marina Cipullo
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Giorgia Iadanza
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Simone Olivieri
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zagaria
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Chiara Mazzarella
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
| | - Tommaso Durante
- Mental Health Department, S. Pio Hospital, via dell'Angelo, Benevento, 82100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Federico
- Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", via L. de Crecchio, Naples, 80138, Italy
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