IBS Newsfeed

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2026 Apr;38(4):e70308. doi: 10.1111/nmo.70308. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction that significantly affects patients' quality of life, particularly in educational and professional settings. This study aimed to assess the impact of IBS on schooling, higher education, and future professional life. METHODS: An online survey was conducted among members of a French patient association and visitors to its website. Adult participants provided demographic data, details on disease severity, and feedback on their educational and professional experiences. RESULTS: Among 365 participants with IBS, 42…

Commun Med (Lond). 2026 Apr 8;6(1):176. doi: 10.1038/s43856-026-01498-6. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder associated with high healthcare costs and reduced quality of life. The long-term safety of its pharmacotherapies remains unclear. This study aims to assess the association between long-term pharmacotherapies and all-cause mortality in this population. METHOD: We performed a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide U.S. electronic health record database (January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2023). A 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort included 669,083 adults (aged 18-65) with IBS. Patients were grouped by pharmacotherapy use, with…

BMC Gastroenterol. 2026 Apr 6;26(1):224. doi: 10.1186/s12876-026-04782-w. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is suggested in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Optimal hydrogen levels and time frame for diagnosing SIBO are still under discussion. Our primary aim was to consolidate a discriminating threshold for a positive lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) in IBS. As a secondary aim, we optimized the diagnostic time frame for the small bowel. METHODS: LHBT was performed on 503 subjects who met the inclusion criteria. After excluding non-hydrogen producers, the remaining 462 subjects were 92 healthy individuals and 370 IBS patients. Peak hydr…

Enteritis Linked to Increased Long-Term Risk for IBS medscape.com TOPLINE:Patients who experienced infectious enteritis had a significantly increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, alongside elevated healthcare use, and the excess risk persisted up to 10 years. METHODOLOGY:Infectious enteritis is linked to an increased risk for new-onset IBS. However, prior studies are small, have short follow-up data, and have rarely assessed long-term healthcare use. Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort analysis using electronic health records from a large US network between January 2000 and December 2014 to assess the long-term risk…

A study tested the opposite of what is typically recommended for irritable bowel syndrome ScienceNorway Can IBS patients get better by fasting, even if this goes against traditional advice? A group of researchers has tried to find out. From left: Professor Marianne Molin, university lecturer and researcher Marit Kolby, and master's students Henrik Sverdrup and Maria Thompson Clausen. The last team member is Asgeir Brevik, who is behind the camera. Sverdrup and Clausen are now fully qualified clinical nutritionists. (Photo: Asgeir Brevik) There’s plenty of official advice available for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). One of them is to eat regularly and avoid…

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: time to change practice? Ovid Purpose of reviewTraditional approaches to irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) relied on extensive exclusionary testing and empiric symptom management. Recent advances in understanding neuroimmune pathophysiology, refined diagnostic algorithms, emergence of novel biomarkers, and clarification of comparative treatment efficacy through systematic reviews necessitate evaluation of whether accumulated evidence warrants substantive changes to contemporary diagnostic and therapeutic practice in IBS-D management. Recent findingsDiagnostic paradigms have shifted toward symptom-based approaches utili…

Front Pediatr. 2026 Mar 18;14:1809053. doi: 10.3389/fped.2026.1809053. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Evidence supporting the effectiveness of a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (low-FODMAP) diet in treating functional abdominal pain disorders remains limited. We aimed to assess the efficacy of a low-FODMAP diet compared with a regular diet for management of children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified (FAP-NOS). METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled children aged 8-18 years with IBS or FAP-NOS, diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria. Participants were assi…

1 in 3 Irish adults dealing with IBS symptoms, new research shows SHEmazing! If you’ve ever found yourself frantically googling stomach symptoms at 2am or making mental notes of every loo location in town, you’re definitely not alone. New research reveals that a staggering one in three Irish adults are dealing with IBS symptoms, with over 1.2 million people across the country potentially affected by this frustrating condition. The survey, commissioned for IBS Awareness Month, shows that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is way more common than we previously thought. And here’s something that won’t shock anyone with ovaries: women are significantly more likely to experience these…

