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. |
