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World Journal of Gastroenterology Jun 2014Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects 9%-23% of the population across the world. The percentage... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects 9%-23% of the population across the world. The percentage of patients seeking health care related to IBS approaches 12% in primary care practices and is by far the largest subgroup seen in gastroenterology clinics. It has been well documented that these patients exhibit a poorer quality of life and utilize the health care system to a greater degree than patients without this diagnosis. The pathophysiology of IBS is not clear. Many theories have been put forward, but the exact cause of IBS is still uncertain. According to the updated ROME III criteria, IBS is a clinical diagnosis and presents as one of the three predominant subtypes: (1) IBS with constipation (IBS-C); (2) IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D); and (3) mixed IBS (IBS-M); former ROME definitions refer to IBS-M as alternating IBS (IBS-A). Across the IBS subtypes, the presentation of symptoms may vary among patients and change over time. Patients report the most distressing symptoms to be abdominal pain, straining, myalgias, urgency, bloating and feelings of serious illness. The complexity and diversity of IBS presentation makes treatment difficult. Although there are reviews and guidelines for treating IBS, they focus on the efficacy of medications for IBS symptoms using high-priority endpoints, leaving those of lower priority largely unreported. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive evidence-based review of the diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment to guide clinicians diagnosing and treating their patients.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Evidence-Based Medicine; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Life Style; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Risk Factors; Risk Reduction Behavior; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 24944467
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i22.6759 -
Lancet (London, England) Nov 2020Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms including abdominal pain associated with a change in stool form or frequency. The... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms including abdominal pain associated with a change in stool form or frequency. The condition affects between 5% and 10% of otherwise healthy individuals at any one point in time and, in most people, runs a relapsing and remitting course. The best described risk factor is acute enteric infection, but irritable bowel syndrome is also more common in people with psychological comorbidity and in young adult women than in the rest of the general population. The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome is incompletely understood, but it is well established that there is disordered communication between the gut and the brain, leading to motility disturbances, visceral hypersensitivity, and altered CNS processing. Other less reproducible mechanisms might include genetic associations, alterations in gastrointestinal microbiota, and disturbances in mucosal and immune function. In most people, diagnosis can be made on the basis of clinical history with limited and judicious use of investigations, unless alarm symptoms such as weight loss or rectal bleeding are present, or there is a family history of inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease. Once the diagnosis is made, an empathetic approach is key and can improve quality of life and symptoms, and reduce health-care expenditure. The mainstays of treatment include patient education about the condition, dietary changes, soluble fibre, and antispasmodic drugs. Other treatments tend to be reserved for people with severe symptoms and include central neuromodulators, intestinal secretagogues, drugs acting on opioid or 5-HT receptors, or minimally absorbed antibiotics (all of which are selected according to predominant bowel habit), as well as psychological therapies. Increased understanding of the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome in the past 10 years has led to a healthy pipeline of novel drugs in development.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Brain; Dietary Fiber; Gastrointestinal Agents; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Quality of Life
PubMed: 33049223
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31548-8 -
Journal of Medicine and Life Feb 2022Many aspects make irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) challenging for both patients and physicians. The unclear pathogenesis with many pathways to be explored, bothering... (Review)
Review
Many aspects make irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) challenging for both patients and physicians. The unclear pathogenesis with many pathways to be explored, bothering symptoms that affect the quality of life, and many subtypes of the condition are only a few reasons that make IBS difficult to control and obtain satisfactory results. Treatment options start with general advice for lifestyle, continue with non-pharmaceutical treatments, and finally touch classic treatments. In this review, pharmaceutical treatment options are not accounted for. Consensus groups and meta-analyses have concluded guidelines that overall are the same, with variations in the strength of recommendations and some cultural and geographical particularities. Dietary interventions, probiotics, and fibers can be seen as non-pharmaceutical treatments that coexist in various protocols because of the relevant evidence regarding their efficacy in treating IBS symptoms.
Topics: Diet; Disaccharides; Fermentation; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Monosaccharides; Probiotics; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35419092
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2022-0028 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Jul 2023Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disease with a significant impact on patients' quality of life and a high socioeconomic burden. And... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disease with a significant impact on patients' quality of life and a high socioeconomic burden. And the understanding of IBS has changed since the release of the Rome IV diagnosis in 2016. With the upcoming Rome V revision, it is necessary to review the results of IBS research in recent years. In this review of IBS, we can highlight future concerns by reviewing the results of IBS research on epidemiology, overlap disorders, pathophysiology, and treatment over the past decade and summarizing the latest research.
Topics: Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Quality of Life; Prevalence; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 37475846
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i26.4120 -
Nutrients Apr 2021Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits.... (Review)
Review
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain associated with defecation or a change in bowel habits. Gut microbiota, which acts as a real organ with well-defined functions, is in a mutualistic relationship with the host, harvesting additional energy and nutrients from the diet and protecting the host from pathogens; specific alterations in its composition seem to play a crucial role in IBS pathophysiology. It is well known that diet can significantly modulate the intestinal microbiota profile but it is less known how different nutritional approach effective in IBS patients, such as the low-FODMAP diet, could be responsible of intestinal microbiota changes, thus influencing the presence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The aim of this review was to explore the effects of different nutritional protocols (e.g., traditional nutritional advice, low-FODMAP diet, gluten-free diet, etc.) on IBS-D symptoms and on intestinal microbiota variations in both IBS-D patients and healthy subjects. To date, an ideal nutritional protocol does not exist for IBS-D patients but it seems crucial to consider the effect of the different nutritional approaches on the intestinal microbiota composition to better define an efficient strategy to manage this functional disorder.
