IBS Survey Reveals Missed Days, Social Impact, Ongoing Need for Better Care

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common but often frustrating digestive condition that can affect almost every part of daily life. While awareness of IBS has grown and new treatments have become available in recent years, a nationwide survey from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) shows that for many people, managing IBS remains a daily challenge.

“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. “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 IBS in America survey, conducted in late 2024 with over 2,000 patients and 600 health care providers, looked at how IBS impacts life today compared with results from a similar study from 2015. It included people diagnosed with either IBS-C (constipation-predominant IBS) or IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant IBS). Health care providers surveyed included gastroenterologists, primary care doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who regularly treat IBS.

IBS Still Takes a Big Toll on Daily Life

The survey found that IBS symptoms interfere with patients’ productivity at work or school for about 11 days each month on average. That’s on top of another eight days each month when symptoms disrupt personal activities, like social events and hobbies.

Even more concerning, patients are now missing more days of work or school than they did in 2015 — 3.6 days per month in 2024 compared with 2.1 days in 2015. Many also report that IBS is affecting relationships, with 58% saying they spend less time with family and friends because of their symptoms, up from 48% in 2015.

Unpredictable Symptoms Add Stress

One of the hardest things about IBS is not knowing when symptoms will strike. Fewer than 1 in 3 people (31%) say they can accurately predict their symptoms on any given day — a number that hasn’t improved since 2015.

Because of this unpredictability:

• 77% avoid situations where bathroom access might be limited.
• 72% find it hard to make plans in advance.
• 72% say their symptoms keep them home more often.

These ongoing struggles can take an emotional toll. Many patients say their IBS makes them feel “not like themselves” (72%) or “not normal” (69%) or that it holds them back from reaching their full potential (69%).

How People Are Managing IBS

There are now both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription treatments for IBS — including medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) such as Xifaxan (rifaximin). However, the survey found that most people and their health care providers still rely on OTC options and lifestyle changes more than prescription medicines.

Common recommendations from providers include:

• Adding fiber to the diet.
• Using nonprescription laxatives or stool softeners.
• Making dietary and exercise changes.
• Taking probiotics.

Patients who do try prescription medications often find them helpful, but these treatments are not usually among the top three suggestions from providers.

Interestingly, while 45% of providers say they will usually prescribe or recommend a treatment if a patient specifically requests it, only 14% of providers say patients make these requests.

Are Patients Satisfied With Their Treatment?

The majority of patients with IBS-C or IBS-D (78% in each group) say they are satisfied with their current treatments — but only about 1 in 5 feels “very satisfied.” And compared with 2015, more doctors say what’s most lacking in IBS treatment is:

• Effective relief of abdominal pain.
• Better options for diarrhea or constipation.
• A wider variety of available treatments.

This shows that while progress has been made, there’s still room for improvement — both in the medications available and in making sure patients can access the right care.

“The findings of this survey underscore the persistent challenges and impact IBS has on patients’ lives,” Andrea S. Shin, M.D., MSCR, of UCLA Health and the AGA patient education adviser, said in a statement. “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.”