Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Classification

Diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) [S3 guideline].

The following three criteria must be met:

• There are chronic complaints, that is, lasting longer than three months (for example, abdominal pain, flatulence), which are referred by the patient and physician to the intestine and are usually accompanied by changes in bowel movements.
• The complaints should justify that the patient seeks help because of it and / or worry and be so severe that the quality of life is relevantly affected by this.
• There are no characteristic changes for other clinical pictures, which are probably responsible for these symptoms.

Rome IV criteria [Rome IV].

Recurrent abdominal pain, averaging at least once per week within the past three months, and at least two of the following three symptoms:

• Association of discomfort with defecation.
• Association of complaints with change in stool frequency.
• Association of complaints with change in stool consistency The criteria should be met the last three months, while the onset of symptoms must date back at least 6 months…

Severity of IBS (modified according to).

* Z. E.g., intensity of abdominal pain on an 11-point numerical scale (mild: 1-3; moderate: 4-7; severe: 8-10)* * Z. E.g., days absent from school; sick leave (mild: 0-5%; moderate: 6-10%; severe: >10%).