Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Dec;45(10):789-798. doi: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2021.12.008.Epub 2022 Jan 17.

Fermín Mearin ¹, Miquel Sans ¹, Agustín Balboa ²

Author information

¹Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Centro Médico Teknon, Barcelona, España.

²Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Centro Médico Teknon, Barcelona, España. Electronic address: agustin.balboa@telefonica.net.

Abstract

Introduction: In our opinion there is an imbalance between the relevance of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and the resources that are provided.

Objective: To review the different factors that determine (or should determine) the interest of gastroenterologists in IBS, comparing it with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For this, 7 different areas have been analyzed: (1)Medical impact; (2)Social impact; (3)Academic importance; (4)Clinical relevance; (5)Scientific relevance; (6)Public relevance, and (7)Personal aspects of the doctor.

Results: The prevalence is 10 times higher in IBS, which represents up to 25% of gastroenterologist visits. Both pathologies alter the quality of life, in many cases in a similar way. The social cost is very important in both cases (e.g.: absenteeism of 21% and 18%) as well as the economic cost, although much higher in medication for IBD. Academic dedication is more than double for IBD, both in university and in MIR training. Scientific relevance is greater in IBD, with a number of publications four times higher. Public relevance is not very different between the two entities, although IBD patients are more associative. Doctors prefer IBD and tend to stigmatize IBS.

Conclusion: In our opinion, to reduce this imbalance between needs and resources, human and material, in IBS it is essential to make drastic changes both in educational aspects, communication skills, prioritization according to the demands of patients, and reward (personal and social) of physicians.