Improving the Assessment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using an Evidence-Based Practice Symptom Severity Tool

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a widespread functional bowel disorder distinguished by chronic pain that can markedly reduce quality of life. Patient perceived symptom control needs to be established to ensure effective IBS therapy

Local problem: Evaluation standards and questions vary between clinicians leading to inconsistent evaluation of IBS severity. Evidence-based practice suggests a standardized measurement of IBS symptoms to objectively evaluate the effectiveness of treatment measures and symptom control.

Methods: A gastroenterology clinic in Pennsylvania implemented a standardized IBS symptom severity tool, the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS). A single question patient self-reported IBS symptom severity measurement was used to mirror current practice for IBS-SSS comparison assessment. Project team member perception of feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness pre- and post-implementation of the IBS-SSS was assessed using a Likert-style survey adapted from Weiner et al. (2017). Tool use acceptability was calculated by comparing the number of patients eligible to complete the tool with the number of those who completed the tool.

Interventions: A validated IBS symptom severity assessment tool was implemented and compared to self-reported patient symptom severity assessment.

Results: The pre- and post-implementation survey scores for feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of IBS-SSS use were high. All eligible individuals completed the project tools indicating tool acceptability. Comparison of the IBS-SSS and self-reported tool score demonstrated moderate positive correlation.

Conclusions: Implementing the IBS-SSS supports the literature findings that use of IBS symptom severity assessment tools reliably evaluates IBS disease burden. This project has the potential to be incorporated into a variety of outpatient practices.

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Work Title Improving the Assessment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using an Evidence-Based Practice Symptom Severity Tool
Access
Penn State
Creators
  1. Janet Cady
Keyword
  1. Irritable bowel syndrome
  2. Outcome instrument
  3. Functional dyspepsia
  4. Validated
  5. Questionnaire
  6. Aymptom assessment
  7. Abdominal pain
  8. Gastrointestinal symptoms
  9. Measurement
  10. Symptom severity
  11. Functional gastrointestinal disease
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Project
Acknowledgments
  1. Kelly Gallagher, Ph.D., CNM
  2. Susan Leight, EdD, ARPN-BC, NP-C, ANP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
  3. Sheri Matter, PhD, MHA, RN, NEA-BC
Publication Date March 19, 2023
Subject
  1. Irritable bowel syndrome
  2. Quality improvement
Language
  1. English
Deposited March 19, 2023

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • Kelly Gallagher, Ph.D., CNM, Susan Leight, EdD, ARPN-BC, NP-C, ANP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, Sheri Matter, PhD, MHA, RN, NEA-BC
  • Added Creator Janet Cady
  • Added CADY_JANET Improving the Assessment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using an Evidence-Based Practice Symptom Severity Tool 3.19.2023.pdf
  • Updated Keyword, Publication Date, License Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome, outcome instrument, functional dyspepsia, validated, questionnaire, symptom assessment, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, measurement, symptom severity, Functional gastrointestinal disease
    • Irritable bowel syndrome, outcome instrument, functional dyspepsia, validated, questionnaire, symptom assessment, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, measurement, symptom severity, functional gastrointestinal disease
    Publication Date
    • 2023-3
    • 2023-03-19
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Irritable bowel syndrome, outcome instrument, functional dyspepsia, validated, questionnaire, symptom assessment, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, measurement, symptom severity, functional gastrointestinal disease
    • Irritable bowel syndrome, Outcome instrument, Functional dyspepsia, Validated, Questionnaire, Aymptom assessment, Abdominal pain, Gastrointestinal symptoms, Measurement, Symptom severity, Functional gastrointestinal disease
  • Deleted CADY_JANET Improving the Assessment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using an Evidence-Based Practice Symptom Severity Tool 3.19.2023.pdf
  • Added CADY_JANET Improving the Assessment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using an Evidence-Based Practice Symptom Severity Tool.pdf
  • Updated