Effect of video-assisted patient education on compliance with therapy, quality of life, psychomorbidity, and cost of illness in irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

Patient education is important in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its effects on outcomes have not been studied extensively.

METHODS

Patients were enrolled and prospectively divided into an interventional and usual care group. Both received standard of care, but the former additionally received video-assisted patient education. Self-administered questionnaires IBS-quality of life (QOL), Beck Anxiety-Depression Inventory II (BAI, BDI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Compliance was defined as drug intake of >80% of the prescribed dose. COI included prospective, prevalence-based, societal perspective.

RESULTS

Of the 107 patients included, 84 [78.5%; male = 66 (78.57%); median age = 44 (range 20-77 years)] completed the follow up. While the median (inter-quartile range; IQR) QOL scores decreased significantly in both the groups (p < 0.001 for either group), the final scores were significantly better in the interventional group [49 (44-52.5) versus 80 (76-103), respectively; p < 0.005]. There was a significant improvement in the BDI; p < 0.001]. However, the rest did not achieve statistical significance. At 6 months, total median (IQR) semi-annual cost per patient was INR 14,639 (8253-17,909) [US $240 (135-294].

CONCLUSION

Video-assisted patient education should be a part of the treatment of IBS since it improves the QOL and depression scores.