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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Aka: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Chronic Diarrhea
EpidemiologyLifetime Prevalence : 10-22% Slightly more common in women Prevalence for elderly same as for youngMost common condition seen by Gastroenterologists
PathophysiologyOrganic gastrointestinal hypersensitivity Provoked by psychosocial risk factors Severe Gastroenteritis episode may be associated
Associated ConditionsGastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseDysphagia Globus Hystericus Fatigue Non-cardiac Chest Pain Urologic dysfunction Gynecologic disease (e.g. Chronic Pelvic Pain ) Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Temperomandibular joint syndrome Food Allergy Low-fiber diet
Risk Factors: PsychosocialAnxiety Major Depression Somatization Disorder Sexual abuse or physical abuse Stressful life events Substance Abuse
TypesAlternating Diarrhea and Constipation Nervous Diarrhea Predominant Constipation Upper abdominal bloating and discomfort
SymptomsAltered bowel habitsDiarrhea Constipation Scybalous stools Recurrent and Chronic Abdominal Pain Upper abdominal discomfort after eating Left Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain Right Lower Quadrant Abdominal Pain Abdominal Pain relieved with Defecation GaseousnessExcessive Flatulence or Eructation Normal patients experience about 13 farts per day Nausea or Vomiting
Diagnosis: Rome III CriteriaAbdominal symptoms persistent or recurrent for 6 months or moreSymptoms occur on at least three days per month for at least 3 months Abdominal Pain , bloating or discomfortMarked change in bowel habitsChange in stool frequency Change in stool consistency (Constipation or Diarrhea ) Altered stool passageStraining for normal consistency stool Urgency of Defecation Incomplete evacuation Two or more belowPain relieved with Defecation Onset of pain is related to a change in frequency of stool Onset of pain is related to a change in appearance of stool
Diagnosis: Manning CriteriaOnset of pain linked to more frequent Bowel Movement s Looser stools associated with onset of pain Pain relieved by stool passage Noticeable abdominal bloating Sensation of incomplete evacuation more than 25% of the time Diarrhea with mucus more than 25% of the time
Red Flags: Symptoms and signs suggestive of other diagnosisNighttime Diarrhea Nocturnal stool Incontinence Nocturnal awakening due to abdominal discomfort Abdominal Pain that interferes with normal sleepVisible or occult blood in stool Weight loss Recurrent Fever Family History of Colon Cancer Family History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Elderly Diarrhea without pain suggests alternative diagnosisLaboratory abnormalityLeukocytosis Anemia Increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Differential DiagnosisColonic Adenocarcinoma Inflammatory Bowel Disease Ulcerative Colitis Crohn's Disease Abdominal Angina (Ischemic colitis) Pseudo-obstruction (Diabetes Mellitus , Scleroderma ) Intermittent sigmoid volvulus Toxic Megacolon or bacterial overgrowth syndrome Endocrine causesHypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism Diabetes Mellitus Addison's Disease MalabsorptionCeliac Sprue (strongly consider if Diarrhea with red flags)Lactose Intolerance Pancreatic insufficiency Giardia sisEndometriosis Psychiatric illnessDepression Somatization Anxiety Disorder or Panic Disorder MedicationsLaxative sConstipating medications
EvaluationGeneralAvoid a piecemeal work-upPerform a complete evaluation the first time Avoid over-investigation Irritable bowel is no longer diagnosis of exclusionDiagnostic criteria above are sufficient to treat Indications for full evaluation and GastroenterologyRed flags present (see above) or Onset over age 50 years Careful HistoryHistory of Gastrointestinal Symptoms Family History of gastrointestinal diseaseMarital History Sexual Abuse (strong correlation) Reasonable examThorough abdominal examination Also focus on possible endocrine causes Look for Food IntoleranceLactose Intolerance Sorbitol Wheat (Gluten Sensitive Enteropathy )
Labs: Initial, based on predominant symptomConstipation dominantComplete Blood Count (CBC)Serum Electrolytes or Chemistry panel (chem8) Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)Diarrhea predominantEvaluation in absence of negative red flagsComplete Blood Count (CBC)Tissue transglutaminase IgA for Celiac Sprue Other tests to consider if indicated by history (previously recommended as part of standard default protocol)Stool Ova and Parasite sFecal Leukocytes Serum Electrolytes or chemistry panel Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) or C-Reactive Protein (C-RP) Pain DominantComplete Blood Count (CBC) Special topicsFlexible Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy Not absolutely indicated if remainder of evaluation suggests Irritable Bowel Syndrome Consider if red flags or age over 50 years ReferenceFass (2001) Arch Intern Med 161:2081-8