CBT for IBS: A Frontline Treatment, Not Adjunct Therapy gastroenterologyadvisor.com Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by dysfunction along the brain-gut axis. Symptoms like chronic pain, diarrhea, and constipation affect patients’ physical state, but they can also impose a substantial burden on patients’ social lives, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. That is why Jeffrey Lackner, PsyD, SUNY distinguished professor and chief of the Division of Behavioral Medicine at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, champions cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a proven treatment for the complex, chronic disease. Other gastrointestinal (GI…

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2026 Apr;38(4):e70304. doi: 10.1111/nmo.70304. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Sucrose malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) present with symptoms that overlap with those of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). Recent studies suggest that sucrose malabsorption is more prevalent than previously thought. This study aims to determine the prevalence of sucrose malabsorption based on 13C-sucrose breath test (SBT) in patients undergoing SIBO breath testing and assess whether symptoms distinguish sucrose malabsorption from SIBO. METHODS: Three hundred patients referred for SIBO breath testing between August 2020 and March 2022 were r…

Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 16;13:1705376. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1705376. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder with substantial psychosocial and economic impacts. Although research on IBS has expanded in recent years, comprehensive data from low- and middle-income countries, including Vietnam, remain limited. This scoping review provides an updated synthesis of IBS epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and psychosocial burden in Vietnam. METHODS: Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance, we systematically sea…

When ‘Diarrhea’ Is Really Constipation: A Pediatrician’s Story for Parents upsonbeacon.com Here’s something my wife (Dr. Stephanie Kong, a pediatrician with Zoe Pediatrics) asked me to share with parents in Upson County. A parent brought her three-year-old to the office for vomiting and diarrhea. This sounded straightforward: The child was throwing up solid foods, but could keep down liquids and soft foods like Jell-O. Her stools were “all liquid.” But when Dr. Kong examined her, the picture changed. The child’s belly was bloated, and stool could be felt in her abdomen. In other words, she wasn’t suffering from a simple stomach bug. She was backed up. Dr. Kong asked whet…

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2026 Apr;38(4):e70301. doi: 10.1111/nmo.70301. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Psychological symptoms are common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and are associated with more severe gastrointestinal symptoms. However, data describing the relationship between psychological symptoms and IBS symptom severity, and how this changes over time, are limited. We aimed to characterize the longitudinal course of psychological symptoms in individuals with Rome IV IBS and examine their association with gastrointestinal symptom severity over the same time period. METHODS: We recruited individuals with self-reported IBS from three UK community-based organization…

Front Nutr. 2026 Mar 12;13:1719048. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1719048. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain associated with changes in stool consistency or bowel movement frequency. It is a highly prevalent chronic relapsing disorder that substantially impairs patients' quality of life and elevates societal healthcare costs. The low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet has emerged as a cornerstone dietary intervention for IBS owing to its demonstrated efficacy in alleviating symptoms. This article systematically reviews the progres…

Gut Microbes Rep. 2025 Apr 20;2(1):2487905. doi: 10.1080/29933935.2025.2487905. eCollection 2025. ABSTRACT The diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is challenging due to its complex symptoms and inconsistent treatment responses. Given the important role of gut microbiota in gastrointestinal health, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising intervention. We describe the case of a 55-y-old woman without prior gastrointestinal issues who, following severe depression, developed multiple gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal pain, fluctuating bowel habits, and a persistent burning sensation in her mouth and upper gastrointestinal trac…

Healthcare (Basel). 2026 Mar 11;14(6):714. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14060714. ABSTRACT Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) exerts a profound burden on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and psychosocial well-being. While lifestyle changes are recommended, the dose-response relationship between physical activity (PA) intensities, symptom severity, and body image remains unclear. This study analyzed the interrelationships between PA intensities, symptom severity, body image satisfaction, and HRQoL in IBS patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 40 adult patients (60% female; 32.53 ± 12.54 years) diagnosed via Rome III/IV criteria. Validated ins…

