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Irritable bowel syndrome medications side effects survey
1Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. alembo@bidmc.harvard.edu
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|September 15, 2004
Summary
Standard irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) treatments cause frequent side effects (SEs), leading many patients to stop medication. These SEs significantly disrupt daily life and healthcare utilization for IBS-C sufferers.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) affects a significant patient population.
- Standard treatments for IBS-C are widely used but their side effect profiles are not fully characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and severity of side effects (SEs) associated with standard IBS-C medications.
- To assess the impact of these SEs on patients' quality of life and healthcare seeking behavior.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to 25,000 individuals with physician-diagnosed IBS.
- 504 respondents with IBS-C completed the survey, detailing medications used, experienced SEs, satisfaction, healthcare visits, and missed work/school days.
Main Results:
- Patients with IBS-C tried an average of 3.9 medications, with 99% trying at least one.
- An average of 3.3 SEs were reported per patient.
- Nearly 75% discontinued treatment due to SEs, with many experiencing disruptions to medical care, work, school, and social activities.
Conclusions:
- Traditional IBS-C therapies, including laxatives, fiber, and stool softeners, are linked to significant side effects.
- These SEs negatively impact the daily lives and overall well-being of individuals suffering from IBS-C.