Diagnostic studiesFlexible Sigmoidoscopy More uncomfortable in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Consider additional studies as indicatedUpper GI Study Barium Enema
Management: General MeasureSee the patient frequentlyMaintain a strong doctor-patient relationship Offer frequent reassurance Identify and treat emotional stressors Answer patients questions in unhurried environment Do not downplay symptoms as psychiatricIrritable Bowel is a real functional bowel problem Explain physiology and absence of serious illness Reduce stressorsTeach relaxation techniques Teach coping mechanisms for chronic illness Exercise General Diet recommendationsGet adequate fluid intake (>64 ounces/day) Bulk agents (gradually increase)Metamucil Citrucel High fiber-bran Avoid FODMAPS (Fementable Oligo- di and mono saccharides and polyols)Avoid fructose (e.g. apples, pears, high fructose corn syrup) Avoid Fructans (fructooligosaccharides, inulins, levans - e.g. high fiber bars) Avoid Lactose (consider challenge with quart of skim milk) Avoid Polyols (sugar Alcohol s: Sorbitol , xylitol, mannitol, malitol Avoid Galactooligosaccharides (e.g. brussel sprouts, onions) Consider avoiding other provocative agentsConsider Elimination Diet Avoid caffeine Avoid Alcohol Avoid Legumes and other gas producing foods (see FODMAPS above) Avoid Artificial Sweetener s and carbonated beverages (see Polyols above) Avoid Fatty meals Corn, wheat and citrus may also exacerbate Irritable Bowel Syndrome Some fiber can also exacerbate symptoms Avoid Provocative or addictive medicationsStimulant Laxative s (except brief use)Correctol Dulcolax Cascara Sedatives or Tranquilizer s (Benzodiazepine s) Narcotic s
Management: Symptom specific medicationsDiarrhea Consider eliminating lactose, caffeine from diet Cholestyramine 4 grams qhs to 6 times dailyLoperamide (Imodium ) 2-4 mg qid prnBefore meals As needed in stressful social situations Ondansetron (Serotonin antagonist)Reduces rapid transit Alosetron (Lotronex)Risk of Constipation and ischemic colitisIatrogenic deaths have occured Black box warning: Signed informed consent needed FDA controlled prescriptions only for women with IBS with Diarrhea Requires special informed consent and must be part of a prescriber program Dose: 1 mg daily (may advance to bid) PeppermintPittler (1998) Am J Gastroenterol 93:1131-5 Comorbid Mood Disorder sMajor Depression SSRI Medications or other Antidepressant sAnxietyBuspar Amitriptyline (Elavil ) Pain dominant symptomsChronic Pain Amitriptyline (Elavil ) 25 mg qhsDesipramine (Norpramin ) 50 mg tidTegaserod (Zelnorm)Nyhlin (2004) Scand J Gastroenterol 39:119-26 SSRI medications may be effective as adjunctTabas (2004) Am J Gastroenterol 99:914-20 Post-prandial pain: AnticholinergicAvoid chronic use Trial for 2 weeks and stop if no effect Dicyclomine (Bentyl) 10-20 mg, 15 min before meal Hyoscyamine (Levsin) 0.125 to 0.25 mg before meal Constipation Use gastro-colic responseWake-up, eat breakfast and anticipate stool in AM First line: Bulk agents (e.g. Fiber , Psyllium , bran)Titrate to 20-30 grams per day Risk of bloating initially Second line (use at bedtime for AM stool)Osmotic agentsLactulose 1-2 teaspoons at bedtimePolyethylene glycol solution 8 ounces at bedtimeMilk of Magnesia 1-2 tablespoons at bedtimeMiralax Consider Stimulant Laxative s if osmotic agents failSenna or Cascara Bisacodyl Third line (prescription agents)Amitiza (Lubiprostone ) Restricted Use agent (emergency use only due to risk)Tegaserod (Zelnorm): 5-HT 4 agonistDose: 6 mg bid 30 minutes before meals Other agents potentially usefulGuar-GumParisi (2002) Dig Dis Sci 47:1696-704 PeppermintPittler (1998) Am J Gastroenterol 93:1131-5 Loxiglumide (cholecystokinin-A receptor antagonist) Excessive flatus (gas)Simethicone 40 to 125 mg up to qidBeta-galactosidase (Beano)
ResourcesInternational Foundation for Functional GI Disordershttp://www.iffgd.org American College of Gastroenterologyhttp://www.ACG.GI.org Mind-Body Digestive Centerhttp://www.mindbodydigestive.com
ReferencesCamilleri (2000) Gastroenterology 120:652-68 Camilleri (1999) Am J Med 107(5A):27F-32S Chang (2006) Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol 9(4):314-23 Drossman (1999) Am J Med 107(5A):41S-50S Hammer (1999) Am J Med 107(5A):5S-11S Heymann-Monnikes (2000) Am J Gastroenterol 95:981-4 Holten (2003) Am Fam Physician 67(10):2157-62 Jailwala (2000) Ann Intern Med 133:136-47 Mertz (2003) N Engl J Med 349:2136-46 Naliboff (1999) Curr Rev Pain 3:144-52 Ringel (2001) Annu Rev Med 52:319-38 Viera (2002) Am Fam Physician 66:1867-80