Effect of video-assisted patient education on compliance with therapy, quality of life, psychomorbidity, and cost of illness in irritable bowel syndrome

Objective: Patient education is important in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its effects on outcomes have not been studied extensively.

Methods: Patients were enrolled and prospectively divided into an interventional and usual care group. Both received standard of care, but the former additionally received video-assisted patient education. Self-administered questionnaires IBS-quality of life (QOL), Beck Anxiety-Depression Inventory II (BAI, BDI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Compliance was defined as drug intake of >80% of the prescribed dose. COI included prospective, prevalence-based, societal perspective.

Results: Of the 107 patients included, 84 [78.5%; male = 66 (78.57%); median age = 44 (range 20–77 years)] completed the follow up. While the median (inter-quartile range; IQR) QOL scores decreased significantly in both the groups (p < 0.001 for either group), the final scores were significantly better in the interventional group [49 (44–52.5) versus 80 (76–103), respectively; p < 0.005]. There was a significant improvement in the BDI; p < 0.001]. However, the rest did not achieve statistical significance. At 6 months, total median (IQR) semi-annual cost per patient was INR 14,639 (8253–17,909) [US $240 (135–294].

Conclusion: Video-assisted patient education should be a part of the treatment of IBS since it improves the QOL and depression scores.