Abdominal Symptom Phenotype Study in Children

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (FGIDs), in particular irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults and children, are among the most common and costly health care problems in the US. IBS disproportionately affects adult women (10-15% in western nations) and adolescent girls. Yet, health care providers remain challenged to provide effective clinical management. The etiology of IBS is not well defined and likely multi-factorial. A Need to Define Subgroups of IBS: This study emerges from the claim that identification of patient subgroups will advance our understanding of IBS and ultimately help develop treatment approaches. Most studies have lumped together patients with IBS into 2 groups (constipation-, diarrhea-predominant) and tested whether they differ from healthy controls. We propose that a paradigm shift is in order. We should recognize that IBS likely has multiple causes and therefore, multiple expressions. We speculate that by understanding better defined patient subgroups and linking them to newer biomarkers or tests, ultimately will further the understanding of the origins and create effective treatments.