Case Control Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Dec 28, 2014; 20(48): 18360-18366
Published online Dec 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i48.18360
Perceived risk as a barrier to appropriate diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome
Eunmi Ahn, Ki Young Son, Dong Wook Shin, Min Kyu Han, Hyejin Lee, Ah Reum An, Eun Ho Kim, BeLong Cho
Eunmi Ahn, Ki Young Son, Dong Wook Shin, Min Kyu Han, Hyejin Lee, Ah Reum An, Eun Ho Kim, BeLong Cho, Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 110-744, South Korea
Ki Young Son, Dong Wook Shin, BeLong Cho, Cancer Survivorship Clinic, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul 110-744, South Korea
Author contributions: Son KY, Shin DW and Cho B provided the study concept, supervised the study, and contributed critical appraisal of the manuscript; Ahn E, Han MK, Lee H, An AR and Kim EH performed research; Ahn E and Kim EH performed the statistical analysis and interpretation of data; Ahn E, Son KY and Han MK wrote the manuscript; all authors approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 800-20120075
Correspondence to: BeLong Cho, MD, PhD, Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak ro, Jongno gu, Seoul 110-744, South Korea. belong@snu.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-2-20722195 Fax: +82-2-7663276
Received: April 11, 2014
Revised: June 16, 2014
Accepted: July 11, 2014
Published online: December 28, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the acceptance of laypersons (as potential patients or lay consultants) with a positive diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The majority of respondents showed a high perceived need for diagnostic testing (97.2%), especially colonoscopy (79.5%), and most of them were reluctant to accept a positive diagnosis of IBS (65.7%). In addition, the increased risk perception group was less likely to be reassured (adjusted odds ratio = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.34-0.78). Therefore, to help patients accept an appropriate diagnosis of IBS, the health care system must manage the perceived risk of patients.