Functional gastrointestinal disorders among adolescents with poor sleep: a school-based study in Shanghai, China

Purpose This study aimed to determine whether functional gastrointestinal disorders are more common among adolescents with self-reported poor sleep. Methods Junior middle school and senior high school students ( n = 1,362) were recruited from schools in Shanghai. Students completed two questionnaires: the questionnaire for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adolescents and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results The prevalence of poor sleep was 34.29% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 31.77–36.81] and there was no significant difference between genders ( P = 0.991). The tendency towards poor sleep increased with age, with age group yielding a significant effect ( P = 0.001). In junior middle school and senior high school students, the propensity towards poor sleep was 30.10% (95% CI = 27.08–33.12%) and 42.11% (95% CI = 37.67–46.55%), respectively. Among students with poor sleep, the prevalence of IBS was 19.70% (95% CI = 16.09–23.31). After adjusting for age, sex, night pain, and psychological factors, IBS was significantly more common in students with poor sleep (odds ratio = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.07–2.58). Conclusion We conclude that IBS is prevalent in students with poor sleep. Poor sleep was independently associated with IBS among adolescents in Shanghai China.