Topics: Diarrhea; Diet; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome
PubMed: 33946961
DOI: 10.3390/nu13051506 -
Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology &... Aug 2020Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders of gut-brain interaction worldwide, defined according to patterns of gastrointestinal symptoms as... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders of gut-brain interaction worldwide, defined according to patterns of gastrointestinal symptoms as described by the Rome diagnostic criteria. However, these criteria, developed with reference to research conducted largely in Western populations, might be limited in their applicability to other countries and cultures. Epidemiological data show a wide variation in the prevalence of IBS globally and more rigorous studies are needed to accurately determine any differences that might exist between countries as well as the potential explanations. The effects of IBS on the individual, in terms of their quality of life, and on health-care delivery and society, in terms of economic costs, are considerable. Although the magnitude of these effects seems to be comparable between nations, their precise nature can vary based on the existence of societal and cultural differences. The pathophysiology of IBS is complex and incompletely understood; genetics, diet and the gut microbiome are all recognized risk factors, but the part they play might be influenced by geography and culture, and hence their relative importance might vary between countries. This Review aims to provide an overview of the burden of IBS in a global context, to discuss future implications for the care of people with IBS worldwide, and to identify key areas for further research.
Topics: Absenteeism; Autonomic Nervous System; Cost of Illness; Diet; Dysbiosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Global Health; Health Care Costs; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Intestinal Mucosa; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Permeability; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Risk Factors
PubMed: 32296140
DOI: 10.1038/s41575-020-0286-8 -
Nutrients Jun 2021Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is still a common functional gastrointestinal disease that presents chronic abdominal symptoms but with a pathophysiology that is not yet... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is still a common functional gastrointestinal disease that presents chronic abdominal symptoms but with a pathophysiology that is not yet fully elucidated. Moreover, the use of the synergistic combination of prebiotics and probiotics, known as synbiotics, for IBS therapy is still in the early stages. Advancements in technology led to determining the important role played by probiotics in IBS, whereas the present paper focuses on the detailed review of the various pathophysiologic mechanisms of action of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics via multidisciplinary domains involving the gastroenterology (microbiota modulation, alteration of gut barrier function, visceral hypersensitivity, and gastrointestinal dysmotility) immunology (intestinal immunological modulation), and neurology (microbiota-gut-brain axis communication and co-morbidities) in mitigating the symptoms of IBS. In addition, this review synthesizes literature about the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of prebiotics and synbiotics for patients with IBS, discussing clinical studies testing the efficiency and outcomes of synbiotics used as therapy for IBS.
Topics: Anxiety; Brain; Comorbidity; Depression; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestines; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Synbiotics
PubMed: 34203002
DOI: 10.3390/nu13062112 -
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers Mar 2016Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease with a high population prevalence. The disorder can be debilitating in some patients, whereas... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease with a high population prevalence. The disorder can be debilitating in some patients, whereas others may have mild or moderate symptoms. The most important single risk factors are female sex, younger age and preceding gastrointestinal infections. Clinical symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or discomfort, stool irregularities and bloating, as well as other somatic, visceral and psychiatric comorbidities. Currently, the diagnosis of IBS is based on symptoms and the exclusion of other organic diseases, and therapy includes drug treatment of the predominant symptoms, nutrition and psychotherapy. Although the underlying pathogenesis is far from understood, aetiological factors include increased epithelial hyperpermeability, dysbiosis, inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, epigenetics and genetics, and altered brain-gut interactions. IBS considerably affects quality of life and imposes a profound burden on patients, physicians and the health-care system. The past decade has seen remarkable progress in our understanding of functional bowel disorders such as IBS that will be summarized in this Primer.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Female; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Risk Factors
PubMed: 27159638
DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2016.14 -
Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology &... Sep 2023Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 5-10% of the global population. Up to one-third of people with IBS also experience anxiety or depression. Gastrointestinal and... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 5-10% of the global population. Up to one-third of people with IBS also experience anxiety or depression. Gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms both drive health-care use in people with IBS, but psychological comorbidity seems to be more important for long-term quality of life. An integrated care approach that addresses gastrointestinal symptoms with nutrition and brain-gut behaviour therapies is considered the gold standard. However, best practice for the treatment of individuals with IBS who have a comorbid psychological condition is unclear. Given the rising prevalence of mental health disorders, discussion of the challenges of implementing therapy for people with IBS and anxiety and depression is critical. In this Review, we draw upon our expertise in gastroenterology, nutrition science and psychology to highlight common challenges that arise when managing patients with IBS and co-occurring anxiety and depression, and provide recommendations for tailoring clinical assessment and treatment. We provide best practice recommendations, including dietary and behavioural interventions that could be applied by non-specialists and clinicians working outside an integrated care model.
Topics: Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Mental Health; Quality of Life; Comorbidity; Anxiety
PubMed: 37268741
DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00794-z -
Mayo Clinic Proceedings Dec 2018Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with diverse pathophysiologic mechanisms. These mechanisms include increased abnormal colonic motility or transit,... (Review)
Review
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with diverse pathophysiologic mechanisms. These mechanisms include increased abnormal colonic motility or transit, intestinal or colorectal sensation, increased colonic bile acid concentration, and superficial colonic mucosal inflammation, as well as epithelial barrier dysfunction, neurohormonal up-regulation, and activation of secretory processes in the epithelial layer. Novel approaches to treatment include lifestyle modification, changes in diet, probiotics, and pharmacotherapy directed to the motility, sensation, and intraluminal milieu of patients with IBS. Despite recent advances, there is a need for development of new treatments to relieve pain in IBS without deleterious central or other adverse effects.
Topics: Antidepressive Agents; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Constipation; Diet Therapy; Exercise; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Intestines; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Visceral Pain
PubMed: 30522596
DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.04.032