Because many sufferers do not report their symptoms to doctors, it's difficult to say how many people are living with IBS.
In most countries, the prevalence is between 10 and 15% of the population. In South Africa, the prevalence of IBS is estimated to be below 8% of the population, according to a study, The Epidemiology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, conducted by the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom.
Reviewed by Dr Ismail Moola MBCHB (UCT) FCP (SA) Cert Gastro Phys (SA)
Specialist Physician / Gastroenterologist Netcare Sunninghill Hospital and part time Lecturer Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Wits University February 2015.
Previously reviewed by Dr E. Wilken (MBChB) Mmed (Int), gastroenterologist, May 2011