To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Treatment of IBS Symptoms Improves Workplace Attendance: Presented at ACG URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2548F2.htm Doctor's Guide November 3, 2005
By Paula Moyer HONOLULU, HI -- November 3, 2005 -- Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who are treated with tegaserod (Zelnorm) miss fewer days of work and school and are more productive than patients who are not treated, investigators reported here at the 70th annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). In the Zelnorm Advancing Quality of life (ZAQ) study, the investigators sought to determine whether treatment with tegaserod had an impact on absenteeism and "presenteeism," which occurs when an individual is at work but too ill or uncomfortable to perform his or her duties. The results show that 27% of patients who were treated with tegaserod reported decreases in the number of days missed at school or work, reported principal investigator Nigel Flook, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. In addition, almost half of treated patients also reported a decrease in the number of days of presenteeism at school, work, or home. Dr. Flook said that IBS symptoms are the second most common cause of work-related absenteeism, with the common cold being the first. The study was designed as a prospective, naturalistic study that evaluated the impact of treatment with tegaserod on absenteeism and presenteeism in women with constipation-predominant IBS. The investigators gathered baseline data from 1542 patients with lower gastrointestinal symptoms who were enrolled at community clinics in Canada. Of these, 483 patients (31.3%) completed a questionnaire on medication use, absenteeism and presenteeism at baseline and at weeks 4 and 12 of treatment. Patients were an average of 49.5 years old. Among them, 77.5% had had symptoms for more than 2 years, and 46.2% had had symptoms for at least 6 years. The most common prescription medications received prior to study entry were proton pump inhibitors (33.2%), pinaverium bromide (15%), and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (13.3%). The most common nonprescription medications were fiber supplements (23%), laxatives (20%), and stool softeners (18%). After 4 and 12 weeks of treatment, 27.2% of patients reported having missed fewer days of work or school per month due to IBS symptoms, and 27.2% reported that they had experienced a decrease in the number of days per month that they had to leave work or school early due to symptoms. In addition, 17.2% of patients reported fewer days of late arrivals at work or school per month, and 49.8% reported an improvement in the number of days per month when they were at work or school but unproductive because of symptoms. "The significant difference that we saw was in presenteeism," Dr. Flook said in an interview. "With tegaserod, patients were more productive at work than when not on it." The investigators also tracked improvements in home and social activities. Half of participants reported that they had fewer days per month when they accomplished less at home because of IBS, and 39.5% reported fewer days per month when they had to cancel or reschedule activities due to IBS. These results were significant in all categories, the investigators reported (P < .001). This did not change after treatment, and Dr. Flook discussed the reasons why. "We don't see IBS in isolation from other gastrointestinal conditions," he said. "They're usually comorbid. There is probably something wrong that runs from the mouth to the anus, rather than having an isolated condition just affecting the colon. We've historically identified gastrointestinal problems as upper and lower problems. …We also need to be well aware that many patients will have comorbidities. When you see IBS, look for concomitant upper gastrointestinal problems." The study was funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures Zelnorm. [Presentation title: Z.A.Q. (Zelnorm Advancing Quality of Life) Study Outcomes, Treatment with Tegaserod in a Naturalistic Setting Is Associated with Reductions in Presenteeism and Absenteeism. Abstract 212] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.