Browsing by Author "Lembo, Anthony"

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    Effects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome on Daily Activities Vary Among Subtypes Based on Results From the IBS in America Survey
    (Elsevier, 2019-11) Ballou, Sarah; McMahon, Courtney; Lee, Ha-Neul; Katon, Jesse; Shin, Andrea; Rangan, Vikram; Singh, Prashant; Nee, Judy; Camilleri, Michael; Lembo, Anthony; Iturrino, Johanna; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background & Aims Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with significant disease burden and decreased quality of life (QOL). We investigated the effects of IBS on different areas of daily function and compared these among disease subtypes. Methods The Life with IBS survey was conducted by Gfk Public Affairs & Corporate Communications from September through October 2015. Respondents met Rome III criteria for constipation-predominant or diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-C and IBS-D, respectively). Data were collected from 3254 individuals (mean age, 47 years; 81% female; and 90% Caucasian) who met IBS criteria. Results Respondents who were employed or in school (n = 1885) reported that IBS symptoms affected their productivity an average of 8.0 days out of the month and they missed approximately 1.5 days of work/school per month because of IBS. More than half the individuals reported that their symptoms were very bothersome. Individuals with IBS-C were more likely than with IBS-D to report avoiding sex, difficulty concentrating, and feeling self-conscious. Individuals with IBS-D reported more avoidance of places without bathrooms, difficulty making plans, avoiding leaving the house, and reluctance to travel. These differences remained when controlling for symptom bothersomeness, age, sex, and employment status. In exchange for 1 month of relief from IBS, more than half of the sample reported they would be willing to give up caffeine or alcohol, 40% would give up sex, 24.5% would give up cell phones, and 21.5% would give up the internet for 1 month. Conclusions Although the perceived effects of IBS symptoms on productivity are similar among its subtypes, patients with IBS-C and IBS-D report differences in specific areas of daily function.
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    Information- and Health-care Seeking Behaviors in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    (Elsevier, 2019) Shin, Andrea; Ballou, Sarah; Camilleri, Michael; Xu, Huiping; Lembo, Anthony; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and clinically heterogeneous gastrointestinal disorder that can be divided into 4 subtypes: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), IBS with mixed bowel habits, and unclassified IBS. IBS decreases quality of life1 and imposes a substantial economic burden on the healthcare system.2 To develop efficient approaches to address the individual needs of IBS patients while minimizing healthcare resource overutilization, it is important to identify the factors that drive patients to seek care, to clarify the burden associated with distinct IBS subtypes, and to be aware of the resources from which IBS patients seek health-related information. We aimed to compare healthcare and information seeking between individuals with IBS-C and IBS-D. Methods Study Cohort Adults aged 18–100 years were recruited from a national sample to participate in an online consumer survey study between September 14, 2015 and October 21, 2015 to assess healthcare and information seeking. Details of the study design are described elsewhere.3 Statistical Analysis Associations of healthcare and information seeking with IBS subtype were examined by using multivariate logistic regression, negative binomial regression, and the proportional odds model where appropriate adjusting for relevant covariates (age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, employment status, and IBS diagnosed by a doctor). Results Healthcare Seeking in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea Among 3254 participants, 82% (N = 2674) reported speaking to at least 1 healthcare professional about their symptoms. Women with IBS-D were associated with a decreased odds ratio of seeking care from an obstetrician/gynecologist or a pharmacist than women with IBS-C. Among those who saw at least 1 healthcare professional (N = 2674), there were no significant differences in the number of healthcare professionals ever spoken to. However, IBS-D was associated with a decreased number (8% less) of healthcare professionals spoken to in the past 12 months compared with IBS-C. Comparisons of reasons for which participants waited to seek care revealed that IBS-C participants (16.3%) reported that other health conditions took priority more frequently than IBS-D participants (8.0%). Results are summarized in Table 1.