title: Prevalence and demographics of irritable bowel syndrome: results from a large web-based survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder, and its prevalence and demographics have been evaluated by different methodologies with varying results.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate irritable bowel syndrome demographic and prevalence characteristics utilizing a web-enabled panel.
  
  
  METHODS
  From an existing 150 000-member panel, 31 829 individuals were randomly selected and sent screening questionnaires to evaluate irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Individuals who agreed to participate and completed the screening questionnaire received a second questionnaire related to a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, a more detailed symptom description, and additional burden of illness data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Irritable bowel syndrome prevalence was 7%. Prevalence was higher in women vs. men, unmarried individuals vs. married individuals and unemployed individuals vs. employed individuals. Of those completing the second questionnaire, 51% had seen their physicians for irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in the past year and most had an episode within the past 3 months. During the past year, approximately half of the participants had used a prescription medication, and over 90% had used an over-the-counter medication for irritable bowel syndrome. Participants with irritable bowel syndrome demonstrated quality-of-life reductions relative to norms of the United States population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Web-enabled data collection represents a novel tool for rapidly surveying a large population of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
authors.affiliation: RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hollis
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ameen
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Hamm
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tennis
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Mangel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology