Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a commonly found global functional pathology with no detectable structural changes. It affects the quality of life and often coexists psychiatric somatic issues. We reviewed all articles published between 1990 April 2023. The databases used for data search were Google Scholar, Web Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE. Ovid engine was also to broaden strategy. Predefined keywords, including "Irritable syndrome" (MeSH) OR "IBS" (all fields), along "Saudi Arabia" "Middle East," avoid loss ambiguity. Any cross-sectional study that reported prevalence IBS in any gender, age, group Saudi population included. Data extraction independently performed duplicate mitigate bias loss. Statistical analysis proportion conducted by using Miller (Freeman-Tukey double arcsine - exact inverse). Out 350 records identified, only 38 studies included quantitative synthesis. total number participants 26,567, on basis predefined inclusion criteria study. StatsDirect software statistical parameters. Based identified studies, calculated pooled 20.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 17.8% 23.7% applying random effects (DerSimonian-Laird method). 21% CI 16.7% 25.7%) general population, 22% 17.6% 26.7%) students, 18.3% 13.3% 23.9%) healthcare workers. among 20.7%. pathophysiology complexed significantly affected genetics, diet, cultural characteristics, anxiety, depression, stress, sleep disorders. This fills gap understanding Arabia, contributing valuable this region.