GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AND DIET OF MEMBERS OF AN IRRITABLE BOWEL SELF-HELP GROUP

A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 103 members of a se lf-help group for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 130 controls, to compare the presence of IBS symptoms. Dietary fibre prescription, comp liance and efficacy were documented in the IBS group. There were signi ficant differences in the frequency of defaecation and number of sympt oms present between the two groups. Most of the IBS subjects had been prescribed a high fibre diet but adherence to the diet and symptomatic improvement were poor. In contrast many IBS sufferers were following a range of diets not prescribed by their doctor. The seriousness of th e IBS condition was highlighted by the fact that 8% of the IBS group h ad retired early due to their condition.