[ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS ABOUT IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME].

Abstract

Diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often a problem for general practitioners (GPs) because they rely on symptoms without specific biological markers. The objective was to examine the attitudes and knowledge of GPs in identifying and treating patients with IBS. The study included 51 GPs who take care of 87,000 patients, approximately 1,530 of them with IBS, on the basis of a questionnaire developed for this study in two health centers in Zagreb. The questionnaire contained questions with a case vignette on GP attitudes and knowledge about IBS. In comparison with other pain conditions, GPs were found to have least confidence and pleasure, while spending a lot of time and finding it most difficult to diagnose and treat patients suffering from IBS. In the case vignette, GPs answered correctly that it was IBS (84%) and most of them would give dietary advice and follow up the patient (67%). For the diagnosis of IBS, most physicians considered necessary to take diagnostic criteria into account, exclude alarming symptoms and do basic laboratory tests (39%). Most GPs considered IBS to be a functional bowel disorder (92%), 63% used diagnostic criteria for IBS, and 61% were familiar with the Rome III criteria for IBS. Gastroenterologists would be consulted by 53% of GPs in case of uncertain diagnosis and 35% of GPs for therapeutic inefficiency. In the treatment of IBS, most GPs (51%) prescribe pharmacotherapy for functional bowel disorders. The authors conclude that GPs showed great knowledge in recognizing and diagnosing IBS, but compared to other painful conditions they have little self-confidence and pleasure. They spend a lot of time and find it most difficult to diagnose and treat patients suffering from IBS. Additional education is needed with a more proactive approach in the form of workshops, which may bring change in their attitudes and improve their knowledge.