Over Four-in-Ten (45%) of Canadian Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Sufferers Say That IBS Has a Severe Impact on Their Overall Quality of Life

Toronto, Ontario - According to an Ipsos-Reid poll facilitated by The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help Group, Edelman Public Relations and Novartis Pharmaceuticals released today, reports that quality of life is significantly lower in people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) than in healthy people. In fact, over four-in-ten (45%) Canadian IBS sufferers say that IBS has had a "severe" impact on their quality of life.

In addition, 46% say they suffer from daily episodes while over a quarter (27%) report episodes two to three times a week. In terms of how long the episodes last, two-in-ten (20%) report that they are continuous. When asked to rate the degree of pain and discomfort that they suffer as a result of their IBS symptoms, a full 87% say that they suffer from "severe" (36%) or "moderate" (51%) pain.

In terms of symptoms, 85% of Canadian IBS sufferers also report that their symptoms are extremely (44%) or very (41%) bothersome, having a negative impact on work, travelling and socializing. Almost half (48%) of sufferers also noted that IBS has a serious impact on their daily life, such as work or activities with friends and family.

In addition, four-in-ten (39%) IBS sufferers in Canada have missed work or school due to IBS symptoms. In the past three months, sufferers report missing an average of six (6.0) days of work or school and having to arrive late or leave early from work or school an average of almost nine (8.7) times. On the social front, sufferers report having to miss an average of nine (9.3) personal leisure activities as a results of their IBS over the past three months.

People with IBS often suffer in silence because of their reluctance to discuss their bowel habits and pain with others. Canadian IBS sufferers report waiting an average of 5.2 years before seeking medical assistance for their symptoms. Strikingly, over one-in-ten (12%) say that they suffered for 11 years or more before seeking medical assistance. When asked if they felt comfortable telling others about their IBS, 84% said that they would be comfortable telling a family member, 63% would be comfortable telling friends and just three-in-ten (30%) are comfortable telling people at work.

IBS sufferers also visit the doctor more frequently than average, with three-in-ten (31%) reporting that they visited a physician within the past month and over a third (35%) having visited within the past two-to-six months. Additionally, over one-in-ten (12%) of Canadian IBS sufferers report that they are either currently or have been in the past, on disability as a results of their IBS.

These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid poll conducted between July 9-15, 2002 . With the cooperation of the IBS Self Help Group, an online survey was conducted among Canadian patients with (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) IBS. A total of 297 adult Canadian IBS sufferers completed the survey. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 5.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. Survey participants were screened to ensure that they were Canadian citizens and living in Canada.

For more details on the survey, please see the PDF Factum above.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Andrew Grenville
Senior Vice-President
Toronto Market Research - Healthcare Division
Ipsos-Reid
(416) 324-2900