Quality of life Background

Population-based studies have demonstrated that the prevalence rates of irritable bowel syndrome range from 2.1 % to 22 % [1]. The main symptoms are abdominal pain or discomfort, altered form, frequency and passage of stools, and abdominal distension. IBS affects all age groups and it is believed that factors such as familial aggregation, early life events, diet and psychosocial con-ditions might drive the development of the disease [1]. The disease is not life-threatening, but leads to signifi-cant impairment of health related quality of life, which reflects physical role limitations as well as pain and a lower perception of general health [2]. As a conse-quence, patients with IBS are more likely than thosehowever it may be cost-effective for those with more sevrandomised controlled trial in primary car