A 38-year-old female presents to the clinic with a 3-month history of intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. She denies fever, weight loss, or nocturnal symptoms. A physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following diagnostic criteria is most consistent with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
- APositive serology for celiac disease.
- BEvidence of mucosal inflammation on colonoscopy.
- CRecurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least one day per week in the last three months, associated with two or more of the following: related to defecation, change in frequency of stool, or change in form of stool.
- DPresence of inflammatory markers in stool samples.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least one day per week in the last three months, associated with two or more of the following: related to defecation, change in frequency of stool, or change in form of stool.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder diagnosed primarily by symptom-based criteria, specifically the Rome IV criteria. The key components include recurrent abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits. Options A, C, and D are diagnostic for other conditions or indicate organic disease, which is typically absent in IBS.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Positive celiac serology indicates celiac disease, which is a distinct organic condition.
- B. Mucosal inflammation indicates inflammatory bowel disease, not IBS.
- D. Inflammatory markers suggest inflammatory bowel disease, not IBS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Diagnosis
IBS is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits without identifiable organic cause.
- Diagnosed using Rome IV criteria.
- Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea.
- No structural abnormalities found on diagnostic tests.
Memory trick: Rome's Bowel Rules: Pain, Poop, Pattern