Eating habits, anxiety and stress levels, quality of life in students of the Medical Faculty of Novosibirsk State Medical University with gastrointestinal symptoms

Purpose of the study: to study the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in relation to the nature and characteristics of nutrition, the level of depression and anxiety, and quality of life (QOL) among young people.

Materials and methods: An anonymous online survey of 100 students was conducted to determine: dietary habits, presence of GI symptoms, level of anxiety, depression, QOL.

Results and discussion: the following GI manifestations were identified: dyspepsia syndrome – 45 %, heartburn – 25 %, belching – 20 %, flatulence – 60 %, diarrhea – 7 %, constipation – 12 %. The level of anxiety was increased in 48 % of students, depression in 18 % of students. Anxiety increases the chances of having dyspepsia syndrome by 3.5 (p = 0.008), belching symptoms by 3.2 times (p = 0.021), and heartburn by 2.6 times (p = 0.046). Depression increases the odds of having belching symptoms by 6.8 times (p = 0.022), constipation by 4.3 times (p = 0.026), and obesity in students by OR 3.5 (p = 0.040). Adequate fruit consumption reduces the odds of depression OR 0.4 (p = 0.0001); and fiber deficiency increases the chances of dyspepsia syndrome OR 4.7 (p = 0.013), eating prepared food increases the chances of dyspepsia syndrome (epigastric pain) OR 1.2 (p = 0.038). Students with HI symptoms showed a decrease in quality of life on the “physical pain” scale, associated with depression and anxiety.

Conclusions: it was found that anxiety is associated with the presence of dyspepsia (OR 3.5), belching (OR 3.2) and heartburn (OR 2.6), and depression with the presence of belching (OR 6.8), constipation (OR 4, 3), obesity (OR 3.5). Fiber deficiency and eating prepared foods increase the risk of dyspepsia syndrome (OR 4.7; OR 1.2, respectively). Students with GI symptoms showed a decrease in quality of life on the “physical pain” scale, associated with depression and anxiety.

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