IBS Newsfeed

Gastroenterology. 2026 Feb 26:S0016-5085(26)00103-4. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2026.01.032. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Defecation urgency is a common and highly distressing symptom in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but its definition remains insufficiently clear. We aimed to compare different measures of urgency, real-life and rectal sensation thresholds, their clinical and neural correlates. METHODS: A total of 150 patients with moderate-severe IBS were enrolled in this cross-sectional study conducted at a specialized gastroenterology clinic. Defecation urgency was evaluated using gastrointestinal symptom diaries, questionnaires, and …

Neuromodulation. 2026 Feb 27:S1094-7159(26)00010-3. doi: 10.1016/j.neurom.2026.01.005. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Chronic constipation is a prevalent and heterogeneous disorder, affecting approximately 10% to 14% of adults and significantly influencing quality of life. Neuromodulation has been explored as a potential treatment; however, evidence remains limited. Therefore, this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims to assess the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve-based neuromodulation techniques for chronic constipation, specifically transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and transcutaneous electroacupuncture (TEA).…

Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2026 Feb 26;81:100884. doi: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2026.100884. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and its related sociodemographic, nociceptive, neuropathic, nociplastic, psychosocial, and systemic factors in patients with Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational, prospective, and analytical study was conducted at a Pelvic Pain Outpatient Clinic between August 2021 and March 2022 with patients diagnosed with CPP. The following instruments were applied: IBS was diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria, the Questionnaire for Chronic Pelvic Pain Assessment (QCPPA) of th…

Nutrients. 2026 Feb 22;18(4):699. doi: 10.3390/nu18040699. ABSTRACT Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits that significantly impair patients' quality of life. Dietary triggers of IBS symptoms are common, and consequently, diet-based treatments are often prescribed. We conducted a review of current evidence on dietary interventions for IBS, focusing specifically on the evaluation of the scientific rationale and effectiveness of the most commonly adopted diets. Clinical trials and guideline recommendations were analyzed to assess each diet's efficacy in symptom relief and patie…

Pharmaceutics. 2026 Feb 3;18(2):197. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics18020197. ABSTRACT Background/Objectives: The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as a key determinant of human health, playing a vital role in metabolism, immunity, and disease susceptibility. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, is associated with gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), as well as extraintestinal conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and neuropsychiatric disorders. This review aims to provide an updated overview of emerging therapeutic strategies to modulate the gut…

Front Immunol. 2026 Feb 11;17:1730624. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1730624. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort accompanied by altered bowel habits, often alongside psychological symptoms. Increasing evidence suggests that exercise interventions not only alleviate clinical symptoms but may also exert effects through modulation of the gut-immune axis. This study aims to systematically compare the effects of different exercise modalities on symptoms, quality of life, and psychological status in IBS patients, whilst exploring potential immunological…

Ardelyx and the LPGA Announce Multi-Year Partnership to Break Stigma Around Digestive Health Issues Impacting Millions | News | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association LPGA First-of-its-kind partnership designed to educate and mobilize patients to imagine a healthier tomorrow DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. and WALTHAM, Mass., (Feb. 24, 2026) – The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Ardelyx, a biopharmaceutical company with a vision of creating a healthier tomorrow for patients, today announced a multi-year partnership naming Ardelyx as an official corporate pharmaceutical Marketing Partner of the LPGA Tour. The exclusive partnership unites two organizations dedic…

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2026 Feb 25;51(2):233-239. doi: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20241084. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on force-sensitive acupoints with different sensitization degrees in treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). METHODS: A total of 108 patients with IBS-D were randomly divided into a high-sensitivity group (36 cases, 2 cases dropped out), a low-sensitivity group (36 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a waiting group (36 cases, 2 cases dropped out). In the high-sensitivity group, 5 high-sensitivity (the lowest pain threshold) acupoints were selected in acupuncture treatment, and in the low-sensitivity g…

