SIBO Survey results are in! As promised, you're the first to know --

Thanks a million to all who have participated so far. We've got some really interested data, and we're only just getting started!



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The SIBO survey was created by SIBO Action Network with the intention of collecting comprehensive data for patient empowerment, medical research, and advocacy. The survey has been open for approximately six months and has garnered over 225 respondents. It was inspired by a survey built by Kenneth Lin and was developed with guidance from SIBO expert Dr. Allison Siebecker. With this first post we will report on the results relating to practitioner knowledge, socioeconomic costs, and psychosocial impacts. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any recommendations for improving the survey format or data analysis.

CLICK HERE FOR RAW SURVEY DATA

Practitioner diagnosis reliability Functional medical doctors and naturopathic doctors are the most reliable practitioners for SIBO diagnosis with 79% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one functional medical doctor and 60% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one naturopathic doctor.

are the most reliable practitioners for SIBO diagnosis with 79% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one functional medical doctor and 60% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one naturopathic doctor. Primary care physicians and Gastroenterologists are the least reliable practitioners for SIBO diagnosis with only 44% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one physician and only 47% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one gastroenterologist. 20% went to four or more primary care physicians before diagnosis.

are the least reliable practitioners for SIBO diagnosis with only 44% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one physician and only 47% receiving a diagnosis without going to more than one gastroenterologist. 20% went to four or more primary care physicians before diagnosis. For raw data about practitioner diagnosis reliability, visit page 82. Practitioner knowledge about SIBO Functional medical doctors and naturopathic doctors are the most knowledgable practitioners about SIBO with 65% reporting their naturopathic doctor having moderate to very high knowledge and 57% reporting their functional medical doctor having moderate to very high knowledge.

are the most knowledgable practitioners about SIBO with 65% reporting their naturopathic doctor having moderate to very high knowledge and 57% reporting their functional medical doctor having moderate to very high knowledge. Primary care physicians and gastroenterologists are the least knowledgable practitioners about SIBO with 93% reporting their primary care physician having low to no knowledge and 68% reporting their gastroenterologist having low to no knowledge.

are the least knowledgable practitioners about SIBO with 93% reporting their primary care physician having low to no knowledge and 68% reporting their gastroenterologist having low to no knowledge. For raw data about practitioner knowledge, visit page 85. Time to diagnosis 81% of respondents were never diagnosed by their primary care physician ; less than 1% were diagnosed within 1-3 months 4-6 months, or 7-12 months; 15% were diagnosed after more than 12 months.

; less than 1% were diagnosed within 1-3 months 4-6 months, or 7-12 months; 15% were diagnosed after more than 12 months. 45% of respondents were never diagnosed by their gastroenterologist ; 9% were diagnosed within a month; 17% were diagnosed within 1-3 months; 10% within 4-6 months; 0% within 7-12 months; 20% were diagnosed after more than 12 months.

; 9% were diagnosed within a month; 17% were diagnosed within 1-3 months; 10% within 4-6 months; 0% within 7-12 months; 20% were diagnosed after more than 12 months. 31% of respondents were never diagnosed by their naturopathic doctor ; 19% were diagnosed within a month; 24% were diagnosed within 1-3 months; 9% within 4-6 months; 6% within 7-12 months; 9% were diagnosed after more than 12 months.

; 19% were diagnosed within a month; 24% were diagnosed within 1-3 months; 9% within 4-6 months; 6% within 7-12 months; 9% were diagnosed after more than 12 months. 53% of respondents were never diagnosed by their functional medical doctor ; 17% were diagnosed within a month; 17% were diagnosed within 1-3 months; 7% within 4-6 months; 3% within 7-12 months; 3% were diagnosed after more than 12 months.

; 17% were diagnosed within a month; 17% were diagnosed within 1-3 months; 7% within 4-6 months; 3% within 7-12 months; 3% were diagnosed after more than 12 months. For raw data about diagnosis time, visit page 88. Food costs 84% reported an increase in their monthly food expenses in order to accommodate SIBO dietary needs

47% of respondents reported an increase of $150 or more in monthly expenses to accommodate SIBO dietary needs.

For raw data about food costs, visit page 121. Supplement Costs 74% of respondents reported spending $75 or more on SIBO related supplements per month.

35% of respondents reported spending $150 or more in SIBO related supplements per month.

For raw data about supplement costs, visit page 124. Work impact 84% reported SIBO negatively affecting their ability to work

47% reported either cutting back hours, changing jobs, or quitting in order to cope

For raw data about work impact, visit page 129. Social Life impact 100% reported SIBO negatively affecting their social life

80% reported greater difficulty being social

49% reported losing touch with some or many friends

69% reported rarely or never going out to restaurants or bars

For raw data about social life impact, visit page 130.