Screening Individuals With Irritable Bowel Syndrome–Type Symptoms for Celiac Disease: Time for a Rethink?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel habit.1 Many patients with IBS also report troublesome bloating or visible abdominal distension. The condition affects between 5% and 20% of the population,2 depending on the criteria used to define its presence, and is more common in women and younger individuals.2,3 Although IBS is not a diagnosis of exclusion,4 with physicians advised to minimize invasive investigations, the symptoms of IBS are not specific,5 and may occur in several other organic GI conditions.
Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research