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IBS Demographics

According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), IBS affects 10%-15% of the adult US population

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is Very Common

IBS is the second most frequently encountered diagnosis in clinical practice, accounting for more physician visits than any symptoms except for those of respiratory tract infections, and it is the most frequent diagnosis made in a typical gastroenterologist's practice. ¹

Although Irritable Bowel Syndrome accounts for an estimated 2.4 to 3.5 million visits annually to physicians and 2.2 million prescriptions in the United States, up to 70% of people with IBS symptoms do not seek medical attention. ^{2, 3}

Antispasmodics Are Frequently Prescribed For IBS

In a recent survey of IBS sufferers conducted by the IFFGD, antispasmodics, such as Donnatal Extentabs, were the drug therapy prescribed most often for relieving the symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. ⁴

IBS Has a Serious Impact

In the survey, IBS symptoms were described as extremely or very bothersome by two-thirds of sufferers, in terms of interfering with daily comfort, work or activities with friends or family.

The need to either arrive late for work or school or to leave early due to an IBS episode was reported by more than one-quarter of respondents.

Missed leisure activities were reported as occurring among over two-thirds of these respondents. Those who reported missing leisure activities reported an average of 11 missed activities/occasions in the the three-month period, or almost one week. ⁴

1) Engstrom and Goosenberg, Diagnosis and Management of Bowel Diseases, 1st Edition, 1999.
2) Ruizgomez, A, Wallander, MA, Johan, SSMS, Garcia Rodriguez, LA. One-year Followup On Newly Diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients. Aliment Pharmacology 1999; 13(8): 1097-1102.
3) Houghton, LA. Sensory Dysfunction and The Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterology 1999; 13(3) 415-27.
4) Drossman, DA, Norton, NJ. IBS in the Real World Survey, Summary Findings, August 2002.