Q&A: Survey reveals unmet needs in IBS symptom management, treatment
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Nearly half of the respondents in Salix Pharmaceutical’s annual patient perspective survey reported it was more challenging to manage their irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation symptoms during the last 12 months.
“The findings of this year's report illustrate a need for more meaningful health care provider visits to help improve clinical outcomes,” Robert Spurr, president of Salix, said in a company press release. “As many as 3.5 million annual health care provider visits for IBS take place in the U.S. each year, and it is our hope that this research will encourage productive dialogue and a collaborative approach to symptom management and guideline-based treatment options during these visits.”
Nicola Kayel, vice president of GI marketing at Salix, spoke with Healio about key findings from the company’s Patient Perspectives Survey and how the results can inform patient care going forward.
Healio: Why did your team undertake this investigation?
Nicola Kayel: This year, our endeavor was to gain a current understanding of IBS patients on their symptoms and interactions with health care providers. The report, “Patient Perspectives: Living with IBS Now,” also addresses gaps in symptom management and reporting and barriers to effective treatment.
This report and its findings reinforce Salix’s commitment to delivering impactful resources that inform the entire IBS and CIC community, address the needs of both patients and health care providers, and encourage meaningful dialogue.
Healio: Can you discuss the design of the survey study?
Kayel: The data is from a non-probability online sample of U.S. residents carried out in February 2022 by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s FDU Poll. Participants were recruited based on previously reported gastrointestinal issues. The overall sample size of the survey was 728 respondents, screened to include only those who self-reported having IBS-constipation, CIC or IBS-diarrhea symptoms. Respondents were drawn from multiple panels of U.S. residents and were compensated for their time. Due to the limitations of this survey, results may not be representative of the general IBS population.
Healio: What were the key findings?
Kayel: We learned that nearly half (49%) of respondents found their IBS or CIC symptoms more challenging to manage in the past year. Three out of four patients surveyed report that their IBS or CIC symptoms of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating have not improved over the last 12 months.
Another important finding is that almost all health care provider-diagnosed patients surveyed (92%) were initially diagnosed with IBS or CIC in the doctor’s office, which tells us that in-person visits remain critical in diagnosing IBS and CIC patients. Additionally, 40% of patients only discuss their main IBS or CIC symptom when meeting with their health care provider rather than discussing all IBS or CIC-related symptoms.
The survey also yielded important findings about symptom management and treatment, including that nearly one-third of patients surveyed were not offered a prescription medicine to treat symptoms upon diagnosis of their IBS or CIC.
Healio: What is the most important take-home message?
Kayel: This year’s findings reveal a need for increased health care provider-patient engagement and more meaningful conversations about symptom management and guideline-based treatment options.
Healio: How do these results inform care for patients with IBS going forward?
Kayel: As many as 3.5 million annual health care provider visits for IBS take place in the U.S. each year. It is our hope that this research will encourage productive dialogue and a collaborative approach to symptom management and guideline-based treatment options during these visits.
Healio: What additional research, if any, is needed?
Kayel: Salix is committed to understanding the IBS and CIC patient population and providing health care providers with the latest information about the patient experience. Through our annual surveys, we hope to continue to uncover findings to help physicians have more meaningful conversations with their patients about managing and treating their symptoms of IBS and CIC.
References:
- International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Statistics-About IBS. Available at: https://aboutibs.org/what-is-ibs/facts-about-ibs/statistics/. Accessed April 25, 2022.
- Patient perspectives: Living with IBS now. Available at: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9017851-salix-pharmaceuticals-survey-living-with-ibs-now/docs/PatientPerPDF_1648840448526-546630883.pdf. Accessed April 25, 2022.
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