Managing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

摘要

INTRODUCTION In many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea are out of proportion with the demonstrated degree of inflammation; some symptomatic patients may have complete mucosal healing. Such patients often may undergo invasive, costly and potentially dangerous tests in search of residual inflammation. What are the diagnostic considerations in such patients? How should they be managed?