The role of endoscopy in irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Commentary

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common condition encountered in general gastroenterology practice. IBS has protean manifestations but is typically characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and disturbed defecation. The prevalence of IBS is estimated to be between 14% and 24% in women and 5% and 19% in men in the United States and Britain and is responsible for 2.4 to 3.5 million physician visits per year. The estimated total direct cost associated with IBS was $1.6 billion in 1998 with medication costs and the costs associated with diagnostic testing comprising the largest components of this estimate. Drs Cash and Chey focus on the role of endoscopy in a cost-effective diagnostic evaluation of IBS.

Grace Elta, MD

Editor