TABLE 1.
Baseline Demographic Characteristics and Predominant Bowel Pattern by Treatment Groups in Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
| Variable | UC Group (n = 60) | CSM Group (n = 113) | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (M ± SD) | 43 ± 14 | 45 ± 14 | ns |
| Gender, female, n (%) | 51 (85) | 99 (88) | ns |
| Married or partner, n (%) | 28 (47) | 52 (46) | ns |
| College or graduate, n (%) | 34 (57) | 81 (72) | .035 |
| Employment status, n (%) | |||
| Retired | 7 (12) | 13 (12) | ns |
| Full-time | 26 (43) | 52 (46) | |
| Part-time | 18 (30) | 29 (26) | |
| Other | 9 (15) | 19 (17) | |
| Predominant bowel pattern,a n (%) | |||
| Normal | 2 (3) | 7 (6) | ns |
| Constipation | 11 (18) | 28 (25) | |
| Diarrhea | 31 (52) | 60 (53) | |
| Alternating | 16 (27) | 18 (16) |
Note. P value tests the group differences using one-way analysis of variance for continuous variable (age) or Pearson χ2 for categorical data. UC = usual care; CSM = comprehensive self-management.
a
Predominant bowel pattern based on Rome II criteria (Adapted from Rome II: The Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders by D. A. Drossman, E. Corazziari, N. J. Talley, W. G. Thompson, & W. E. Whitehead, 2000, 2nd ed., Lawrence, KS: Allen Press, Inc.