Despite Advances, IBS Continues to Impact Patients' Daily Lives, Productivity

Despite recent advancements in public awareness and treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), findings from a new survey suggest IBS symptoms continue to significantly impact patients’ daily lives and productivity.1

Released by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in partnership with The Harris Poll, findings from the IBS in America survey shed light on persistent challenges faced by patients with IBS as well as shifts in patient experiences, health care provider perceptions, and the treatment landscape for IBS from a similar study conducted in 2015.1,2

“IBS is a condition that continues to challenge patients to find a treatment that consistently works for them,” said Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the IBS Patient Support Group community and founder of World IBS Day.1 “The AGA IBS in America Survey sheds light on patients who are still not being offered a variety of treatments that could provide them with a better quality of life. This continues to result in disruptions to their career, schooling, and life with their families and friends.”

The 2024 comprehensive study included 2013 patients with IBS and 600 health care providers. Patient research was conducted online in the US by The Harris Poll on behalf of AGA between October 28 and November 8, 2024, among US adults ≥ 18 years of age who have been diagnosed by a health care provider with IBS-C (n = 1005) or IBS-D (n = 1008) and have not been diagnosed with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, or colon, stomach, or other cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.1

Health care provider research was conducted online in the US by The Harris Poll on behalf of AGA between November 15 and December 9, 2024, among gastroenterologists (n = 200), primary care physicians (n = 200), gastroenterology nurse practitioners/physician assistants (n = 100), and PCP NP/PAs (n = 100) ≥ 18 years of age who practice in the US, treat adult patients, see ≥ 6 IBS patients per month, and see IBS-C or IBS-D patients.1

Survey findings indicate IBS symptoms interfere with patients’ productivity at work/school for nearly 11 days per month on average, in addition to symptoms disrupting personal activities 8 days per month on average. Patients with IBS are missing more work/school days per month due to their gastrointestinal symptoms than they were 10 years ago (3.6 days in 2024 vs 2.1 days in 2015), and more report spending less time with family and friends because of their symptoms (58% in 2024 vs 48% in 2015).1

While fewer patients in 2024 report their symptoms as being very or extremely bothersome, 76% still reported finding it somewhat or very difficult to manage their symptoms. Of note, the ability to accurately predict symptoms remains elusive, with < 1 in 3 patients (31% in 2024, in line with 29% in 2015) reporting that they can very or extremely accurately predict whether they will experience symptoms today.1

In the 2024 survey, 77% of patients reported avoiding situations where bathroom access is limited, 72% said it is difficult to plan things because they never know when their symptoms will act up, and 72% felt their symptoms cause them to stay home more often. Additionally, 72% of patients reported not feeling like themselves because of their symptoms, 69% said their symptoms make them feel like they’re not “normal”, and 69% felt their symptoms prevent them from reaching their full potential/being successful.1

While over-the-counter and prescription medications are now available for the treatment of IBS, including US Food and Drug Administration-approved agents like rifaximin, survey findings highlight that patients and health care providers rely predominantly on over-the-counter treatment options and lifestyle adjustments rather than prescription medications. While IBS patients who have tried prescription medications report them as being among the most helpful treatments, they also report that these treatments are not among the top 3 treatments recommended by health care providers, which typically include things like fiber, non-prescription laxatives, stool softeners, lifestyle changes with diet and exercise, and probiotics.1,3

While 45% of health care providers whose patients ever request a specific IBS treatment say they will recommend or prescribe the requested treatment always or most of the time, only 14% say patients often do so.1

Most patients with both IBS-C and IBS-D (78% each) report being satisfied with the treatments they currently take; however, only about 1 in 5 are very satisfied (25% IBS-C, 26% IBS-D). Furthermore, compared with 2015, more physicians who treat IBS say effective relief of abdominal pain (49% vs 39%) or diarrhea/constipation (47% vs 33%) and the availability of treatment options (49% vs 34%) are what is most lacking in IBS treatment today despite advancements in the IBS treatment landscape.1

“The findings of this survey underscore the persistent challenges and impact IBS has on patients’ lives,” Andrea Shin, MD, MSCR, AGA Patient Education Advisor and UCLA Health, said in a statement.1 “Despite progress in the medical community’s approach to diagnosing and managing IBS, patients continue to suffer significant disruptions to their personal and professional lives.”

References

1. AGA. IBS in America: Despite advances, IBS remains a burden for many millions. August 7, 2025. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://gastro.org/press-releases/ibs-in-america-despite-advances-ibs-remains-a-burden-for-many-millions/

2. AGA. Landmark Survey Reveals Physical and Emotional Challenges Faced by Patients Living with IBS. April 12, 2016. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://gastro.org/press-releases/landmark-survey-reveals-physical-and-emotional-challenges-faced-by-patients-living-with-ibs/

3. Brooks A. Putting Patients First: Breaking Stigma, Dispelling Misconceptions to Improve IBS Care. HCPLive. April 19, 2024. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://www.hcplive.com/view/putting-patients-first-breaking-stigma-dispelling-misconceptions-improve-ibs-care