Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Basics

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional GI tract disorder where defecation is disordered and associated with abdominal discomfort.
IBS is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
Symptoms of IBS do not result from inflammatory, infectious, metabolic, or anatomic causes. However, there can be overlap with other conditions.
Symptoms typically exacerbated by stress or particular foods (i.e., spices, fatty foods, caffeine, certain carbohydrates, etc.).

10–15% of the general population is affected to some degree by IBS.
- Prevalence estimates vary based on whether the study is community-based or practice-based.
- Higher estimates in the community reflect the fact that many people do not seek medical care for their IBS symptoms.
- Prevalence is also based on whether Manning, Rome II, or Rome III criteria are used.
More common in females
IBS occurs in children.
- 6% of middle school students
- 14% of high school students

IBS considered a disorder of GI function relating to motility, sensation, and/or perception
Best model is a biopsychosocial construct with dysregulation of the gut-brain homeostasis affected bidirectionally by both peripheral and central factors.
The pathogenesis of IBS is believed to be multifactorial and include the following:
- Abnormal gut motility
- Genetics
- Bacterial overgrowth
- Visceral hypersensitivity
- Behavioral response
- Microscopic inflammation
- Dysregulation of brain-gut axis
- Malabsorption

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