The spectra of selected functional gastrointestinal disorders in Sudanese University students according to the Rome III criteria

Abstract EN

The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) including functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation (FC) was not studied in Sudan.

Objectives : The aim of this study is to estimate prevalence of these disorders in Sudanese university students using Rome III criteria.

Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among medical students in Omdurman Islamic University during the period from January to June 2012.

The selected volunteers responded to a self-reported questionnaire based on Rome III criteria.

Results : A total of 348 subjects were studied.

Male: Female ratio was 0.

6 : 1.

Prevalence of FD, IBS and FC were 21.

6 %, 12.

9 % and 10.

3 % respectively.

IBS was more prevalent in females (16.

4 %) compared to males (7 %).

The most prevalent symptoms were postprandial fullness (74.

1%), straining during 25% of defecation (43.

9 %) and lumpy or hard stools in 25 % of defecations (37 %).

Conclusion: Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common in university students.

Further studies are needed to characterize the epidemiology of FGIDs in Sudan.