[Functional colonic diseases: from physiopathology to pharmacology].
BACKGROUND
Irritable bowel syndrome is a very frequent cause for consulting. The clinical entity is ill-defined and diagnosis is based on clinical features (Rome criteria), as no specific feature helps guide the diagnosis. Since its pathophysiology is currently being better described, this study was aimed at reviewing recent data.


BACKGROUND
After involvement of the motor system had been suggested, more recent pathophysiological studies have focused on diffuse abnormalities of visceral perception with decrease in pain thresholds. Involvement of other physiopathological factors, particularly of psychological disturbances, has been suggested.


CONCLUSIONS
Management of patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome is still disappointing as pharmacological agent acting on gut motility are only partly efficacious. Better understanding of its physiopathology will open new avenues for the development of therapeutical agents truly efficacious on visceral hypersensitivity.
Bardou
M
M
Service d'hépatogastroentérologie, hôpital Antoine-Béclère, Clamart, France.
D000818:Animals; D001593:Benzyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D017829:Granisetron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000503:physiopathology; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa / Q000819:agonists; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012756:Sheep
D001593:Benzyl Compounds; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D017829:Granisetron; D015282:Octreotide; D011437:Propylamines; D017473:Receptors, Opioid, kappa; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C067749:fedotozine