IBS patients' willingness to take risks with medications.
OBJECTIVE
We explored irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients' impulsivity and risk-taking behavior and their willingness to take medication risks.


METHODS
A validated questionnaire assessed the illness experience of IBS patients. A standard gamble evaluated respondents' willingness to take medication risks.


RESULTS
IBS patients with severe symptoms were more willing to take significant medication risks than those with mild or moderate symptoms. Impulsivity scores were not associated with an increased likelihood of taking medication risks. Age, gender, and years of IBS symptoms were not associated with medication risk-taking behavior. IBS patients reported they would accept a median 1% risk of sudden death for a 99% chance of cure for their symptoms using a hypothetical medication.


CONCLUSIONS
IBS patients are willing to take significant medication risks to cure their symptoms. To counsel patients effectively, physicians must determine and understand IBS patients' risk aversion.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, USA. Brian.E.Lacy@Hitchcock.org
Brian E
BE
Lacy
Kelly K
KK
Everhart
Kirsten T
KT
Weiser
Ryan
R
DeLee
Sebastian
S
Strobel
Corey
C
Siegel
Michael D
MD
Crowell
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000150:complications; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007352:Insurance, Life / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009511:New England; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents