There is helpful, patient-friendly information and advice to be found on the GI section of the NHS Lothian Internet pages. There are also some videos by our very own GI team which patients have been responding very positively to. Consider sharing the link with patients and/or carers.
https://services.nhslothian.scot/GI/IBS opens a new window
How Doctors Make a Diagnosis of IBS opens a new window
IBS Introduction opens a new window
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10-20% of the adult population
- Females are twice as likely to present as males
- Symptoms are most common in those ages 20-30
Consider a POSITIVE diagnosis of IBS in patients with any of the following symptoms for >6 months:
- Abdominal pain related to defaecation
- Change in bowel habit
- Change in stool form
features such as bloating, lethargy, nausea, backache and bladder symptoms are common in people with IBS and may be used to support the diagnosis
The advice in the pathway below regarding Faecal Calprotectin is now out of date. We are working to update this as soon as we can, but in the meantime please see the advice on the updated RefHelp IBD page opens a new window about how to use, interpret and follow up FCP results.
IBS Diagnostic Pathway
NOTES.
- Family history of colon cancer is especially relevant if a first degree relative (FDR) <50yrs is affected, or if there are 2 FDRs affected at an older age.
- Faecal calprotectin is useful in identifying patients with a higher probability of organic colonic disease. Availability, assays and protocols for the use of these tests vary, and local guidance on their usage and interpretation should be followed.
- In patients with persistent watery diarrhoea not responding to Rx, consider the possibility of microscopic colitis and possible need for colonic biopsies.
IBS Post-Diagnostic Management and Referral Pathway
