IBS is a debilitating condition that affects approximately one out of eleven persons world wide. It is often called a functional disorder, a term used to characterize painful conditions, whose biological mechanisms are not fully understood.~Diagnosis is made based on symptoms and exclusion of other conditions rather than specific tests or biological markers.~Treatment usually starts with diet counselling and a change of eating habits. If symptoms persist, a physician can prescribe medication of different types. But for some patients neither change of diet, nor medication is sufficient. Some of these patients may benefit from psychological treatment. There are a few different psychological treatments that have been proven efficacious in clinical trials. Most researched is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).~Our study is a clinical effectiveness trial without a control group. The data comes from a gastroenterology clinic in Stockholm and is collected as part of the work with continous improvement at the clinic.~Patients with diagnosed IBS are offered group treatment with a specific CBT protocol developed by our research group at Karolinska Institutet. The treatment comprises 6 different modules and stretches over ten sessions. The modules are: 1. Information regarding the treatment, IBS and mindfulness. 2 Hypervigilance and anxiety. 3. Behaviors and thoughts. 4. Behavior change part one - toilet habits including exposure to feared situations. 5. Behavior change part two - exposure to symptoms and avoidance/control behaviors. 6. Summary and relapse prevention.~Group sizes range from 4-7 patients and the treatment is given by licenced psychologists who are employed at the clinic.
The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of a specific Cognitive Behavioral treatment protocol for patients with IBS used in routine care at a gastroenterology unit in Stockholm. The research question is whether the treatment has the same effects in routine care as it has had in efficacy studies.~The treatment is given by licenced psychologists (with CBT training) face-to-face in groups of 4-7 participants and lasts for ten sessions (ten weeks, normally).