Prevalence of and factors associated with symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome among resident physicians in standardised training in China: a cross-sectional study.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive condition that causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation. It is often linked to stress and emotional wellbeing — and a new study published in BMJ Open shows just how strong that connection can be, even among healthcare professionals.

Researchers surveyed 514 resident physicians in training at eight Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospitals across China. They wanted to understand how common IBS was among these doctors and what factors might be linked to developing it.

The results were eye-opening. Around 8.6% of the resident doctors showed symptoms consistent with an IBS diagnosis. Interestingly, factors like working night shifts or overtime did not significantly affect IBS rates. However, higher levels of perceived stress and symptoms of depression were significantly associated with IBS. In fact, depression symptoms were the standout factor most strongly linked to an IBS diagnosis.

For patients living with IBS, this research reinforces something many already sense — that the gut and the mind are deeply connected. This is sometimes called the gut-brain axis, and it is a concept central to Traditional Chinese Medicine, which has long viewed digestive health as inseparable from emotional balance.

Acupuncture and TCM offer a whole-person approach to IBS that addresses both the physical symptoms and the underlying emotional contributors like stress and depression. Research increasingly supports acupuncture as a helpful complementary therapy for IBS, with treatments aimed at calming the nervous system, regulating digestion, and supporting emotional resilience.

If you are struggling with IBS — especially alongside stress or low mood — acupuncture may be worth exploring as part of your care plan. Always seek treatment from a qualified, licensed acupuncture practitioner.

This cross-sectional study (BMJ Open) surveyed 514 resident physicians in standardised training across eight TCM hospitals in China to assess IBS prevalence and associated psychosocial factors using validated instruments: the PSS-4, PHQ-4, PSQI, and Rome IV diagnostic criteria. The sample was predominantly female (77.2%). IBS symptom prevalence was 8.6%. Multivariate logistic regression identified depression symptoms as significantly associated with IBS (unadjusted OR 0.498, 95% CI 0.265–0.935, p=0.030). Perceived stress scores were also significantly elevated in the IBS group (p=0.028), as were combined PHQ-4 scores (p=0.012). Notably, sleep quality (PSQI) and lifestyle variables — including night shifts, overtime, and pandemic-related work changes — did not reach statistical significance. Clinical takeaway: psychoemotional factors, particularly depression and perceived stress, appear to be key IBS drivers in this population. TCM practitioners should prioritise screening for and addressing emotional distress — through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mind-body interventions — as a core component of IBS management protocols.