Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Primary Care Physicians Compared with Gastroenterologists

Perceptions and Practices of Primary Care Providers in Europe and the US in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Multinational Survey

BACKGROUND

The knowledge and proficiency of primary care practitioners (PCPs) in diagnosing and managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remain generally low and variable internationally. This variability is partly due to a lack of familiarity with the Rome Foundation diagnostic criteria and treatment guidelines for this condition.

METHODS

We conducted an electronic survey of PCPs in the United States and nine European countries to assess their understanding of IBS pathophysiology; the use of Rome IV criteria in diagnosis, knowledge of and frequency in prescribing various recommended treatments; and the likelihood of referring patients with suspected IBS to subspecialists.

RESULTS

Most PCPs in the United States and Europe perceive IBS as a diagnosis of exclusion rather than a definitive diagnosis. They also believe IBS is underdiagnosed in primary care and challenging to diagnose confidently. The majority of PCPs consider diet as a crucial component of IBS management. Notably, US PCPs reported greater confidence than their European counterparts in recommending dietary interventions such as increased dietary fiber, a low FODMAP diet, and gluten restriction. Conversely, both groups exhibited moderate to high confidence in recommending over-the-counter treatments. European PCPs showed greater confidence in treating IBS with antispasmodics and secretagogues, while US PCPs expressed greater confidence in prescribing neuromodulators. Additionally, US PCPs were more likely to refer patients with suspected IBS to a gastroenterologist, whereas both US and European PCPs showed similar referral patterns to dietitians and referred very few patients to mental health providers. Both US and European PCPs reported that IBS is moderately to extremely difficult to treat effectively and emphasized the importance of a strong and longitudinal doctor-patient relationship in managing the condition.

CONCLUSION

Despite the Rome Foundation recommendations and criteria to support a positive diagnosis of IBS, most PCPs still rely on exclusionary investigations such as endoscopy and a serologic workup, while a significant percentage suggest referring patients to gastroenterologists.

The role of miRNA in IBS pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy: The latest thought

IBS is a prevalent clinical condition affecting bowel function. There is a restricted comprehension of its pathogenesis, an absence of particular diagnostic tools, and an insufficiency of efficient pharmacological remedies. MiRNAs are a highly conserved class of non-coding small molecule RNAs, with a length of 20-24 nucleotides. Research has shown the presence of a number of differentially expressed miRNAs in the colonic tissue and peripheral blood of IBS patients. Meanwhile, miRNAs have a critical role in gene expression and the pathology of IBS as they act as significant mediators of post-transcriptional gene silencing. The investigation of miRNA molecular regulatory networks proves useful in examining the convoluted pathogenesis of IBS. This paper presents a review of recent literature on miRNAs associated with IBS, explains how miRNAs contribute to the development of IBS, and assesses the potential usefulness of miRNA analysis for diagnosing and treating IBS.

The Neutrophil-to-Albumin Ratio (NAR): A Novel Index in Relation to Clinical Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Psychological Status in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D)

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and alterations in bowel habits. Despite the importance of biomarkers in disease management, the quest for precise and non-invasive biomarkers for IBS continues.

Methods

This study focuses on investigating the clinical significance of the neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NAR) as a potential biomarker in IBS. A cohort of 86 patients diagnosed with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and 106 healthy individuals were assessed for clinical symptoms, quality of life (QOL), psychological status, as well as serum and mucosal cytokine production.

Results

Our findings revealed that NAR levels were notably elevated in patients with IBS-D compared to healthy controls. Positive correlations were observed between NAR levels and IBS clinical symptoms, while negative correlations were noted with QOL. Additionally, NAR showed positive associations with anxiety and depression scores, along with significant relationships with cytokine production (serum IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, MCP-1; mucosal IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17A) in IBS-D. Interestingly, patients with lower baseline NAR levels demonstrated potentially better clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

The study underscores the potential utility of NAR as a novel biomarker in IBS, emphasizing its role in enhancing disease monitoring, understanding disease pathophysiology, and tailoring treatment strategies for patients with IBS-D.