Update on Irritable Bowel Syndrome Program of Research

Abstract

Purpose: This article provides an update and overview of a nursing research program focused on understanding the pathophysiology and management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: This review includes English language papers from the United States, Europe, and Asia (e.g., South Korea) from 1999 to 2013. We addressed IBS as a health problem, emerging etiologies, diagnostic and treatment approaches and the importance of a biopsychosocial model. Results: IBS is a chronic, functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and alterations in bowel habit (diarrhea, constipation, mixed). It is a condition for which adults, particularly women ages 20-45, seek health care services in both the United States and South Korea. Clinically, nurses play key roles in symptom prevention and management including designing and implementing approaches to enhance the patients' self-management strategies. Multiple mechanisms are believed to participate in the development and maintenance of IBS symptoms including autonomic nervous system dysregulation, intestinal inflammation, intestinal dysbiosis, dietary intolerances, alterations in emotion regulation, heightened visceral pain sensitivity, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal dysregulation, and dysmotility. Because IBS tends to occur in families, genetic factors may also contribute to the pathophysiology. Patients with IBS often report a number of co-morbid disorders and/or symptoms including poor sleep. Conclusion: The key to planning effective management strategies is to understand the heterogeneity of this disorder. Interventions for IBS include non-pharmacological strategies such as cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation strategies, and exclusion diets.

A systematic review of the prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome among medical students

“…It was found that there is an increased IBS risk among the first, second, and third-degree relatives from a Swedish population. Genetic factors may also contribute to the patho-physiology, which indicates a genetic component of the familial clustering of IBS (40). These studies correlate with results obtained among medical students.…”

“… Sleep disorder IBS patients were generally reported to have poor sleep (40). It was postulated that poor sleep is a dangerous stress factor which can seriously influence gastrointestinal function, cognition, emotion, and somatic reaction.…”

So-Eum Type as an Independent Risk Factor for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Population-Based Study in Korea

“…Inflammation is known to affect IBS. 46 However, we found no significant difference in the potential factor among the SCTs (e.g., hsCRP [ Table 1]). Stress response to psychological stress can also be a possible mediator for the relationship.…”

Efficacy and Safety of High Specific Volume Polysaccharide—A New Type of Dietary Fiber for Treatment of Functional Constipation and IBS-C

“…Irritable bowel syndrome-constipation (IBS-C) is a type of IBS characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort, lumpy/ hard stools, and abnormal stool passage (straining, or feeling of incomplete evacuation) (2,3). Although the pathophysiology of constipation is multifactorial and not yet fully understood, considerable evidence supports involvement of the microbiome, immune function, diet, genetics, psychological distress, and recent environmental stress as contributing factors (4).…”