107
Views
8
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Functional Disorder

Symptom classification in irritable bowel syndrome as a guide to treatment

, , , , , & , MD show all
Pages 796-803 | Received 22 Oct 2008, Published online: 21 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Objective. The treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains unsatisfactory. There are no objective markers for diagnosis, and classification (currently based on symptoms) provides little insight into potential causes or optimal therapy. The aim of this study was to determine whether a Swedish classification of IBS based on cluster analysis of patients’ symptoms might provide a guide to successful treatment. Material and methods. Patients in a research clinic for IBS were classified according to criteria published by Ragnarsson & Bodemar (R&B) and also assessed independently by a clinician. Patients fulfilling the R&B criteria for subgroups 1 and 2 received specific treatments, either bulk laxatives or dietary treatment to reduce colonic fermentation, respectively. Patients who did not fit into these categories were given “best treatment” targeted at their predominant symptoms, but not limited in any way. Results before and after follow-up were assessed using a validated symptom-scoring scale. Results. Seventy-one successive patients were recruited, and the numbers falling into R&B subgroups 1 and 2 were 15 (21%), and 28 (39%), respectively, leaving 28 (39%) unclassified. Receiver operating characteristic plots showed that the criteria for separation into subgroups 1 and 2 correlated well with the clinician's assessment. After treatment, symptom scores for the whole group showed a significant improvement (p<0.0001), but results were significantly better in subgroups 1 and 2 than in those unclassified, even when allowance was made for a potential therapeutic placebo effect of 40%. Conclusion. The R&B classification provides a helpful guide to treatment in many cases of IBS.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 336.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.