Importance of Research Into IBS

Scale of the problem

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects up to 1 in 5 people in the UK at some point in their life (1)
It accounts for 10% of GP surgery visits (2)
Heartburn, which, in some cases has links with IBS, affects up to 25% of UK adults (4)
Food intolerance was estimated to impact 45% of the UK population in 2009 with a 10 fold increase in the previous 25 years (5)

Not life threatening but highly life limiting
Having to deal day to day with the inconvenience and embarrassment of the condition
Exacerbated by stress but also causes stress – vicious circle
More sick days – each IBS sufferer on average has 17 days off work per year due to the condition costing the UK £500 million per annum (3)
Restricts social life e.g. reduces ability to eat out or go on holiday
Impact on mental health
Hinders ability to make a living
Restricts work choices e.g. must work from home
Reduced quality of life
Feeling demoralised when the condition can’t be helped
Seeking unproven and expensive treatments which haven’t undergone rigorous testing in the hope of gaining relief
Resulting in a money making industry to fill the gap