IBS Test

IBS Test Questions

1) How is IBS characterized?

• Diarrhea
• Constipation Gut Pain
• Bloating
• Gas
• Spasms

​These symptoms may be present singly or in any combination. It may be called spastic colon, nervous stomach, irritable stomach or rotten gut. There is no inflammation of the bowel present in IBS.

2)  What broad categories do IBS clients generally fall into?

• Those who can trace the illness to early childhood (average age on onset is 9-11 years)
• Those who can trace the illness to another specific illness or injury (usually age of onset is 20-29 years)

3)  What are the facts about IBS?

• Affects up to 35 million people in the United States
• Accounts for 10% of all visits to primary care physicians
• Accounts for 50-55% of all visits to gastroenterologists
• Each year 26 million people seek treatment for IBS symptoms, accounting for 3.5 million total annual doctor visits
• Affects one out of five people, two thirds of which are women
• Average age of onset is 20-29 years of age in adults and 9-11 years of age
• in children
• IBS is the second leading cause of employee absenteeism

4)  What is the impact of IBS on your career?

• Missed days                                   30% (1.7 days/month)
• Reduced Days                                41% (3 days)
• Turned down Promotion                16%
• Changed jobs, health reasons         9%
• Changed work schedule                  8%

5)  What are the Medical Costs Associated with IBS?

• $8 Billion annually in direct costs
• Increased physician visits for both GI and non-GI complaints
• IBS patients incur 74% more health care costs than do non-IBS sufferers

6) How can IBS disrupt your life? People with IBS have their lives disrupted by their symptoms on a regular­ basis.

• Abdominal Pain and Discomfort    113 days/year
• Bloating                                        130 days/year
• Constipation                                 156 days/year

​No figures are available for diarrhea. However, it is the more predominant of the two types of IBS and is thought to contribute to greater suffering and greater interference with daily functions of living than constipation predominant.

• 50% of IBS patients first experience symptoms before age 35
• 40% experience symptoms between the ages of 30 and 50
• The prevalence of IBS decreases beyond age 60