Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the demographic, lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Al-Jouf province in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among IBD patients in Al-Jouf province in Saudi Arabia, excluding those diagnosed before August 1, 2023, or after August 8, 2024. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed via social media, capturing demographic, lifestyle, dietary, and health history. The minimum sample size was 385.
Results: Of 1,012 total participants included, most were aged 18-29 years (41%), 70% were females, and 81% belonged to the middle class. About 9.3% traveled to high-incidence Crohn’s disease (CD) regions, and 30% and 21% had personal and family histories of IBD, CD, or ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD was significantly associated with male gender (p-value= < 0.001), smoking (p-value= < 0.001), alcohol consumption (p-value= < 0.001), stress (p-value= < 0.001), pet ownership (p-value = 0.043), and high consumption of processed, spicy, and fatty foods (p-value= < 0.001). Family history and travel to high-incidence areas were also predictors (p-value= < 0.001). Severity was linked to hygiene, symptoms, and healthcare visits (p-value= < 0.05).
Conclusion: IBD was found to be associated with younger individuals, male gender, stress, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, family history, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use. Public health strategies should focus on lifestyle modifications and early diagnosis to manage the rising burden of IBD.

Key words: Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lifestyle factors, prevalence