Even though 81% of health care providers agree that social media has increased awareness of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), symptoms continue to impact patients’ daily lives and productivity, according to a survey by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in partnership with The Harris Poll. Investigators added that less than 1 in 3 patients can very or extremely accurately predict when they will experience symptoms, which barely increased from 29% in 2015 to 31% in 2024.1,2
“The findings of this survey underscore the persistent challenges and impact IBS has on patients’ lives,” Andrea Shin, MD, MSCR, patient education advisor at the AGA and gastroenterologist at the University of California, Los Angeles Health, said in a news release.1 “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.”
The survey included more than 2000 patients with IBS, 300 primary health care providers, and 300 gastroenterologists and follows up the previous survey done in 2015. When looking at treatment, investigators found that respondents had modest satisfaction with treatment effectiveness and availability paired with patient-provider disconnect regarding prescription treatment. Only approximately 1 in 5 patients were very satisfied with their current treatment, with 25% and 26% of patients with IBS-C and IBS-D, respectively, being very satisfied and 53% and 52%, respectively, being somewhat satisfied. Although 60% of patients who have tried prescription medication said the medications were among the most helpful, prescription medications were not in the top 3 recommended treatments from health care providers for IBS-C or IBS-D. The top 3 for IBS-C were fiber (30%), nonprescription laxatives (26%), and stool softeners and lifestyle changes (24% for both), and the top 3 for IBS-D were diet changes (26%), over-the-counter medication for upset stomach or diarrhea (26%), and probiotics (25%).1,2
Furthermore, 45% of health care providers whose patients request a specific IBS treatment say they will recommend or prescribe that treatment always or most of the time; however, approximately only 14% of patients actually request it.1 Pharmacists play a large role in educating patients about OTC medication, lifestyle modifications, and prescription medication. In a study published in Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Open, investigators found that the quality of life was greatly increased for pharmacist-led intervention, which included education about IBS, the importance of medication adherence, symptom recognition, and improvements in lifestyle and diet.3
“IBS is a condition that continues to challenge patients to find a treatment that consistently works for them,” Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the IBS Patient Support Group community and founder of World IBS Day, said in the news release.1 “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.”
READ MORE: Digestive Health Resource Center
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REFERENCES
1. IBS in America: despite advances, IBS remains a burden for many millions. News release. American Gastroenterological Association. August 7, 2025. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://gastro.org/press-releases/ibs-in-america-despite-advances-ibs-remains-a-burden-for-many-millions/
2. American Gastroenterological Association. 2025 IBS In America. August 7, 2025. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://aga-fileuploader-bucket.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/2025%20IBS%20In%20America%20Infographic_final.pdf
3. Thong VD, Ngoc Phuc N, Quynh BTH. Effectiveness of educational intervention carried out by clinical pharmacists for the quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. JGH Open. 2020;5(2):242-248. Published 2020 Dec 17. doi:10.1002/jgh3.12477
Social Media Increases IBS Awareness, but Symptoms Continue to Impact Patients
Less than 1 in 3 patients can very or extremely accurately predict when they will experience symptoms on a given day.
Even though 81% of health care providers agree that social media has increased awareness of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), symptoms continue to impact patients’ daily lives and productivity, according to a survey by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in partnership with The Harris Poll. Investigators added that less than 1 in 3 patients can very or extremely accurately predict when they will experience symptoms, which barely increased from 29% in 2015 to 31% in 2024.1,2
Less than 1 in 3 patients can very or extremely accurately predict when they will experience symptoms on a given day. | Image Credit: eddows - stock.adobe.com
“The findings of this survey underscore the persistent challenges and impact IBS has on patients’ lives,” Andrea Shin, MD, MSCR, patient education advisor at the AGA and gastroenterologist at the University of California, Los Angeles Health, said in a news release.1 “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.”
The survey included more than 2000 patients with IBS, 300 primary health care providers, and 300 gastroenterologists and follows up the previous survey done in 2015. When looking at treatment, investigators found that respondents had modest satisfaction with treatment effectiveness and availability paired with patient-provider disconnect regarding prescription treatment. Only approximately 1 in 5 patients were very satisfied with their current treatment, with 25% and 26% of patients with IBS-C and IBS-D, respectively, being very satisfied and 53% and 52%, respectively, being somewhat satisfied. Although 60% of patients who have tried prescription medication said the medications were among the most helpful, prescription medications were not in the top 3 recommended treatments from health care providers for IBS-C or IBS-D. The top 3 for IBS-C were fiber (30%), nonprescription laxatives (26%), and stool softeners and lifestyle changes (24% for both), and the top 3 for IBS-D were diet changes (26%), over-the-counter medication for upset stomach or diarrhea (26%), and probiotics (25%).1,2
Furthermore, 45% of health care providers whose patients request a specific IBS treatment say they will recommend or prescribe that treatment always or most of the time; however, approximately only 14% of patients actually request it.1 Pharmacists play a large role in educating patients about OTC medication, lifestyle modifications, and prescription medication. In a study published in Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Open, investigators found that the quality of life was greatly increased for pharmacist-led intervention, which included education about IBS, the importance of medication adherence, symptom recognition, and improvements in lifestyle and diet.3
“IBS is a condition that continues to challenge patients to find a treatment that consistently works for them,” Jeffrey Roberts, founder of the IBS Patient Support Group community and founder of World IBS Day, said in the news release.1 “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.”
READ MORE: Digestive Health Resource Center
Ready to impress your pharmacy colleagues with the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips? Sign up today for our free Drug Topics newsletter.
REFERENCES
1. IBS in America: despite advances, IBS remains a burden for many millions. News release. American Gastroenterological Association. August 7, 2025. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://gastro.org/press-releases/ibs-in-america-despite-advances-ibs-remains-a-burden-for-many-millions/
2. American Gastroenterological Association. 2025 IBS In America. August 7, 2025. Accessed August 7, 2025. https://aga-fileuploader-bucket.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/2025%20IBS%20In%20America%20Infographic_final.pdf
3. Thong VD, Ngoc Phuc N, Quynh BTH. Effectiveness of educational intervention carried out by clinical pharmacists for the quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. JGH Open. 2020;5(2):242-248. Published 2020 Dec 17. doi:10.1002/jgh3.12477
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SGLT-2 Inhibitors Decrease Risk of Serious Liver Events
Pharmacist-Led Nutritional Interventions Benefit Post-ICU Patients
Gut Microbiome Composition Could Be Linked With Risk of Cognitive Impairment
Importance of Skin-Gut Axis Communication in Homeostasis
TikTok Videos on IBD Provide Low Quality Information
FDA Grants Expanded Interchangeability Designation to Yuflyma