Biomolecules. 2026 Mar 20;16(3):469. doi: 10.3390/biom16030469. ABSTRACT Most patients with irritable bowel syndrome have diarrhea or constipation, two opposite bowel habits. Although defecation habits represent opposing phenotypes, patients across all subtypes exhibit visceral hypersensitivity. This review explores the common pathway that causes visceral hypersensitivity: the mast cell-PAR2-TRP axis. The mechanism involves tryptase released by mast cells. Furthermore, tryptase activates PAR2, which sensitizes downstream TRP ion channels that conduct pain signals. The review also examines the factors leading to the formation of different fecal characteristics. In terms of…

Antibiotics (Basel). 2026 Feb 27;15(3):251. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics15030251. ABSTRACT Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) share symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Both are linked to dysbiosis and gut-brain axis dysfunction. IBS is a multifactorial disorder characterized by abnormal motility, visceral hypersensitivity, low-grade inflammation, and alterations in the microbiota. In contrast, SIBO is defined by excessive bacterial colonization of the small intestine that can mimic or worsen IBS symptoms. Gut microbes and their metabolites influence motility, immune activation, barrier integrity, an…

Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1080/17474124.2026.2651944. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem in elderly patients over the age of 65 years, which presents unique clinical challenges that distinguish it from IBS in younger populations. AREAS COVERED: Here we emphasize the need for age-specific approaches to optimize clinical outcomes. An inverse relationship exists between age and IBS prevalence, which may be due to reduced intestinal visceral hypersensitivity or lower levels of anxiety in older people. Although the prevalence of IBS in the elderly is lower than in younger populations, it…

Front Immunol. 2026 Mar 11;17:1769070. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1769070. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common non-organic functional gastrointestinal disorder. Recently, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IBS. This review provided an overview of the mechanisms of VNS in IBS and clinical applications. Studies about VNS in the treatment of IBS were systematically retrieved from PubMed, EMbase and CNKI databases. Mechanically, pre-clinical evidence highlights VNS as a multifaceted therapy for IBS, including reducing inflammation via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated suppression o…

Front Microbiol. 2026 Mar 10;17:1780567. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1780567. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To systematically investigate the pooled prevalence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) compared to healthy individuals and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of rifaximin in IBS patients with concomitant SIBO. METHODS: A comprehensive computer-based search was conducted across databases including PubMed and Embase from their inception until December 2025. Relevant cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Sca…

Int J Womens Health. 2026 Feb 6;18:563741. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S563741. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Female sexual function can be influenced by many somatic and psychosocial factors. Many chronic diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), can induce long-term suffering leading to a negative effect on sexual function. The impact of IBS on women's sexual health is an underexplored area, particularly in Middle Eastern populations. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence and domains of sexual dysfunction in Jordanian women with and without IBS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, conducted at two hospitals in Jordan, from February to…

Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 10;13:1771521. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1771521. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, distension, and altered bowel habits that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and imposes a substantial socioeconomic burden. Traditional treatment options, including antispasmodics and probiotics, are often limited by modest efficacy, variable evidence quality, and challenges with long-term adherence, highlighting the need for alternative non-pharmacological strategies. Exercise has gained attention as a non-pharmacological intervention beca…

J Inflamm Res. 2026 Jan 30;19:578822. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S578822. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder. Emerging evidence suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation is a significant pathophysiological mechanism, playing a pivotal role in disrupting intestinal homeostasis and driving disease pathogenesis in a subset of patients. Key contributing factors include intestinal immune dysregulation, gut microbiota imbalance, prior infections, and brain-gut axis dysfunction. Within this complex interplay of physiological and pathological processes, the core mechanisms involve abnormal immune …

Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2026 Mar;22(3):129-131. G&H What are meditative movement practices and which ones are being explored for irritable bowel syndrome and other disorders of gut-brain interaction? ET Meditative movement practices integrate psychological (breathing practices and meditation) and physical (gentle movements) approaches to improve health and well-being. In gastroenterology, meditative movement practices, such as yoga and tai chi, are commonly used alongside medical treatments for managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). These practices are one class of complementary and integrative medicine inter…