Abstract

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Modern Concepts and Management Options

Sayuk GS1, Gyawali CP2. Am J Med. 2015 Feb 27. pii: S0002-9343(15)00168-0. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2015.01.036. [Epub ahead of print]
 
     
Author information

1Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri USA; John Cochran Veteran Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri USA. 2Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri USA. Electronic address: cprakash@wustl.edu.

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, manifesting as abdominal pain/discomfort and altered bowel function. Despite affecting as many as 20% of adults, a lack of understanding of etio-pathogenesis and evaluation strategies results in diagnostic uncertainty, and in turn frustration of the physician and patient both. This review summarizes the current literature on the diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome, with attention to evidence-based approaches. A four-step treatment strategy which has been used successfully in our tertiary referral practice is presented, and should lead to successful therapeutic outcomes in the majority of irritable bowel syndrome patients.

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