Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

A functional bowel disorder causing bowel symptoms with no explanation

Question 2

Is it common?

Answer 2

Very common, affects 1 in 5 people

Question 3

Who does it affect?

Answer 3

Usual onset is below 40 years old and affects more females

Question 4

Risk Factors (5)

Answer 4

Anxiety, depression, infection, antibiotics, eating disorders

Question 5

Symptoms (6)

Answer 5

abdominal pain, pain relieved by defaecation, diarrhoea and constipation, bloating, nausea, bladder symptoms

Question 6

How long must the symptoms last for?

Answer 6

More than 6 months

Question 7

Main Differentials (2)

Answer 7

Inflammatory bowel disease or Coeliac

Question 8

What bloods would you do?

Answer 8

FBC, ESR, CRP, LFT, U&E Coeliac Antibodies, B12/folate, TSH

Question 9

Other Investigations (3)

Answer 9

Stool tests (calprotectin, elastase, occult blood), endoscopy, ovarian cancer screen (Ca 125)

Question 10

Treatment

Answer 10

Symptomatic relief using healthy diet e.g FODMAP, probiotics, laxatives, anti-spasmodics for bloating, psychological therapy e.g CBT