Table 3 Impacts to IBS patient Quality of Life provided by general physician survey respondents (N = 50), July, 2019
Dimension | Quality of Life Impact |
|---|---|
Social | • “Unable to socialize due to fear of unexpected diarrhea” • “Frequent trips to the bathroom and limiting their social life” • “Afraid to travel, afraid to go out with friends or family, afraid to go to public events” • “Can’t work, can’t go on trips, have to know where all bathrooms are, can’t do activities outdoors” • “Reduced social activities due to bathroom needs” |
Employment | • “Loss of employment/number of sick days” • “Not being able to hold down a job” • “Missing work, or unable to keep appointments due to symptoms of IBS” • “They plan a Saturday to take laxatives and stay by the toilet or they know where every bathroom is on the drive from one place to the next; they don’t want to leave the house or go out to eat” |
Mental Health | • “Hesitation to participate in social functions, decreased confidence” • “Anxiety. Depression” • “Afraid to leave home” • “Anxiety, fear of eating out, fear of dining, embarrassment” • “Constant awareness of where a bathroom is” • “Absence from work, Social Withdrawal, Social Isolation.” |