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International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

• About 25% of the U.S. population has some activity limitation and impairment of daily function due to these disorders, and the frequency of work absenteeism is second only to the common cold. These disorders comprise about 41% of gastrointestinal problems for which patients seek health care.
• Only about 1% of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health’s budget is directed toward translational and clinical research for functional GI and motility disorders.
• Symptoms sufficient for a diagnosis of IBS were noted in 17% of high school students and 8% of middle school students.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing House

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Prevalence: 2.1 million people (1996)

Celiac Disease

• Recent findings estimate about 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease, or about 1 in 133 people.
• Among people who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with celiac disease, as many as 1 in 22 people may have the disease.

Celiac Foundation

• One out of 133 people in the United States is affected with celiac disease.
• CD occurs in 5-15% of the offspring and siblings of a person with celiac disease.
• In 70% of identical twin pairs, both twins have the disease.
• It is strongly suggested that family members be tested, even if asymptomatic.
• Family members who have an autoimmune disease are at a 25% increased risk of having celiac disease.
• Celiac Disease may appear at any time in a person's life.
• The disease can be triggered for the first time after surgery, viral infection, severe emotional stress, pregnancy or childbirth.
• CD is a multi-system, multi-symptom disorder.
• Symptoms are extremely varied and can often mimic other bowel disorders.
• Infants, toddlers, and children often exhibit growth failure, vomiting, bloated abdomen and behavioral changes.

Cedar-Sanai Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center

• Industry experts estimate that as many as 2 million North Americans suffer from one of a variety of inflammatory bowel diseases.
• About 200,000 of those are children.