Work Attendance, Productivity Improves After Consistent Treatment of IBS

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Work Attendance, Productivity Improves After Consistent Treatment of IBS

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/515544/?sc=dwhp

Newswise — A new study shows that treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

(IBS) with constipation may have a significant impact on absenteeism

from work, as well as improving presenteeism – defined as coming to work

but being less productive. Canadian researchers from The University of

Alberta and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada presented findings of a

study of tegaserod in patients with IBS characterized by constipation at

the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of

Gastroenterology.

“IBS symptoms of abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and constipation

are associated with impaired quality of life and are the second most

common cause of work-related absenteeism,” according to Dr. Nigel Flook

of the University of Alberta.

The study was conducted in a routine clinical practice setting with

patients from 481 community physician sites across Canada. Researchers

analyzed baseline data and survey responses at four and twelve weeks

from 483 patients. They found that treatment with tegaserod was

associated with a decrease in self-reported absenteeism in patients with

symptoms of abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating and constipation: 27

percent of patients reported improvement in the number of days per month

missed at school or work. Significant findings included improvements

among approximately 50 percent of patients in the number of days per

month when they accomplished less at school, work or home; while about

40 percent reported improvements in the number of days per month they

had to cancel or reschedule activities because of their symptoms.

About Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by

recurring symptoms of abdominal discomfort or pain associated with an

altered bowel habit, either constipation, diarrhea, or both. More than

58 million people suffer from IBS, which affects more women (80%) than

men. IBS is a real medical condition, but it is not life threatening,

and will not lead to other serious diseases. In IBS, the GI tract may

function differently, processing more slowly (or more quickly) than the

average person. While the cause of this different “pace” of the GI tract

in IBS is not known, and there is no cure, there are usually ways to

help manage specific symptoms. The American College of Gastroenterology

has resources for patients with IBS online at http://www.ibsrelief.org

and free educational materials are available by calling ACG’s toll-free

hotline 866-IBS-RELIEF.

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ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

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