Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex, functional gastrointestinal condition characterized by abdominal pain and alteration in bowel habits without an organic cause. One of the subcategories of this disorder is IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). Clinically, patients who present with more than 3 months of abdominal pain or discomfort associated with an increase in stool frequency and/or loose stool form are defined as having IBS-D. This review addresses IBS-D, detailing the epidemiology, etiology and genetics, pathophysiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical manifestations and physical examination findings, differential diagnosis, treatment, emerging therapies, complications, and prognosis. Figures show potential mechanisms and pathophysiology of IBS, IBS-D suspected by clinical assessment and Rome III criteria, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options, potential mechanisms of action of probiotics, and potential treatment modalities. Tables list the Rome criteria for IBS, alarm signs and symptoms suggestive of alternative diagnoses, IBS criteria, differential diagnosis of IBS-D, dietary advice options for IBS-D, and alternative and emerging therapies in IBS-D. This review contains 5 figures, 6 tables and 42 references KEYWORDS: IBS-D, eluxadoline, rifaximin, probiotics, bloating, antidepressants, bile acid malabsorption, microscopic colitis, celiac