title: A cross-sectional study of irritable bowel syndrome in nurses in China: prevalence and associated psychological and lifestyle factors.
abstract: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and associated factors, especially psychological and lifestyle factors, in nurses in China have not been investigated previously. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of IBS in nurses, to evaluate whether factors, such as psychological disorders, are associated with IBS, and to determine whether psychological disorders can influence the severity of symptoms of IBS and quality of life (QOL). A cross-sectional study was conducted for Chinese nurses from November 2012 to February 2013. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires. The prevalence of IBS was 17.4%. The revised symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90-R) scores were significantly higher for nurses with IBS than for those without IBS (P<0.001), and no difference in scores between IBS subtypes was found (F=1.893, P=0.142). The scores of QOL for nurses with and without IBS were 77.18±21.93 and 88.44±11.89 (P<0.001), respectively. Psychological disorders did not show statistically significant correlations with severity of symptoms of IBS or QOL. Alcohol consumption, low level of exercise, and psychological disorders were risk factors for IBS. In summary, nurses in China show a high prevalence of IBS. Psychological disorders and some related lifestyle factors are probably responsible for the development of IBS in nurses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China; Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100151, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qi-fan
authors.initials: QF
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Yan-li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shu-kun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015984:Causality; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); Prevalence; Psychosocial disorder; Quality of life (QOL)