13 April 2012

*Regional data available on request from this publication

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) led to more than 5,000 hospital admissions in England in 2011 – with women accounting for 70 per cent of such admissions - Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) figures show.

IBS is a common condition of the digestive system and can cause bouts of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation. Its symptoms can vary in severity from one person to another. However, it is not dangerous and does not increase the likelihood of the sufferer developing cancer.8

New figures from the HSCIC’s Hospital Episodes Statistics show between January and December 2011:

· There were 5,370 admissions for IBS – a fall of almost two per cent on the previous 12 months (5,470).

· The 40-to-44 age group accounted for the highest number of admissions of any five year age group (580, or just under 11 per cent of all admissions for IBS).

HSCIC’s chief executive Tim Straughan said:...