Fig. 3

Symptom patterns and most troublesome symptoms by IBS-D severity. (a) Symptom patterns over the past 3 months by IBS-D severity. p < 0.05 for all comparisons (mild vs severe and moderate vs severe; continual and intermittent). Based on responses to the question: ‘Which best describes the pattern of your IBS symptoms over the past 3 months?’ ^aDefined as experiencing some IBS symptoms every day. ^bDefined as having some days without any IBS symptoms. (b) Most troublesome symptoms currently experienced by IBS-D severity. Based on the first selected response to the question: ‘Which of the symptoms you currently experience trouble you the most?’ (bloating was not included as a potential response). *p < 0.05. IBS irritable bowel syndrome; IBS-D diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome