irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) in canada: stats, impact and resources
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canada has one of the highest prevalence rates of ibs globally, making it a common condition in the country.
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irritable bowel syndrome, or ibs for short, is a condition that affects a person’s gastrointestinal tract. when someone develops ibs, they may contend with various uncomfortable, and in some cases, debilitating, symptoms, including cramps and pain, bloating and gas, and diarrhea or constipation.
according to the canadian digestive health foundation, ibs is common in canada, with roughly 18 per cent of the population having the condition. that incidence rate is estimated at 11 per cent globally, making canada’s ibs prevalence rate one of the highest in the world.
the severity of ibs can range significantly, with many people living with mild or moderate cases. the exact cause of ibs isn’t well understood, but certain factors play a role in its development and ongoing symptoms. they include:
- increased muscle contractions in the intestines
- nerve issues between the gut and brain communication pathways
- severe gastrointestinal infections
- stress and anxiety
- changes in the microbiome
there are three types of ibs:
- ibs with constipation (ibs-c)
- ibs with diarrhea (ibs-d)
- ibs-mixed (ibs-m)
the highest rate of people living with ibs has ibs-d at 40 per cent, while ibs-c and ibs-m account for the remaining cases, both at 30 per cent each.
on average, it takes people roughly four years to get a proper diagnosis, making it an uphill battle. this is because the symptoms are similar to those of other, more severe conditions, including crohn’s disease. medical providers must rule out other conditions before landing on ibs, which takes time.
the rome iv criteria are often used to diagnose ibs, following tests that rule out other conditions. these criteria indicate that to get diagnosed with ibs, a person must experience abdominal pain and symptoms related to changes in their stool frequency or appearance for at least one day per week for a minimum of three months.
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since ibs isn’t well understood, when someone does get a diagnosis, there are limited treatment options. medical providers will initially suggest diet and lifestyle changes, like eliminating trigger foods, exercising more, and talk therapy as first-line approaches. medications to treat the physical and mental symptoms are often prescribed if other dietary and lifestyle strategies don’t work. treatment can be a long journey because people frequently have to try many avenues before finding one that works for them.
according to research, the ibs rates in canada are currently stable, with no rise or decline seen in recent years.
ibs stats in canada
as many as 13 to 20 per cent of canadians are thought to be living with ibs, according to research. those numbers account for five to 7.5 million people. the condition is often found more in females than males, with 3.7 per cent of males and 7.8 per cent of females in canada living with ibs.
according to the imagine network (inflammation, microbiome, and alimentation: gastro-intestinal and neuropsychiatric effects), canadians have an average lifetime risk of developing ibs at a rate of 30 per cent, but that risk tends to decrease as a person ages.
the most common ages for people to develop ibs range significantly, and many receive formal diagnoses for their condition in their late teens to early 40s, with the risk of developing it over 50 being less likely. in canada, the peak incidence is between the ages of 18 and 34.
over 86 per cent of people with ibs experience disruptions in their ability to work because of their symptoms, while 24.3 per cent miss work because of the condition. one study found that a smaller number of people living with ibs, 12 per cent to be exact, quit working altogether because their symptoms had become so troublesome.
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fatigue is an often-debilitating symptom faced by people with ibs, and as many as 54 per cent of those living with the condition will also have to contend with bouts of fatigue. this is likely due to issues with nutrient absorption that go along with ibs, as well as the stress, depression, and anxiety that often accompany the disorder. it’s estimated that as many as 60 per cent of people with ibs also have anxiety or depression.
according to the canadian digestive health foundation, the symptoms of ibs can be so debilitating that many people living with the condition would trade 25 per cent, or 15 years of their lives, to be symptom-free.
impact of ibs on canadian society
since canada has one of the highest ibs prevalence rates, the impact the condition has on canadian society can be significant. there are several costs associated with the condition.
healthcare costs represent diagnostic tests, medication, referrals, and emergency room visits at rates of 46, 12, 10, and nine per cent, respectively. altogether, those costs affect the country at a high rate. in ontario alone, ibs healthcare costs are estimated at $131 million per year.
when looking at the country as a whole, direct healthcare costs, which include diagnostic services, hospitalization, and medical procedures, are over $350 million per year. indirect costs and productivity loss, which are expenses that fall onto the patients and loss of wages due to stifled productivity, sit at roughly $1 billion for ibs in canada.
people living with ibs account for lost wages averaging $1,258 in a two-year period. non-ibs patients, in contrast, have an average of $742 in that same time frame.
according to data from the uk and the us, as shared by the canadian society of intestinal research, people living with ibs are highly impacted when it comes to their employment. as many as 12 to 17 per cent of people with ibs lost or quit their jobs due to symptoms, with 15 to 19 per cent having to work fewer hours.
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resources and support for ibs in canada
several resources are available for ibs in canada. because it is considered a less mild disease compared to other gastrointestinal disorders, finding the right care team and resources can be difficult, but not impossible.
people with ibs can find resources through the canadian digestive health foundation, including:
- myibs: an app that helps to track symptoms, foods, and stress levels to allow for better ibs management.
- ibs survival guide: a handy guide that provides people with tips and tricks on managing their ibs and staying in touch with their care team.
the canadian digestive health foundation also runs various campaigns, such as ibs awareness month, designed to spread information about the condition and improve understanding among those who have it as well as the general population.
other resources for ibs include:
- international foundation for functional gastrointestinal disorders (iffgd): provides information for ibs patients.
- canadian psychological association: provides referral services so people living with ibs can address the psychological aspect of the condition.
- lyfemd app: a free app geared toward stress management for people with ibs.
- nerva: an app that aims to help ibs patients through healing the gut-brain connection with gut-directed hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy.
- the tummy clinic: a virtual ibs care clinic serving most provinces across canada.
- monash university’s diet app: a low-fodmap diet app that helps people change their diet to ease symptoms of ibs.
- gutly: a low fodmap ibs tracker app.
dieticians can also be great resources for people with ibs because they can work with patients to identify trigger foods and find adequate replacements so that people with the condition can still maintain adequate nutrition while on a restrictive ibs diet. the dietitians of canada website can help you locate and connect with a dietitian in canada.
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finding the proper support after being diagnosed with ibs is an excellent way to stay on top of your health so that you can access the treatment that works for you. since no two cases of ibs are identical, treatment is highly personalized. that is why resources are also unique to the individual, providing better overall outcomes.
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