Leveraging RWE: Transforming the Understanding & Management of IBS in India through HealthPilx EMR

It was observed from HealthPlix EMR platform that approximately 90 million* patients presented with IBS with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and dyslipidemia being reported as the major comorbidities

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized as a functional bowel disorder wherein discomfort or abdominal pain is associated with alterations in defecation and/or changes in bowel habits.

Studies revealed that the prevalence of IBS among Asian countries appears to be rapidly increasing owing to the rapid socioeconomic development which has led to a transition in health and environmental status of the general population. It is estimated that the prevalence of IBS in India ranges from 4.0 to 7.9% and has a significant impact on the quality of life and social functioning of patients. 

As the country grapples with the complexities of IBS, harnessing RWE has emerged as a powerful tool in reshaping our understanding of the disease and enhancing its management. HealthPlix EMR provides comprehensive and accessible data that enables efficient and enhanced management enabling both patients and physicians in the ongoing management of IBS in India.

It was observed from the EMR that approximately 90 million* patients presented with IBS with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and dyslipidemia being reported as the major comorbidities. From the EMR data, it was noted that fever, cough, weakness, cold, headache, body ache, abdominal pain, and nausea were the highly recorded complaints. A sizable number of patients were also found to be asymptomatic from the data.

The EMR also illustrated that IBS affected patients from all age groups and that the female patients were more prone when compared to the male patients. The geographical footprint of the EMR depicted that the highest number of patients were recorded in the south zone followed by the north, west, and east zone. The metro cities were found to have more IBS patients than class 1, class 2-6, and rural areas. 

It is evident from the EMR data that RWE might allow for the analysis of real-world data from different regions, helping physicians understand regional variations in IBS prevalence, triggers, and treatment responses.

Moreover, EMRs might provide a consolidated and easily accessible platform for doctors to review patient histories, facilitating the identification of patterns and trends in IBS across diverse patient populations. Thus, by providing a nuanced understanding of the disease's epidemiology, RWE might contribute to revolutionizing IBS care and contribute to better health outcomes for individuals across the diverse landscape of India.

*Data from Jan’23 to Nov’23 was analyzed.

Note: Healthplix maintains complete confidentiality of health records and adheres to applicable government guidelines. De-identified data was analyzed at a cumulative level.