Change over time of bowel habit in irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, observational, 1‐year follow‐up study (RITMO study)

Abstract

The frequency of constipation and diarrhoea remains relatively stable over time. Changes in IBS subtypes are common, but changes between constipation and diarrhoea are rare. Alternating IBS is more frequent in women.

Subtyping the irritable bowel syndrome by predominant bowel habit: Rome II versus Rome III

“…Another possible explanation for our divergent results between Rome II and Rome III subgrouping might relate to the fact that the patients only completed BSF diary cards during 1 week, as compared with the retrospective symptom recall for the previous 3 months. It is well-known that colonic function varies widely, not only in IBS patients, 15,25,26 but also in healthy subjects. 27 One might argue that completing the BSF diary cards for only 1 week is too short, but the optimal time period for this still needs to be defined.…”

“…1 In previous studies using diary cards in IBS patients, time periods used ranged from 1 to 6 weeks. 13,15,17,18,22,23,25 In one of these studies, two different IBS samples completed diary cards for 1 and 6 weeks, respectively, with similar subgroups appearing in both samples. 18 Moreover, another recent study came to similar figures as we did when evaluating the agreement between Rome II subgrouping based On the other hand, stool consistency, which reflects colonic transit time, 19 has according to some recent studies been suggested to be the most specific way to subgroup IBS patients, 14,22,23 which was adopted by the Rome III committee.…”

Prospective Diary Evaluation of Unexplained Abdominal Pain and Bowel Dysfunction: A Population-Based Colonoscopy Study

“…In earlier studies, IBS patients have demonstrated a confirmatory bias for negative material [18], leading to bias when grading their symptoms retrospectively on questionnaires [19]. Thus, the agreement between Rome II questionnaires and stool consistencies recorded prospectively in diaries has been reported to be low [20]. The present data demonstrate that the boundaries between IBS, non-organic abdominal pain, and functional constipation are blurred, especially when symptoms are measured prospectively.…”

Prediction of Delayed Colonic Transit Using Bristol Stool Form and Stool Frequency in Eastern Constipated Patients: A Difference From the West

“…There are a few plausible explanations on these findings. First, in IBS patients, stool consistency varies greatly within each individual, and bowel habits were also found to change overtime, 36,37 thus the reliability of the measurements of stool form and frequency in IBS patients come into question given this day-to-day variation. Second, colonic absorption and secretion may be different in patients with IBS compared to those without IBS.…”