Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) continues to take a substantial toll on patients, disrupting their personal and professional activities for an average of 19 days each month, according to new survey results from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).
The nationwide online survey, conducted from Oct. 28 to Nov. 8, 2024, included 2,013 U.S. adults diagnosed by a healthcare provider with either IBS-constipation (1,005 participants) or IBS-diarrhea (1,008 participants). Respondents did not have celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, or gastrointestinal cancers.
A separate provider survey, conducted between Nov. 15 and Dec. 9, 2024, included 600 healthcare professionals—200 gastroenterologists, 200 primary care physicians, 100 gastroenterology nurse practitioners/physician assistants (NP/PAs), and 100 PCP NP/PAs—each seeing at least six IBS patients per month.
Results revealed a decline in the proportion of patients who described their symptoms as very or extremely bothersome—43% in 2024 compared with 62% in 2015. However, 76% of patients still reported at least some difficulty managing their condition. Predictability of symptoms remains low, with only 31% saying they could reliably anticipate daily flare-ups, up slightly from 29% in 2015.
The uncertainty of symptom onset continues to disrupt daily life: 72% of respondents said they struggle to make plans, never knowing when their symptoms might occur. On the provider side, more than 45% reported usually or always prescribing or recommending treatments requested by their patients.
While 78% of patients with either IBS type reported being satisfied with their current treatments, only about one in five described themselves as very satisfied.
“These findings highlight the persistent challenges IBS patients face,” said Andrea Shin, M.D., AGA patient education advisor. “Even with advancements in diagnosis and management, the condition continues to cause major disruptions to patients’ personal and professional lives.”
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