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026 Feb 23. doi: 10.1002/jpn3.70386. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: Pediatric patients with in-remission inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often report persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, suggesting a potential overlap with disorders of gut-brain-interaction (DGBIs). While DGBIs affect up to 40% of the general population, their prevalence in quiescent IBD children remains limited. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of DGBIs, based on Rome-IV criteria, in children with quiescent IBD compared to healthy controls, identifying demographic, clinical and therapeutic factors associated with DGBIs. METHODS: In this mu…

Dig Dis Sci. 2026 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s10620-026-09711-1. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis (EMT) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) disproportionately affect middle-aged and older women, where overlapping symptoms (e.g., chronic pelvic pain, bloating) and shared inflammatory mechanisms may drive comorbidity. However, large-scale evidence linking EMT to IBS incidence in this population remains scarce. Leveraging the UK Biobank cohort (N = 225,703), we investigate their longitudinal association to address this critical gap in women's health research. METHOD: We sourced data on pre-existing endometriosis (EMT) status and incident IBS diagnoses from …

United European Gastroenterol J. 2026 Feb;14(1):e70186. doi: 10.1002/ueg2.70186. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Bloating refers to the sensation of tension in the abdomen, reported in the presence or absence of visible abdominal distension. These and other gas-related symptoms are often reported by patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the prevalence of bloating and visible abdominal distension as separate symptoms in these disorders is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between bloating, distension, and intestinal gas-related symptoms with IBS and FD, and their overall impact. METHODS: Data from a popula…

J Clin Med. 2026 Feb 2;15(3):1152. doi: 10.3390/jcm15031152. ABSTRACT Background: Many probiotic strains have been studied in relation to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to identify probiotic strains demonstrating efficacy in the management of IBS based on meta-analyses of randomized placebo-controlled trials (RPCTs). Methods: This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD420251047092). Searches were conducted in PubMed and Scopus on 8 April 2025. Additional completed studies with available results were identified through ClinicalTrials.gov. An additional search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL),…

Nutrients. 2026 Feb 2;18(3):490. doi: 10.3390/nu18030490. ABSTRACT Background: Untargeted microbiome modulation has achieved conflicting results in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). Methods: In a case-control study of PI-IBS patients, cases received targeted microbial modulation informed by microbiome profiling, while controls were managed by standard therapy. Treatment response was defined as a decrease in IBS-symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) ≥50 points. Results: All thirteen cases (100%) and 11/20 controls (55%) experienced treatment response (p < 0.0001). The mean IBS-SSS score after treatments was 163 in cases and 231 in controls (p = 0.01). Conclu…

Front Nutr. 2026 Jan 28;13:1725524. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1725524. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The low FODMAP diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, LFD) t is used in patients diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as part of non-pharmacological treatment. This approach is also used in patients with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), but research in this area is insufficient. To fill this gap, we decided to investigate the effect of a low FODMAP diet on various parameters in patients with IBS or SIBO or IMO. The primary end point of the study was to assess the e…

Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2026 Feb;38(2):e70254. doi: 10.1111/nmo.70254. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease with near-universal symptoms of gastrointestinal dysmotility. The contribution of disruption of the gut-brain axis to SSc gastrointestinal symptoms is unknown. We aimed to quantify the frequency of SSc patients meeting diagnostic criteria for DGBI-like symptoms. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey study, the frequency of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), functional dysphagia and post prandial distress syndrome (PPDS) was assessed using the Rome-IV-Questionnaire. Participants completed a Short Form-3…

Front Gastroenterol (Lausanne). 2025;4:1637172. doi: 10.3389/fgstr.2025.1637172. Epub 2025 Oct 6. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, are chronic gastrointestinal syndromes characterized by visceral hypersensitivity and altered brain-gut signaling in the absence of known structural pathology. A significant proportion of individuals with DGBI have comorbid psychiatric conditions, especially anxiety and depression, highlighting the biopsychosocial underpinnings of these disorders. METHODS: This narrative review synthesizes the neurophysiological, psychological, pharmacological, and ps…

