Nursing Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 2008

Inclusion Criteria:

- Men and women must be: 18-70 years old, have had symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(IBS) at least 6 mo prior to their diagnosis, and have had their diagnosis for at
least 6 months, and the diagnosis had to be made by a health care provider (e.g.,
internist, gastroenterologist, family, nurse practitioner, physician assistant).

- In addition, the subjects must be experiencing IBS symptoms as described in the
Rome-III criteria.161 That is recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days
a mo in the last 3 mo associated with 2 or more of the following: improvement with
defecation, onset associated with a change in frequency or form (appearance) of their
stool.

- Adults 50 or older must have a negative colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, abdominal
ultrasonography, or barium enema.

- Anyone with a "red flag" symptom (e.g., lost 10 lbs without trying, blood in stool,
anemia) will be contacted for additional clarification.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Participants will be excluded if they are taking the following medications:
antibiotics, daily use of anticholinergics, tricyclic antidepressants,
calcium-channel blockers

- Have a medical history of abdominal surgery (except appendectomy, Caesarian section,
tubal ligation, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hysterectomy, or abdominal wall hernia
repair)

- Active organic GI disease, gluten intolerance (celiac disease), or chronic moderate
to severe pain condition (e.g., low back pain, fibromyalgia)

- Recent travel to regions with endemic parasitic diseases

- Current mental health disorders (psychosis, bipolar disorder, current moderate to
severe depressive episode, suicide attempt, drug or alcohol abuse or dependence
within 2yrs)

- Cardiac valvular disease, immune compromised immunologic disorders (e.g., autoimmune
conditions)

- Women who are pregnant, breast feeding, or planning to get pregnant in the next year