Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome: results of a cross-sectional study in Casablanca

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic intestinal disorder that affects plenty of people worldwide. It is mainly characterized by abdominal pain at least once a week during the last three months, associated with a change in stool form or frequency. While its global prevalence appears to vary widely between different countries, data in the Arab world, and more specifically in Morocco, remains non-existent. Aim Our aim is to determine the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Casablanca. Method Descriptive study conducted in various health centers in Casablanca involving 411 participants. Data was collected using a questionnaire developed and administered by a dietitian and covering the participants’ sociodemographic variables, in addition to the Rome IV criteria for diagnosis. The entire protocol was validated by an ethics committee. Results The study concluded that the prevalence was 23%. Our sample consisted of 116 men vs. 295 women with a mean age of 42.7 years. The distribution according to disease subtypes was as follows: 49% IBS-C, 18% IBS-D, and 33% IBS-M. Conclusion IBS is common in the population of Casablanca, with a prevalence similar to that in Arab countries. The major challenge is to extend this work to other regions of the country.