Year: 2012
Type: editorial
Abstract: We read the study by Engsbro et al. with interest.1 The authors evaluated the stability of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtypes over 10 weeks, making comparisons between a 1- vs. 2-week sampling period. They found that while there was good agreement between both time periods, a 2-week frame offered greater stability. This study provides an insight into a lacuna in the Rome criteria, which exists in the time frame used to define an alternator.2 Not unexpectedly, a 1-week measurement period causes much more variation, thus resulting in more IBS-A (Alternators). The results on subtype stability validate the findings in two other similar studies, where bowel habits over 2-week frames were used in the subtype definition and where it was similarly demonstrated that switching between subtypes occur with regularity.3, 4 There are two areas in the study that warrant closer scrutiny – First, there were a large number of subjects classified as IBS-U (Unclassified), and the switching between the other subtypes and IBS-U was the most common pattern and this is not commonly seen with subtyping in other studies. Rather than being a true subtype switch, one wonders if this was a result of a failure to properly classify these ‘Unclassified’ subjects. The second concern, which was acknowledged by the authors, was the relatively short study period of 10 weeks, making it impossible to address the issue of long-term subtype stability as has been done at least one other study.3 Declaration of personal and funding interests: None.
Authors: R. K. Wong, D. A. Drossman
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2082079993