Review article: the economic impact of the irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder of the gastrointestinal system affecting a large number of people worldwide. Whilst it has no attributable mortality, it has substantial impact on patients' quality of life (QoL) and is associated with considerable healthcare resource use.To review the economic impact of IBS, firstly on the individual, secondly on healthcare systems internationally and thirdly to society.Appropriate...