Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder which affects 15% or more of the population at some time during their life (Drossman et al., 1997). It is characterised by bowel dysfunction associated with abdominal pain and bloating in the absence of any clinical or structural abnormality (Agrawal & Whorwell 2006). 

IBS interferes with everyday life leading to time off work and demands on the healthcare system. It is estimated that 12% of general practitioner visits and 28% of visits to specialist gastroenterologists are a consequence of IBS . Evidence of the effect of most drug therapies in IBS is weak (Quartero et al., 2005).