Sage Open Pathol. 2026 Feb 5;19:30502098251415109. doi: 10.1177/30502098251415109. eCollection 2026 Jan-Dec. ABSTRACT The gut microbiome is vital in maintaining overall health, yet its complexity and dynamic interactions are still not fully understood. This diverse microbial community comprises bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea, contributing to metabolism, immune regulation, and disease susceptibility. However, imbalances in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis), have been linked to various diseases, underscoring the importance of understanding microbial interactions within the gut ecosystem. This review explores these interactions, focusing on biochemical and molecular mech…

Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Jan 23;13:1686654. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1686654. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Linaclotide, a promising medication for treating irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation, has the potential to enhance bowel preparation for colonoscopy. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of linaclotide combined with low-volume polyethylene glycol (PEG) in constipated patients. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind controlled trial, 210 constipated patients were assigned to one of three groups: (1) 3 L PEG (standard regimen), (2) 2-day linaclotide + 2 L PEG (2D + 2 L PEG), or (3) 4-day linaclotide + 2 L PEG (4D + 2…

Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2026 Feb 9. doi: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000001157. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Traditional 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 FINDINGS: Diagnostic paradigms have shifted …

There is a lack of evidence for high-fiber diets to manage constipation. Here’s what works Gut Microbiota for Health Chronic constipation, defined as fewer than three bowel movements a week, hard stool or difficulty passing stool in the absence of an underlying pathology, is a long-term condition that impacts quality of life and places an economic burden on both patients and healthcare systems. Chronic constipation is due to a wide range of causes, with emerging studies suggesting gut transit may impact the gut microbiota, which opens new ways of managing constipation. For years, dietary advice for constipation has been vague, with people told to increase fiber intake a…

Digestion. 2026 Feb 5:1-15. doi: 10.1159/000550907. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence highlights the gut microbiota as a key contributor to the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acting through complex interactions with intestinal motility, immune function, epithelial barrier integrity, and the gut-brain axis. This narrative review summarizes current knowledge regarding the roles of the gut microbiota and their metabolites in IBS. SUMMARY: We discuss alterations in the gut microbiota in IBS, with particular emphasis on changes in short-chain fatty acid production, bile acid metabolism, serotonin signaling, and gas handling. Spec…

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00394.2025. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Visceral hypersensitivity is a pivotal mechanism in pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is expressed by visceral afferents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rimegepant, a CGRP antagonist, on abdominal pain, rectal compliance and sensation, gut transit, and safety in participants with non-constipation IBS with pain. We conducted a pilot, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, parallel-group design trial (NCT06221111) of oral rimegepant 75 mg every other day (as approved for mig…

Internet Interv. 2026 Jan 17;43:100905. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2026.100905. eCollection 2026 Mar. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition prevalent in university students. It significantly affects quality of life (QOL) and requires effective interventions to appropriately manage its symptoms in this population. OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program using a mobile application to alleviate symptoms and enhance the QOL of university students with IBS. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study included 58 participants from two universities in South Korea, who were divide…

Gastroenterology. 2026 Jan 30:S0016-5085(26)00033-8. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2026.01.010. Online ahead of print. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of gut-brain interaction that substantially impairs quality of life.1,2 Although early life and childhood are believed to play an important role in IBS pathogenesis,3 few prospective, population-based studies have identified childhood factors that influence adult IBS risk.4 Even fewer have assessed predictors of IBS persistence from childhood into adulthood,4 with a lack of studies applying the Rome criteria at both time points. Identifying early-life determinants of IBS onset and persistence is essential for de…

BMC Gastroenterol. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1186/s12876-026-04654-3. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common brain-gut interaction disorders, characterized by chronic abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and heightened stress responses that significantly affect patients' psychological functioning and quality of life. Given that chronic stress plays a central role in the onset and maintenance of IBS symptoms, identifying psychological resources that promote adaptation and well-being is crucial. The present study aimed to examine the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between cognitive flexibility and p…