The truth in IBS (T-IBS) survey - healthcare utilization and medication use among ibs patients in the USA

The Burden of Illness of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Current Challenges and Hope for the Future

“…64 In the T-IBS survey, only 14% of IBS patients (n = 318) were completely satisfied with their IBS therapy. 51 In this study, 60%, 28%, 7%, and 20% of IBS sufferers used OTC medications, prescription drugs, alternative therapies, or no treatment, respectively, to manage their IBS symptoms. 51 Only 19%, 18%, 15%, and 10% of IBS patients reported that medical therapy was completely effective in relieving their symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, respectively.…”

“…51 In this study, 60%, 28%, 7%, and 20% of IBS sufferers used OTC medications, prescription drugs, alternative therapies, or no treatment, respectively, to manage their IBS symptoms. 51 Only 19%, 18%, 15%, and 10% of IBS patients reported that medical therapy was completely effective in relieving their symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, respectively. 51 Lack of efficacy and associated adverse effects are common reasons for patient dissatisfaction with traditional agents.…”

“…48 In the T-IBS survey (n = 318), a significantly greater number of patients with IBS underwent hysterectomy (11.2% versus 6.2%) and cholecystectomy (7.8% versus 4.0%) compared with patients without IBS (n = 4,301). 51 Significantly higher rates of abdominal surgery in IBS patients (appendectomy, cholecystectomy, hiatal hernia repair, ulcer surgery, intestinal resection, and hysterectomy) have been reported in several other studies. 50,52,53 These findings emphasize the need for an awareness of IBS as a diagnosis when patients who present with GI symptoms are assessed.…”

“…Many IBS patients are dissatisfied with the efficacy and safety of traditional treatment options, leading to numerous physician consultations, multiple drug therapy, and switching. 14,51,63,64 In the GI Sufferer Study, about 75% of IBS patients (n = 411) had consulted more than 1 physician, and more than 25% had consulted 3 to 4 physicians regarding their IBS symptoms. 14 Many patients try multiple traditional medications in an attempt to find symptom relief.…”

“…51 Only 19%, 18%, 15%, and 10% of IBS patients reported that medical therapy was completely effective in relieving their symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating, respectively. 51 Lack of efficacy and associated adverse effects are common reasons for patient dissatisfaction with traditional agents. Many traditional prescription and OTC medications taken for IBS can aggravate single IBS symptoms.…”