Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) led to more than 5,000 hospital admissions in England in 2011 – with women accounting for 70 per cent of such admissions – Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) figures show.
IBS is a common condition of the digestive system and can cause bouts of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Its symptoms can vary in severity from one person to another. However, it is not dangerous and does not increase the likelihood of the sufferer developing cancer.
New figures from the HSCIC’s Hospital Episodes Statistics show between January and December 2011:
- There were 5,370 admissions for IBS – a fall of almost two per cent on the previous 12 months (5,470).
- The 40-to-44 age group accounted for the highest number of admissions of any five year age group (580, or just under 11 per cent of all admissions for IBS).
HSCIC’s chief executive Tim Straughan said: “The severity of IBS can vary from one person to another and this report shows that some cases require an admission to hospital.
“Gender figures show that hospitals are seeing a far bigger number of female admissions come through their doors for this condition, with women accounting for 70 per cent of admissions for IBS in 2011.”
The report is available via: www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/provisionalmonthlyhes
Provided by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre
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