First-line treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel condition managed primarily through lifestyle, dietary, and pharmacological first-line measures. The clinical goal is reduction of global IBS symptoms and abdominal pain.
Clinical target
Improvement in global IBS symptoms and abdominal pain.
Global IBS symptoms & abdominal pain
First-line approach
The structured first-line approach begins with lifestyle measures and dietary guidance. Beyond these foundations, several evidence-based options are sequenced according to patient choice — with specific considerations around fibre type, timing, and which agents to avoid. The full protocol details which options to trial first, in what order, and when to reassess.
References
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2021-324598
- All patients with IBS should be advised to take regular exercise (recommendation: strong, quality of evidence: weak).
- First-line dietary advice should be offered to all patients with IBS (recommendation: strong, quality of evidence: weak).
- Soluble fibre, such as ispaghula, is an effective treatment for global symptoms and abdominal pain in IBS, but insoluble fibre (eg, wheat bran) should be avoided as it may exacerbate symptoms. Soluble fibre should be commenced at a low dose (3–4 g/day) and built up gradually to avoid bloating (recommendation: strong; quality of evidence: moderate).
- Probiotics, as a group, may be an effective treatment for global symptoms and abdominal pain in IBS, but it is not possible to recommend a specific species or strain. It is reasonable to advise patients wishing to try probiotics to take them for up to 12 weeks, and to discontinue them if there is no improvement in symptoms (recommendation: weak, quality of evidence: very low).
- Certain antispasmodics may be an effective treatment for global symptoms and abdominal pain in IBS. Dry mouth, visual disturbance and dizziness are common side effects (recommendation: weak, quality of evidence: very low).
- Peppermint oil may be an effective treatment for global symptoms and abdominal pain in IBS. Gastro-oesophageal reflux is a common side effect (recommendation: weak, quality of evidence: very low).
- Otherwise, treatment should commence with dietary therapies or first-line drugs, according to patient choice, with second-line drugs reserved for those whose symptoms do not improve with these measures, due to a combination of the potential side effects, as well as the costs, of some of these agents to the health service.
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