title: [Irritable bowel syndrome].
abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disease with highly variable symptoms and difficult to diagnose. The clinical picture is fundamental to reach a correct diagnosis and discard other gastrointestinal diseases. It etiology is not well known; psychological problems and stress probably play an important role in the development of the disease. Irritable bowel syndrome impairs the quality of life of patients and is a frequent cause of consultation in primary care. Its therapy is basically symptomatic and requires psychological support. The physician must warn his/her patients that immediate results are rarely obtained and that a prolonged clinical follow up may be necessary.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klinger
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klinger
mesh_terms: D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life