Abstract
This paper reviews the tools available to assess outcomes of treatment in irritable bowel syndrome, especially the effect on abdominal pain. Tools were identified through a wide-ranging scrutiny of PubMed and Google Scholar, together with a review of further references quoted in those publications. It critically considers their development, relevance and reliability. The Irritable Bowel Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) was the first simple method of monitoring the progress of the disease and its treatment. It led on to other instruments, such as The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QOL). It is easier to read and faster to complete than the IBS-SSS., However, these and other tools were developed for English speaking populations. This review considers the impact of ethnicity and gender, together with the lack of information on the effect of age on the potential validity of these tools in other populations. Issues with the adequacy and appropriateness of translations of such tools are discussed. The overall conclusion is that there are few tools which meet the criteria necessary to place confidence in their validity as appropriate measures of patient outcomes.
Highlights
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects a significant number of people
A central problem has become how best to measure such pain in a reliable, reproducible and robust format. This is a critical aspect in designing and evaluating trials of treatment in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), where the desired outcome is a reduction in patients’
Its questions reflect the anxieties experienced by many patients with IBS and show that chronic and recurrent abdominal pain can have a devastating effect on patients with IBS sufferers
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects a significant number of people It is characterized by abdominal pain, bloating and an irregular bowel habit, varying from constipation to diarrhea. Related to defecation; Associated with a change in frequency of stool; Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.” These symptoms need to be present for at least three months with an initial onset at least six months earlier [5]. A central problem has become how best to measure such pain in a reliable, reproducible and robust format This is a critical aspect in designing and evaluating trials of treatment in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), where the desired outcome is a reduction in patients’. Clinicians can under-estimate pain and its consequences Such discrepancies between general practitioners and patients with IBS were reported by Chassany et al [8]. Reliable and robust tools should include within them all of these aspects and, ideally, should be developed with real patient input
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
