Determination of the relationship between depression and anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome in faculty of medicine students

In our study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between anxiety and depression levels and IBS symptoms in Medical Faculty Students and to analyze the relationship between anxiety and depression levels and IBS symptoms observed in the same students. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire including demographic data (age, gender, current class, marital status and economic status), clinical characteristics (chronic disease history, medication history, psychiatric disease history and family history of IBS), defecation habits, Beck depression scale and Beck anxiety scale. It was applied via online method. The results were recorded and analyzed in the data processing form. According to the data we obtained, the average age of students studying at medical faculty is 21.3±2.2 years and the female gender ratio is 57.9%. The rate of those with a family history of IBS was found to be 7.6%. The presence of IBS was detected in 24.5% of the participants. Additionally, clinically varying levels of depression were detected in 65.5% of the participants and clinically varying levels of anxiety were detected in 68.8%. It was observed that the demographic data that had an impact on the development of irritable bowel syndrome were age and gender (p = 0.031 and p = 0.018, respectively). It was determined that the incidence of IBS increased in the presence of a history of chronic disease, a family history of IBS, a history of constantly taking medication, and a history of psychiatric disease (p=0.024, p=0.001, p=0.036 and p=0.001, respectively). It was determined that the incidence of IBS increased as the severity of depression and anxiety increased (p=0.001). As a result of our study, it was revealed that medical school students should be screened for IBS, depression and anxiety, and those with anxiety and depression should be evaluated separately for IBS. We think that awareness on this issue should be kept at a high level and training regarding this situation should be provided throughout the medical faculty. Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Student, Faculty of Medicine,