What is the current burden of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in primary care and cost effectiveness of referral to secondary care?

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involves altered bowel habit, pain and bloating that causes distress and reduces quality of life. It affects up to 20% of the population at any time, with approximately 25% seeking medical advice. Despite this condition affecting large numbers of people with significant impact on their lives, relatively little is known about characteristics of individuals and their prognosis. Even less is understood about financial cost to the health service of managing IBS and the role and impact to both the individual and the health service of referral to a consultant. This study will assess characteristics and prognosis for individuals with IBS. A model will be developed to analyse the economic impact of IBS and assess impact and cost effectiveness of referral to a consultant. Financial costs of investigations, treatment, hospital admissions and clinician time will be investigated using a database of records from UK general practices, whilst patient questionnaires will quantify loss of work productivity and quality of life and how referral to hospital alters this.Developing an accurate economic model of IBS will allow cost effectiveness of many interventions to be assessed, providing a mechanism to reduce wasteful practice and allow more efficient use of resources.