Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Dietary Habits in Northern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: dietary habit is one of the most universally recounted initiators of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The objective of the present study was to determine the role of some dietary habits in the etiology of IBS in Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: In this community based cross-sectional survey, data about IBS were obtained from 930 Saudi volunteers living in the city of Hail, Northern Saudi Arabia. IBS was diagnosed using Rome IV criteria. Results: The prevalence of IBS was 11% among males vs. 12.5% among females. The prevalence of IBS symptoms among males was 30% vs. 36.5% females. IBS was significantly associated with reduced water intake, the RR (95% CI) = 1.1800 (1.0146 to 1.3722), P = 0.0316. In the present study, the majority of the study population 904/929 (97.3%) didn’t accustom to vegetables/fruits intake. Conclusion: IBS is prevalent in Northern Saudi Arabia, both among males and females with relatively increasing among females. Low water intake and insufficient fibers intake (particularly, in vegetables and fruits) might be behind the growing prevalence of IBS in Saudi Arabia.