Abstract
Introduction: Functional abdominal symptoms are very common and account for nearly two million primary care consultations in Britain every year and produce significant morbidity. The aims of this study were to evaluate the impact of two self-help interventions on consultation rates and symptom severity in patients with a primary care diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. Methods: A total of 420 patients from 54 primary care centres were randomised either to receive self-help information in the form of a guidebook or the guidebook plus a "self-help" group meeting or to be in a control group receiving neither intervention. Data were collected using questionnaires and primary care records. Results: At one year, patients in the guidebook group had a 60% reduction in primary care consultations (p
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 643-648 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Gut |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2006 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Health Status
- Humans
- psychology: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Male
- Office Visits
- Outpatients
- Pamphlets
- Patient Education
- Quality of Life
- Regression Analysis
- Self Care
- Self-Help Groups
- Treatment Outcome