Screening for irritable bowel syndrome and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending outpatient clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

A BSTRACT Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem in Saudi Arabia. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered as the most often diagnosed gastrointestinal disease. So, this study aims to screen the prevalence of IBS and its associated factors among patients with T2DM. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in the outpatient clinics of a private hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, among 245 patients with T2DM enrolled in the study by a convenient sampling technique. Data was collected by a structured interview questionnaire. This questionnaire was composed of personal data, diabetes history, IBS screening questions, family history, and other clinical symptoms. Results: Among 245 patients with T2DM, 37.14% were classified as probably having IBS, while 1.22% were likely to have IBS. The mean IBS score was 11.17 ± 6.48. Female gender, younger age, unmarried status, family history of IBS or celiac diseases, rectal bleeding, and nocturnal gastrointestinal symptoms that wake up the patient were significantly associated with IBS likelihood ( P < 0.05). Logistic regression identified younger age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–1.00), family history of celiac disease (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.35–5.97), rectal bleeding (OR = 4.15, 95% CI: 1.13–15.19), and nocturnal symptoms (OR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.69–7.47) as independent predictors of IBS. Conclusion: Probability of having IBS is common among patients with T2DM. Younger age, family history of celiac disease, rectal bleeding, and nocturnal symptoms were significant independent predictors of IBS likelihood. These findings emphasize the need for targeted gastrointestinal assessment in diabetic patients to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate management.