Data from: Change in quality of life for patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome following referral to a gastroenterologist: a cohort study

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic functional
condition, considerably reduces quality of life (QoL) and referral to
gastroenterology is common. Until now, however, the impact of seeing a
gastroenterologist for IBS on patients’ QoL and utility has not been
assessed. Methods: Patients referred with “probable IBS” to the Nottingham
Treatment Centre between October 2012 and March 2014 were invited to
complete a QoL questionnaire (EuroQol–5 Dimension) before their first
appointment. Patients with confirmed IBS who completed this baseline
assessment were sent follow-up questionnaires three and twelve months
later. Global QoL and utility were measured at each time point and change
from baseline calculated. Paired t-tests analysed the significance of any
change. Results: Of 205 invited patients, 69 were eligible and recruited.
Response at three and twelve months was 45% and 17% respectively. Median
global QoL at baseline was 67.5 (Interquartile range [IQR] 50.0 to 80.0),
with a mean increase of 3.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] -5.38 to 11.88)
three months later and a mean decrease of -1.82 (95% CI -16.01 to 12.38)
after one year. The median utility at baseline was 0.76 (IQR 0.69 to
0.80), with a mean increase of 0.06 (95%CI -0.01 to 0.14) at three months
and no change, 0.00 (-0.16 to 0.16), after one year. Conclusion: Patients
experienced a small but not statistically significant increase in QoL and
utility three months after seeing a gastroenterologist for IBS, which was
not maintained. Gastroenterology referral does not appear to appreciably
improve Qol for most people with IBS.