The American Gastroenterological Association has launched a new survey, funded by Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and Actavis, of the irritable bowel syndrome experience from the patient and physician perspectives.
The "IBS in America" survey will poll 4,500 patients and 400 healthcare providers, including primary care physicians and gastroenterologists.
"IBS represents a serious strain on our healthcare system — it is the seventh most common diagnosis among all physicians and is the most common diagnosis made by gastroenterologists. Despite that, public awareness of IBS falls behind other chronic illness, such as diabetes or heart disease or even digestive diseases like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis or celiac disease," said Dr. Michael Camilleri, AGAF, president-elect of the AGA.