Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder that commonly presents in primary care and has an array of symptoms including abdominal discomfort and altered bowel habit. There may be an overlap of symptoms with other gastrointestinal disorders, leading to difficulty or delay in diagnosis. The condition can produce a variety of troublesome physical and psychological sequelae causing significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. The aim of this article is to highlight the ways in which IBS can present to the General Practitioner and guide the approach to investigation, diagnosis and management in primary care.