Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnętrznej
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Pol. Arch. Med. Wewn. · Aug 2021
ReviewRecent advances in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder which presents with abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. It affects about 20% of the general population, mainly women, and has a considerable impact on the quality of life and health care costs. Four different entities of IBS have been identified: IBS with constipation (IBS‑ C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS D), IBS with a mixed pattern of constipation and diarrhea, and unclassified IBS. ⋯ Bulking agents and osmotic laxatives represent the first line therapy for IBS‑ C, while lubiprostone and linaclotide should be reserved for difficult to treat patients. The involvement of gastrointestinal microbiota constitutes a fascinating field of exploration as it offers the potential to be modulated by the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics as well as fecal microbiota transplantation. This review offers an updated overview on the recent advances in the treatment of IBS.