[Irritable bowel syndrome and healthcare consumption. An observational study in private gastroenterology].
OBJECTIVE
Little data is available on the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in daily practice. The purpose of our study was to study the relationship between the severity of IBS and healthcare consumption.


METHODS
During a cross-sectional epidemiological study undertaken by 330 private gastro-enterologists, the severity of IBS symptoms experienced by patients was quantified with Francis' score (limits 0-500) to study the relationship with the healthcare consumption.


RESULTS
Data obtained from 1407 patients (mean age: 52.3 +/- 15 years, females: 68%) were analysed. Symptoms were usually long-lasting (mean duration: 134.1 +/- 128.4 months); they had required on average 5.7 +/- 4.5 medical visits in the past year including 2.3 +/- 2.1 visits to a gastroenterologist. The mean number of additional investigations performed by patient was 1.3 +/- 1.4. Ninety one percent of them took at least one medication. The mean severity score was 268.5 +/- 85.2. Patients' distribution according to severity showed that 47.3% of the patients had symptoms of moderate severity and 44.9% of high severity. There was a significant relationship between, in one hand, severity of symptoms and, in the other hand, the number of visits (P<0.001), the number of additional investigations (P<0.001) and the number of prescribed medications (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
There was a positive relationship between the severity of symptoms and the healthcare consumption in private gastroenterological practice. The data confirm the significant burden of IBS in France.
Dapoigny
Michel
M
Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Hôtel-Dieu, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand.
Dyard
François
F
Grimaud
Jean-Charles
JC
Guyot
Philippe
P
van Ganse
Eric
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011331:Private Practice / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
Troubles fonctionnels intestinaux et consommation de soins. Etude observationnelle en gastro-entérologie libérale.