The symptoms of IBS are varied and inconsistent among patients. Moreover, there are no characteristically abnormal tests that can be used to diagnose IBS. All of this has made it difficult to define IBS and identify patients, especially for research studies. In 1992, a group of international investigators of gastrointestinal diseases met in Rome and developed a set of criteria to be used for diagnosing IBS. The criteria were modified in 1999 and again in 2006. These three sets of criteria are known as the Rome, I, II, and III criteria.
The the most recent criteria, the Rome III criteria state that in order to be diagnosed with IBS, a patient should have abdominal discomfort or discomfort (not described as pain) at least once weekly for at least two months. The discomfort should be associated with two out of three of the following features:
There should be no evidence of an inflammatory, anatomic (obstructive), metabolic, or neoplastic (tumorous) cause of the symptoms.
Symptoms of dyspepsia (defined by Rome III criteria as abdominal discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen), abdominal distention, and increased flatus (passing gas, or flatulence) do not fall within this definition. Nevertheless, many patients have these symptoms along with the symptoms of IBS. It is not clear if these patients have one problem (IBS) or more than one problem.
The the most recent criteria, the Rome III criteria state that in order to be diagnosed with IBS, a patient should have abdominal discomfort or discomfort (not described as pain) at least once weekly for at least two months. The discomfort should be associated with two out of three of the following features:
- Relief with a bowel movement
- Onset associated with a change in the frequency of bowel movement
- Onset associated with a change in the form (appearance) of stool
There should be no evidence of an inflammatory, anatomic (obstructive), metabolic, or neoplastic (tumorous) cause of the symptoms.
Symptoms of dyspepsia (defined by Rome III criteria as abdominal discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen), abdominal distention, and increased flatus (passing gas, or flatulence) do not fall within this definition. Nevertheless, many patients have these symptoms along with the symptoms of IBS. It is not clear if these patients have one problem (IBS) or more than one problem.
