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Allergan plc announced a national partnership with Amy Dixon, world champion paratriathlete and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) patient. Through this partnership, Dixon will serve as a spokesperson to share her story with fellow IBS-D sufferers and healthcare providers, with the goal of improving dialogue between patients and their physicians about this condition and impact on patients' lives.
IBS-D is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder, marked by recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea, that affects as many as 16 million adult Americans and impacts roughly the same number of women and men.
"I experienced abdominal pain and diarrhea for years before I decided to go to the doctor," said Amy Dixon. "After struggling to find answers, I finally decided to talk to my doctor and I was diagnosed with IBS-D."
One of the obstacles in IBS-D treatment stems from a gap in patient-physician communication. The "IBS in America" survey found that sixty-five percent of IBS-D patients experience GI symptoms for at least a year before speaking with their doctor, and forty-six percent of patients wait at least three years before seeking a diagnosis.
Dixon partnered with Allergan because of what she called, "the desire to let people know that they don't have to go through life this way." "No one should have to deal with this condition by themselves. There are resources available to help you start the conversation with your doctor; together you can decide if a prescription medication is right for you," Dixon added.
"Allergan is proud to partner with Amy Dixon to raise much needed awareness around IBS-D. By teaming up with Amy and providing education to patients, we hope to empower people living with this chronic condition to have important conversations with their clinicians and seek medical treatment for their IBS-D symptoms," said Aimee Lenar, Vice President, Gastroenterology at Allergan.
