Work Productivity and Activity Impairment in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A Multifaceted Problem. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Frändemark, Åsa; Törnblom, Hans; Jakobsson, Sofie; Simrén, Magnus
• Is Part Of: American journal of gastroenterology. Volume 113:Number 10(2018)
• Page Start: 1540
• Page End: 1549
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Stomach -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Intestines -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1038/s41395-018-0262-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-9270

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to be both absent from and impaired at work compared to non-IBS patients. We investigated the impact of IBS on work productivity and activity impairment and the relationship to disease specific and general health measures. Method: In total, 525 patients with IBS completed questionnaires assessing work productivity and activity impairment, IBS symptom severity, IBS-related quality of life and GI-specific anxiety. In addition, 155 of the patients completed questionnaires assessing severity of somatic symptoms, depression, anxiety and fatigue. Uni- and bivariate analyses were performed, as well as linear regression to determine factors independently associated with the work productivity and activity impairment measures. Results: Of employed patients, 24.3% reported absenteeism and 86.8% reported presenteeism because of their IBS. With increasing severity of IBS symptoms and GI-specific anxiety, higher degrees of work impairment were seen. Work productivity impairment in IBS was also associated with low quality of life. GI-specific anxiety was independently associated with absenteeism (R 2 = 0.23;p < 0.05), IBS-symptom severity and general fatigue with presenteeism (R 2 = 0.40;p < 0.05), IBS-symptom severity, general fatigue and GI-specific anxiety with overall work loss (R 2 = 0.50;p < 0.05), and IBS symptom severity and somatic symptoms with activity impairment (R 2 = 0.38;p < 0.05). Conclusion: Work impairment is a substantial problem in patients with IBS. A combination of IBS and somatic symptom severity, fatigue and psychological factors influence patients' ability to be present, active and productive at work. Based on this, a multidimensional treatment approach for patients with IBS seems logical.