Post-infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered to be a functional disease, chracterised by the presence of symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and abnormal defecation in the absence of organic disease (diagnosis of exclusion). Although it does not increase mortality, it strongly impairs quality of life and increases health-care costs. The prevalence of the disease varies from 3% to 22%, depending on the criteria used and the health-care system of the country, being most accurate figure the second one, since a lot of sufferers do not seek medical advice or adopt paramedical treatment. Little is known regarding etiology. There are several theories supporting an altered intestinal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, abnormal brain interpretation of pain signals, abnormal gas propulsion, altered gut flora, and food constituent intolerance as etiopathogenetic factors, with a background of a disturbed psychological profile. The majority of patients with IBS present with increased scores of stress, anxiety, depression and hypochondriasis, symptoms that are rather part of the cause than the outcome of the disease. A subgroup of patients who are initially diagnosed as suffering from IBS, are subsequently found to have microscopic colitis or celiac disease. The latter is present in 3% to 5% of patients with IBS symptoms. These entities, as well as lactose intolerance, low-grade Crohnis disease or the less frequent idiopathic bile-salt malabsorption, should always be included in the differential diagnosis.
Source: Annals of Gastroenterology
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1491813075