Recommendations for the Evaluation and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease With Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Like Symptoms: A Joint Rome Foundation and International Organization for the Study of IBD (IOIBD) Consensus.
- Open access
A joint consensus defines "IBD with IBS-like symptoms" and recommends standardized evaluation and treatment strategies for patients in remission with persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Why it matters: Addressing diagnostic ambiguity and unnecessary treatment escalation is crucial, as many IBD patients in remission experience symptoms resembling IBS, yet lack clear management guidelines.
- What they did: Thirteen international experts reviewed 133 statements using a structured consensus process, ultimately endorsing terminology, diagnostic criteria, remission thresholds, and therapies for IBD with IBS-like symptoms.
- The result: The guidelines enable more accurate diagnosis and effective management, including dietary, pharmacologic, and behavioral therapies, and support future research into underlying mechanisms and treatments.