Predictors of healthcare-seeking behavior among Chinese patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Table 2 Factors with significant difference between consulted and non-consulted patients with irritable bowel syndrome n (%)

	Consulters	Non-consulters	OR (95%CI)
During the whole disease course	n = 285	n = 231
Ordinary abdominal pain/discomfort	174 (61.1)	101 (43.7)	2.02 (1.43-2.92)
Persistent symptoms	104 (36.5)	60 (26.0)	1.64 (1.12-2.40)
Disease course ≥ 7 yr	121 (42.5)	77 (33.3)	1.48 (1.03-2.12)
Co-existed with GERD	157 (55.1)	107 (46.3)	1.42 (1.00-2.01)
Sleeping disorder	179 (62.8)	121 (52.4)	1.54 (1.08-2.18)
Anxiety1	128 (67.4)	98 (57.0)	1.56 (1.02-2.38)
Depression1	64 (33.7)	41 (23.8)	1.62 (1.02-2.58)
In the past year	n = 409	n = 107
Mental labor	199 (48.7)	33 (30.8)	2.13 (1.35-3.35)
Severe abdominal pain	68 (16.6)	27 (25.2)	0.59 (0.36-0.98)
Loose stool	312 (83.6)	70 (72.9)	1.70 (1.07-2.69)
Weight loss	119 (29.1)	17 (15.9)	2.17 (1.24-3.81)

¹The number of consulters and non-consulters were 190 and 172. IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome; GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; OR: Odds ratio.