IBS clinical management in Italy: The AIGO survey. Issue 6 (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carrara, Maurizio; Cabras, Francesco; Guerra, Vito; Camilleri, Salvatore; Gambaccini, Dario; Tammaro, Leonardo; D'Alba, Lucia; Turco, Luigi; Gasparini, Paolo; Solinas, Attilio; Russo, Giovanni; Pancetti, Andrea; Salvioli, Beatrice; Anderloni, Andrea; Bassotti, Gabrio; Lai, Maria Antonia; Antonino, Matteo; De Bona, Manuela; Boschetto, Sandro; Rentini, Silvia; Rossitti, Piera; Limido, Eugenio; Balzano, Antonio; Soncini, Marco; Stasi, Cristina; Usai Satta, Paolo; Milazzo, Giuseppe; Bianco, Margherita; Leandro, Gioacchino; Montalbano, Luigi Maria; Muscatiello, Nicola; Monica, Fabio; Galeazzi, Francesca; Bellini, Massimo;
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 51:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: 782
• Page End: 789
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Diagnosis -- Quality of life -- Treatment; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2018.10.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most frequent functional gastrointestinal disorder, both in primary and secondary care. Aims: (1) To describe diagnostic tools and treatments suggested to IBS patients by Italian gastroenterologists; (2) To evaluate patients' quality of life and psychological involvement and the relationship of these factors with symptom severity. Methods: Twenty-six gastroenterologists recorded the demographic and clinical data of 677 IBS patients. Diagnostic and treatment measures taken in the previous year and those suggested by gastroenterologists were analysed. Results: IBS with constipation was found in 43.4%, with diarrhoea in 21.6%, mixed-IBS in 35.0%. Routine blood tests, ultrasonography, colonoscopy, barium enema and CT were more frequently requested in the previous year than by the gastroenterologists (p < 0.001). Colonoscopy (11%), and ultrasonography (20.4%) were also suggested by the gastroenterologists in a non-negligible number of patients. Abdominal pain and distension, bowel dissatisfaction, anxiety and depression were more severe in females than in males. Quality of life decreased with increasing IBS-symptom severity. Conclusions: IBS diagnosis is still largely based on exclusion criteria even if gastroenterologists try to improve diagnostic appropriateness. However, therapy remains symptom-based also in the gastroenterological setting even if gastroenterologists use a wide variety of approaches, including innovative therapies such as linaclotide and psychotherapy.