title: The irritable bowel syndrome.
abstract: The clinical characteristics and putative pathogenetic mechanisms of the irritable bowel syndrome are described. The complex inter-relationships between stressful life situations, psychoneurotic and somatic factors involved in the production, maintenance and management of alimentary symptoms are discussed using a behavioural model and catastrophe theory.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000209:etiology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012803:Sick Role