Press Releases: Southern California
June 2, 2004
Kaiser Permanente study calls for ways to reduce unneeded surgeries
SAN DIEGO – A Kaiser Permanente study of 89,008 patient histories found that those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were three times more likely to have had their gall bladder removed and twice as likely to have undergone hysterectomy or appendectomy compared with individuals who did not have IBS.
HMO members who had undergone a routine health checkup were surveyed for the study. Questionnaire data on IBS diagnosis and surgical histories were validated by comparison with physician records.
The study, which was published in the June edition of Gastroenterology, was funded by a grant from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common gastrointestinal disorder that is not caused by abnormal anatomy, such as ulcers or inflammation, as is found in colitis.
"Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and bloating," said George F Longstreth, MD, of the Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Plan, San Diego, the study's the principal investigator. "No operation benefits IBS, and the explanation for the increased rates of surgery are uncertain, but a major reason seems to be inaccurate diagnosis; that is, physician confusion of the symptoms of IBS with those of other disorders."
According to Longstreth, "the pain of IBS could be incorrectly attributed to coincidental gallstones that have not caused any symptoms. Severe pain could be blamed on appendicitis, resulting in unneeded surgery."
"Since about 10 percent of people have IBS, especially women, the potential for unnecessary surgery is enormous," asserted Longstreth who also believes that increased awareness of the disorder and expanded collaboration among physicians could reduce unnecessary operations.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.3 million members in Southern California. Today it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region includes more than 49,900 technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 6,000 physicians representing all specialties. More information about Kaiser Permanente can be found at kaiserpermanente.org.
