title: [Diagnostic strategy in patients suspected of irritable bowel syndrome].
abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome, a very common condition with a high use of health-care costs especially related to diagnostic testing, is traditionally approached by a diagnostic strategy of exclusion. However, data from clinical studies support a positive diagnostic strategy based on symptom-based criteria, absence of alarm signals and, if needed, a few simple blood tests in young patients presenting in primary care. For older patients, and for patients not fulfilling symptom-based criteria or presenting with alarm signals, more thorough investigations are needed, directed by the symptomatology.
authors.affiliation: Klinisk Mikrobiologisk Afdeling, Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegård Alle 30, 2650 Hvidovre. anne.line.oestergaard.engsbro@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Anne Line Østergaard
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Engsbro
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bytzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography