Disparities in Healthcare Seeking and Physician Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Results from a US Survey

ABSTRACT(256/260 WORDS INCL SUBHEADINGS) Background & Aims Limited data exist on healthcare disparities among individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the US. This study explored sex, race, and ethnic differences in healthcare-seeking behavior and IBS diagnosis rates among US adults. Methods Demographic and socioeconomic status, responses to the Rome IV IBS questionnaire plus IBS-related symptoms, healthcare-seeking behavior, and past healthcare provider (HCP)-based IBS diagnosis data were extracted from the 2020 US National Gastrointestinal Survey II. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between sex, race, and ethnicity on healthcare-seeking behavior and receipt of an IBS diagnosis from an HCP. Results Among 88,607 survey respondents, 5414 (6.1%) met Rome IV IBS criteria and were included in this analysis. Most were female (n = 3427; 63.3%), White (n = 4305; 79.5%), and non-Hispanic (n = 4731; 87.4%). Healthcare-seeking behavior was reported by 3875 (71.6%) of these respondents and was higher in females (73.3% vs 68.7% male; P = .008). Of these, 1274 (32.9%) received an HCP-based IBS diagnosis, which was proportionally higher in female than in male (36.5% vs 26.2%; P < .001) and in White than in Black/African American (35.0% vs 24.6%; P = .002) respondents, respectively. Hispanic respondents had a numerically lower HCP-based IBS diagnosis rate than non-Hispanic respondents (25.6% vs 34.0%; P = .084). Conclusion Among respondents meeting Rome IV IBS criteria, significant sex and racial disparities in healthcare-seeking behavior and HCP-based IBS diagnosis rates were observed. Further research is needed to understand the reasons underlying these disparities and implications on patient care and health outcomes.