irritable bowel syndrome

Question 1

define IBS

Answer 1

relapsing functional bowel disorder associated with a change in bowel habit, no organic cause

Question 2

what are the types of IBS and what do they mostly contain?

Answer 2

1. IBS-C
   - mostly constipation
2. IBS-D
   - mostly diarrhoea
3. IBS- M
   - mixed constipation + diarrhoea

Question 3

what are the symptoms of IBS?

Answer 3

• abdominal pain and bloating
• relieved by defecation
• altered stool form/ frequency

Question 4

describe the epidemiology of IBS

Answer 4

• females
• less than 40
• western world
• related to psychology
• stress, drugs and poor diet

Question 5

how is IBS diagnosed?

Answer 5

• no tests just rule out other diseases
• coeliac, IBD, infections
  1. bloods
  2. faecal calciprotein

Question 6

what would the bloods look like in IBS?

Answer 6

• FBC- anaemia
• ESR + CRP- inflammation
• coeliac serology

Question 7

when would faecal calciprotein increase ?

Answer 7

increased in IBD

Question 8

How is IBS treated?

Answer 8

1. conservative
   - patient education and reassurance
   - more/less fibre, avoid caffeine
2. moderate
   - ibs-c - laxatives
   - ibs-d- antimotility drug
3. severe
   - TCA + consider CBT/GI referral