THE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

IFFGD, the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, is a nonprofit education and research organization. Our mission is to inform, assist, and support those affected by functional gastrointestinal disorders and fecal incontinence.

We work closely with health care professionals and the medical and pharmaceutical industries. This co-operative effort places IFFGD at the forefront of functional GI disorders care and research, helping us to aid and benefit those affected.

IFFGD offers a community of support to those affected by functional GI disorders and bowel incontinence. We:

Print state-of-the-art information in our publications and newsletters Participate and Digestive Health Matters

Increase awareness about the medical and personal issues faced by those affected

Fight for more research on methods to diagnose and treat these disorders

Provide our members the means to voice their concerns where they count:

• To the U.S. Congress which appropriates funding of research through the National Institutes of Health
• To researchers and industries around the world
• To clinicians who care for and treat patients

IFFGD sponsored the 3^rd International Symposium on Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Milwaukee this past April. The meeting was attended by an international group of 400 participants. They represented many disciplines including gastroenterology, colon rectal surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, nursing, allied health, psychology, and the pharmaceutical industry. The program presented a variety of formats including keynote lectures, panel presentations, meet the professor sessions, and small group workshops.

Also in April, IFFGD sponsored the first Consensus Conference on Fecal Incontinence in Milwaukee. Approximately 150 international experts in the field of treating incontinence attended. The goal of the conference is to develop a Consensus Statement to identify treatments that are supported by evidence of their effectiveness and the appropriateness of each treatment for individual patients. This meeting sets the stage for developing a plan of action that will improve treatment and management options for people with fecal incontinence. Once completed, broad dissemination of this information is planned.

IFFGD offers a wide range of educational information to help those with faecal incontinence.

Terri Herrmann, Project Manager