Basel, 12 March 2003 - The Truth in IBS Survey (TIBS), published today in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics (Vol. 17, No 5), indicates that Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent disorder that seriously impacts the quality of life of sufferers. The TIBS survey, supported by Novartis, interviewed nearly 42 000 people from eight European countries and is the first pan-European survey to assess the prevalence, symptoms, and impact of IBS.
According to the survey results, the majority of IBS sufferers experience the distinct symptoms known to be associated with IBS (i.e. abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation). However, only 2.8% of people surveyed exhibiting these symptoms had been previously diagnosed by a doctor. In addition, 78% of IBS sufferers reported that their general state of health affected their lives. Specific aspects of their lifestyles that were negatively impacted by IBS were diet, concentration, long journeys, physical appearance, the ability to eat out, the ability to lead a "normal" life and sexual relationships. In addition, IBS sufferers reported having more interferences with everyday activities, with an average 3.9 days spent in bed, 5.5 sick days off work, 8.4 days seeing a doctor or nurse and 10.2 days when activities had to be cut short per year.
"The survey, the largest of its kind conducted in Europe, reveals the scale and impact of IBS and the need to be more aware of its existence," said lead investigator A. Pali S. Hungin, Dean of Medicine, University of Durham, UK. "IBS is a disorder that can permeate every sphere of patients' lives, from their jobs and work to sex and family relationships, it is relatively common and often debilitating ."
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is characterized by abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, and altered bowel function (constipation and/or diarrhea). Until recently, the cause of IBS has been poorly understood and under appreciated. However, in recent years, new research has yielded a better understanding of IBS and its causes. People who have abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating and constipation associated with IBS may have altered sensitivity and altered motility of their lower GI tract. This may be due to the way their lower GI tract reacts to changes in 5HT (serotonin), a naturally occurring chemical, in their body that regulates motility and perception of pain and discomfort in the intestinal system.
Key Survey Findings
Results from TIBS show that women are more likely (63%) to suffer from IBS than men. The chief symptoms experienced by IBS sufferers were abdominal pain (88%), bloating (80%), trapped wind (66%), tiredness (60%), diarrhea (59%), tightness of clothing (58%), constipation (53%) and heartburn (47%). On average, 69 % reported symptoms lasting one hour, twice daily for 7 days a month. Of all sufferers with current symptoms, 69% had taken some form of prescription or non-prescription therapy to treat their IBS. However, only 38% of respondents reported satisfaction with their treatment, a figure strikingly close to the placebo response rate in most studies of functional problems.
To date, much of the prevalence data on IBS have been influenced by the use of varying methodologies and diagnostic criteria. This makes comparison between countries difficult. Specifically, there has been a shortage of information on the impact and prevalence of IBS in European countries. By collecting data using a standardized methodology, the survey also confirmed the applicability of using randomized research techniques to conduct a large-scale clinical survey.
TIBS was conducted with approximately 5 000 people in each country via random digit dial telephone interviews. Interviews were conducted in the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium and The Netherlands. Respondents who were identified as having IBS (formally diagnosed or not) were asked to complete a more in-depth interview about the impact of IBS on their lives. Researchers used IBS sufferers' direct responses to determine the prevalence and impact of IBS, in place of referencing specific diagnostic criteria.
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2002, the Group's businesses achieved sales of CHF 32.4 billion (USD 20.9 billion) and a net income of CHF 7.3 billion (USD 4.7 billion). The Group invested approximately CHF 4.3 billion (USD 2.8 billion) in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 72 900 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com.
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