The O.M.G.E. Irritable Bowel Syndrome Survey

This paper describes the preliminary stages of a further O.M.G.E. survey concerning patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aims and methods were similar to those described earlier for other disease states and problems. By 1982, four centres had contributed 232 cases for study. The median age was just over 40 years, and females outnumbered males in three of the four centres. Overall, nearly half the patients had undergone previous appendicectomy; and most suffered from characteristic pain which was relieved by defaecation. Finally, the aims and prospects for this study during 1982-1986 are discussed.