Digestive and liver disease : official journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
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The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome is complex and still incompletely known. Potential pathogenetic factors include genes, infectious events, psychological symptoms and other loosely defined environmental factors. ⋯ Lines of evidence also suggest that inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract may be of great importance in at least subgroups of irritable bowel syndrome patients. To conclude, a complex picture of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome is emerging, with interactions between several different alterations resulting in the divergent symptom pattern in these patients.