Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Family Medicine Meera Kaur, PhD, RD, CDE Assistant Professor, Family Medicine University of Manitoba, Canada

2 IBS is defined as “abdominal pain or discomfort that occurs in association with altered bowel habits over a periods of at least three months.” 1 Probably the most challenging of all functional GI disorders 7-10% people worldwide have IBS Prevalence in N. America is 3-20% with an average range of 10-15% Peaks in the 3 rd and 4 th decades of life and declines in 6 th and 7 th decades Patients with IBS consumes 50%more health care resources than those without it. 1 Brandt et al., Am. J.Gastro, 2009;104:SI-S-35 What is IBS?

3 Pathophysiology IBS is characterized by changes in motility in response to environmental or enteric stimuli Visceral hypersensitivity is well documented in IBS patients Serotonin, which has both motility and sensory modulating properties, could represent a common factor linking the symptoms of IBS Mucosal inflammatory process

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5 Symptoms Loose stool Constipation Alternating Diarrhea and Constipation Urges to move bowel again immediately following a bowel movement Mucus in stool

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7 Subtypes Diarrhoea predominant (IBS-D) Constipation predominant (IBS-C) Pain predominant (IBS-P)

8 Diagnosis…. Approach: Before doing any test… – Gain the confidence of the patient at the first consultation, let them talk and just listen –Remain aware that some IBS patients have a hidden agenda –Do not say to the patient what some FPs say, namely, “I don’t know what is wrong with you.” –Do not say what some Specialists say, namely: “There is nothing wrong with you” or “it is in your head.”

9 Diagnosis…. Approach: Before doing any test –Get all the test reports from the other MDs files and –Show & discuss those test results with the patient –In those below 55 yrs. and in the absence of “alarm symptoms”, if “routine” blood tests + ESR/CRP are normal, diagnosis of IBS has: - 83% sensitivity - 97% specificity - 100% PPV Therefore, please consider doing these tests Tolliver et al (1994) Amer J Gast 89:176

1.Manning 2.Kruls 3.Rome 10 Diagnostic Criteria J Jailwala An Int Med 2000;133:

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13 Dietary – e.g. lactose intolerance, ↑ caffeine etc. Infections – Giardia, Bacterial Overgrowth Syndrome Inflammatory Bowel Disease – UC, CD, Microscopic Colitis Malabsorption syndrome – Celiac Disease Pancreatic Insufficiency Psychological – Depression Anxiety, Somatization Other - Neuroses Differential Diagnoses

14 Onset after 55 years Persistent anorexia & weight loss > 10 lbs Persistent “fever” in the evening Pain – changing pattern or increasing after food and persisting for a few hours Awakened by pain &/or diarrhea at night Rectal bleeding, not just on wiping Stools “like malabsorption syndrome” P/E: palpable mass in the abdomen “Red Flags’” - Alarm Symptoms/Signs

5 IBS remains a clinical diagnosis In those below 55 years and in the absence of alarm symptoms, Rome II Criteria (Clinical) has: - Sensitivity → 65% - Specificity → 100% - PPV → 100% Vanner et al (1999) Amer J Gast 94:2912 Diagnosis Summary 1

Traditional therapies focused on individual symptoms of IBS with constipation 16 Abdominal pain / discomfort Bloating / distention Constipation or Diarrhea Abdominal pain / discomfort  Antispasmodics  Tricyclics  Analgesics Bloating and distention  Dietary modifications  Antispasmodics  Antiflatulants  Digestive enzymes  Antibiotics Irregular Bowel Habit  Fiber  Laxatives  Imodium  None of these medications effectively treat the multiple symptoms of IBS. May exacerbate individual symptoms e.g., fiber and bloating; antispasmodics and constipation

IBS: Symptomatic Therapy 17 Abdominal pain/ discomfort Abdominal pain/ discomfort Bloating CONSTIPATION Fibres Osmotic agents 5-HT 4 agonists Prokinetics Altered bowel function Altered bowel function Smooth muscle relaxants 5-HT agonists/antagonists TCAs, SSRIs Smooth muscle relaxants 5-HT agonists/antagonists Antiflatulents DIARRHEA Loperamide Cholestyramine 5-HT 3 antagonists

1.Herbal –Peppermint oil capsule –Turmeric Extract –Artichoke leaf Extract 2. Mind-Body Therapies –Hypnotherapy –Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT) 3.Relaxation Technique 4.Acupuncture and Moxibustion 5.Diet, lifestyle 6.Probiotics 18 Alternative/Complementary Approach Yoon et al, Altern Med Rev, 2011; 16(2):

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Evidence-Based Position Statement on Management of IBS 20 Summary (Grades of Evidence) –IBS defined by abdominal discomfort plus altered bowel habits (C) –IBS significantly decrease quality of life (QOL) of most patients seeking care (C) –Treatment indicated when patient & physician believe QOL is diminished (C) – IBS therapies should improve global symptoms including discomfort, bloating, and altered bowel habits (C) Am J Gastro 2002; 97:S1-S5

Management - Summary Lifestyle (poor data) Diet (poor data) Pain management (meta-analysis) Antidiarrheals (db, pc trials) Osmotic laxatives (poor data) Psychotherapy (no good data) Antidepressants (meta-analysis) Probiotics (poor data) Others - Alternative Medical Therapies (poor data) 21

22 Concluding Statements IBS is a benign condition without benign effects. We should keep an open mind while managing IBS.

23 References Books Journal articles published during International, National and Provincial governments’ relevant websites Regulatory organizations’ websites and reports Other relevant organizations’ publications/reports Evidence-based Guidelines References are available on request

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