SCIENCE OF IBS

IBS-D: A life of discomfort
and disruption

SYMPTOMS
Resources

IBS-D comprises multiple symptoms, but it is identified clinically by its dominant features of abdominal pain and diarrhea. In addition, patients with IBS-D typically experience urgency and bloating.1 While patients strongly desire improved symptom management, they often don’t clearly communicate the full extent of their condition due to focusing only on the loose stools instead of the multitude of abdominal symptoms. In addition to an open dialogue, the Patient Discussion Guide can be used to educate patients and help classify abnormal bowel movements.2

MILLIONS EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS NEARLY EVERY DAY

approximately 5%

OF American Adults suffer FROM IBS-D3

22% of patients

are not able to predict if they will experience symptoms on a given day2*

62% of patients

REPORT only having a few symptom-free days before symptomS return2*

IBS-D IS A NEVER-ENDING CYCLE OF unpredictable and bothersome SYMPTOMS2

Recurrent diarrhea and abdominal pain are the main symptoms of IBS-D. People with IBS-D often experience disruptive symptoms, including cramping, frequent bowel movements, urgency, bloating, and loss of bowel control/fecal incontinence.2,4,5

When patients with IBS-D were asked to rank their most bothersome and frequent symptoms, they responded:2

Most Bothersome Symptoms in Adults with IBS-D2*

Many IBS-D Patients Suffer from Symptoms Nearly Every Day2*

Impact of IBS-D symptoms on daily living

More than 80% of people with IBS-D avoid situations where there’s no bathroom nearby.4*

Nearly 70% of people with IBS-D report they do not feel normal or "like myself."4*

For many patients with IBS-D, the physical and emotional impact of their condition are intertwined. Urgency and frequency associated with IBS-D frustrate many patients, interrupting their ability to participate in professional and personal relationships. More than 50% of patients with severe IBS-D symptoms report being constantly worried about when symptoms would return.6 Those with IBS-D reported significant disruption in daily activities and ability to interact in social situations.7

IBS-D PATIENTS WANT APPROPRIATE TREATMENT1

58% want a treatment that improves their quality of life

49% would use a daily treatment for life if it prevented IBS symptoms

46% are willing to
try anything to
manage IBS

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

I have problems with diarrhea and major cramps. I have been scared to leave my house and I don’t go very far from home due to the worry of IBS acting up.8

The IBS-D problems have been getting much worse. I cannot do anything without the fear of having an accident. So many milestones in my life have been ruined for me because of my problems.8

IBS is my living hell. I hate it so much.8

FIND OUT how your
patients are feeling
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Impact of IBS-C
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diagnostic pathway

*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.

IBS=irritable bowel syndrome; IBS-C=irritable bowel syndrome with constipation; IBS-D=irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.

References: 1. Törnblom H et al. United Euro Gastroentrol J. 2018;6(9):1417-1427. doi:10.1177/2050640618787648 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. Grundmann O et al. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2010;25(4):691-699. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06120.x 4. Ballou S et al. Clin Gastroenterol and Hepatol. 2019;17:2471-2478. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2019.08.016 5. Marquis P et al. Clin Transl Gastroenterol. 2014;5:1-13. doi:10.1038/ctg.2014.7 6. Emmanuel A et al. BMC Gastroenterology. 2020;20(127):1-10. doi:10.1186/s12876-020-01252-9 7. Singh P et al. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(26):8103-8109. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i26.8103 8. Living with IBS: Personal stories. https://www.aboutibs.org/personal-stories.html