Gastrointestinal Disorder Patient Group Available for Comment On Lancet Seminar titled, 'Demystifying Irritable Bowel Syndrome'

8/15/2002

From: Michelle Leff of Spectrum Science Public Relations, 202-955-6222, e-mail: mleff@spectrumscience.com

News Advisory:

NOTE: Substantive information embargoed until 6:30 p.m. ET Aug. 15

Nancy Norton, president and founder of the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), is available to provide patient perspective on living with irritable bowel syndrome as described in a seminar to be published in The Lancet, Issue 17, on August 17.

The article, "Demystifying Irritable Bowel Syndrome," examines the history, epidemiology and treatment options for one of the most misunderstood medical complains -- irritable bowel syndrome. Authored by Nicholas Talley, of the University of Sydney, Australia, and Robin Spiller, of Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK, the article describes how IBS affects 10 percent of adults and is more common among women than men.

According to IFFGD, Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disease characterized by chronic and recurrent abdominal pain and abnormal bowel function. IBS sufferers have unusually sensitive and active nerve endings in the lining of the bowel that trigger inappropriate muscle activity, resulting in episodes of diarrhea, constipation, or both in alternation. The cause of IBS is not known, and as yet there is no known cure.

IFFGD is a nonprofit education and research organization whose mission it is to inform, assist and support those affected by gastrointestinal disorders. With an international group of experts from multiple disciplines who serve on the organization's medical advisory board, the IFFGD is a resource for anyone seeking current information about gastrointestinal disorders for both adults and children. For more information, please visit http://www.IFFGD.org or http://www.aboutibs.org.