Patient knowledge and educational needs in irritable bowel syndrome

OBJECTIVE DESIGN SETTING RESULTSThe majority of IBS patients (77%; n = 54) and over half of IBD patients (56%; n = 79) required further information about their disease. The primary issues for IBS patients were bowel cancer risk and diet. Queries about medications ranked top for UC, while prognosis and cancer risk jointly ranked top for CD. In the IBS group, 27% rated their knowledge as < 25 out of 100 compared to 10% of IBD patients. The perceived level of knowledge in IBS was significantly negatively associated with length of hospital consulting (rs = −0.32; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONMost IBS patients feel insufficiently informed, particularly in relation to risk of serious disease and role of diet. Educating IBS patients about their disorder may play a role in reducing healthcare use. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 12:39-43 © 2000 Lippincott Williams & WilkinsEuropean Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2000, 12:39-43