Prevalence of Opioid Use and Associated Healthcare Outcomes in Rome IV Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The United Kingdom (UK) has one of the highest worldwide opioid prescription rates per capita. International guidelines caution against the use of opioids for chronic non-malignant pain, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Aims

To study the prevalence and impact of regular opioid use among people with Rome IV IBS in community settings in the UK.

Methods

We collected demographic, quality of life (QoL), psychological symptoms, and healthcare utilisation data from 752 people with Rome IV IBS. Participants were recruited via electronic mailshot in July 2021 through ContactME-IBS, a UK registry of persons diagnosed with IBS primarily by a general practitioner or gastroenterologist.

Results

Among participants, 148 (19.7%) reported taking an opioid re

SUBMITTER: Butt MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12854644 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature