SCIENCE OF IBS

IBS is a complex and disruptive cluster of symptoms

SYmptoms
Physical Impact

In exchange for 1 month of relief from IBS, patients would give up the following for a month:1*

MORE THAN 50% WOULD give up caffeine

24.5% would give up cell phones

21.5% would give up the internet

Recurrent IBS symptoms create a Variety of issues

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) disrupts many aspects of patient’s lives, including social and intimate relationships. IBS sufferers feel frustrated, self-conscious, embarrassed, and fed up with their symptoms amongst other emotions.2

IBS is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Symptoms negatively impact sufferers and may be unpredictable day to day.3 IBS subtypes include IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS mixed bowel habits (IBS-M), and IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D).2

LEARN MORE ABOUT IBS-C
LEARN MORE ABOUT IBS-D

PHYSICAL IMPACT OF IBS2*

The symptoms of IBS are often so bothersome and unpredictable that they interfere with daily life at home, work, and school, and many people suffer for years before seeing a doctor. According to an AGA survey, the average IBS sufferer has 9 days of reduced productivity, 2 days of missed school or work, and 8 days of changed personal plans each month.

>50% of IBS SUFFERERS report that symptoms interfere with their quality of life

Majority of IBS patients
experience symptoms nearly every day

1/3 of IBS sufferers avoid situations where there is no nearby bathroom

DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES, PATIENTS DELAY HCP CONSULT2*

Many patients put off seeking medical treatment for their symptoms despite the pain, frustration, and embarrassment. For 61% of patients, a typical first response to symptoms is to hope they go away by themselves. 8 in 10 patients have talked with family and friends, in addition to a doctor, about their symptoms.

SYMPTOMS
BEGIN

~75%

of those with IBS symptoms
will self-medicate with
OTC products

3.6

average number of OTC
products used prior to
consulting a doctor

27%

of IBS sufferers reported using
OTC treatment for 1 to 5
years before discussing
symptoms with a physician

TALKING
TO AN HCP

3.6

average number of OTC
products used prior to
consulting a doctor

Downloadable Resources for You and Your Patients

An open dialogue focused on understanding the patient’s most bothersome symptoms may help reduce treatment delays and improve treatment expectations. The resources here are designed to help start the conversation and help with patient education and treatment management.

EXPLORE ALL RESOURCES

It’s sometimes hard not to be close to a bathroom. I’ve had to wear protective underwear. So that’s kind of embarrassing for myself.4

IBS doesn’t have an end, not really. It’s always there, lingering over your shoulder, awaiting the next opportunity to pounce.5

I had severe stomach cramps and was in pain all the time …  It went on for months and months.6

FIND OUT how your
patients are feeling
Previous page
HOME
Next page
IBS Contributing factors

*Data from a survey including 3,254 IBS sufferers (1,001 with IBS-D diagnosis; 1,000 with IBS-C diagnosis; 586 with undiagnosed IBS-D; and 667 with undiagnosed IBS-C) commissioned by the American Gastroenterological Association in 2015.

AGA=American Gastroenterological Association; HCP=healthcare professional; IBS=irritable bowel syndrome; IBS-C=irritable bowel syndrome with constipation; IBS-D=irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea; IBS-M=irritable bowel syndrome with mixed bowel habits; OTC=over-the-counter.

References: 1. Ballou S et al. Clin Gastroenterol and Hepatol. 2019;17:2471-2478. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2019.08.016 2. IBS in America survey summary findings. https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7634451-aga-ibs-in-america-survey/docs/survey-findings-pdf-635473172.pdf 3. Palsson O et al. Gastroenterology. 2020;158(5):1262-1273. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2019.12.021 4. Marquis P et al. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2014;5:1-13. doi:10.1038/ctg.2014.7 5. Living with IBS: Personal stories. https://www.aboutibs.org/personal-stories.html 6. Lacy BE et al. Gastroenterology. 2016;150(6):1393-1407. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.02.031