What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. It is highly prevalent worldwide and significantly impacts patients' quality of life and healthcare systems.

Key Insights

Symptomatology and Diagnosis:
- IBS is marked by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with changes in stool consistency or frequency .
- It is diagnosed based on clinical criteria, such as the Rome III criteria, which classify IBS into subtypes: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), and mixed IBS (IBS-M) .
Pathophysiology:
- The exact cause of IBS is unclear, but it involves a combination of gastrointestinal motor function changes, enhanced gut wall sensitivity, and psychosocial factors .
- Altered brain-gut communication, mediated by neuroendocrine and immunological factors, plays a crucial role in symptom generation .
- Post-infectious IBS is recognized as a subset where symptoms develop following an acute gastrointestinal infection, often due to inflammatory responses .
Psychosocial Factors:
- Psychological and social factors significantly influence the experience and clinical outcomes of IBS, contributing to its classification as a biopsychosocial disorder .
- Patients with IBS often exhibit higher levels of anxiety and emotional distress, which can exacerbate symptoms .
Epidemiology:
- IBS affects approximately 9%-23% of the global population, with a higher prevalence in women and a notable impact on quality of life and healthcare costs .
- The disorder is more commonly diagnosed in younger individuals and tends to aggregate within families, suggesting potential genetic and sociological influences .

Conclusion

IBS is a multifactorial disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, with significant contributions from gastrointestinal, neuroendocrine, immunological, and psychosocial factors. Its high prevalence and impact on quality of life underscore the need for comprehensive management approaches that address both physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.

Summary

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Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

New pathophysiological mechanisms in irritable bowel syndrome

AGA technical review on irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome: pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and evidence-based medicine.

Irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome: classification and pathogenesis.

Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome: a long-term consequence of bacterial gastroenteritis.

The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome

The epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome: a disease still searching for pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy.

Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

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