Irritable Bowel Syndrome Disease Summary

Overview

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, relapsing functional bowel disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and bloating with altered bowel habits that may affect the patient’s quality of life, as stated in the Introduction section.

The global prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome is between 4.1-12%. A detailed discussion about the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome is in the Epidemiology section.

The Pathophysiology section states that the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome is multifactorial, including environmental, psychologic, and physiologic factors. The developmental process of irritable bowel syndrome is in this section.  

The Risk Factor section enumerates conditions that are associated with the development of irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome_Disease Summary

History and Physical Examination

The Clinical Presentation section describes the clinical features suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome.

The History section discusses the different information needed in the assessment of patients suspected of irritable bowel syndrome, while the Physical Examination section explains the importance of a thorough abdominal and rectal exam in the evaluation of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The Screening section discusses other factors that may lead the clinician to perform routine diagnostic tests.

Diagnosis

The Diagnosis or Diagnostic Criteria section features the symptom-based criteria and subclassification for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

Discussion on suggested tests that may be requested in patients suspected of irritable bowel syndrome is in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries section. 

Other conditions that should be ruled out in the evaluation of irritable bowel syndrome are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.

Management

Irritable bowel syndrome patients who present with any of the alarm signs and symptoms may have a higher incidence of organic disease and these are enumerated in the Evaluation section. The determination of the severity of symptoms of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and indications for specialist referral are also included in this section.

General therapy principles for establishing therapeutic relationships and pharmacotherapy in irritable bowel syndrome are in the Principles of Therapy section.

The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses in detail the symptomatic therapy for irritable bowel syndrome, depending on the presence of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating.

The Nonpharmacological section includes things to advise patients, such as lifestyle and dietary modifications. Behavioral therapy is also included in this section.