Authors: Tillisch K, Mayer EA.

Institution: Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women's Health, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. ktillisch@mednet.ucla.edu

Summary: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal discomfort or pain in the absence of detectable organic disease. IBS is common and is associated with a significant impairment in health-related quality of life.

Enhanced perception of visceral stimuli ("visceral hypersensitivity") appears to be an important pathophysiological mechanism. Early IBS studies using functional brain imaging techniques suggest an alteration in central pain modulation circuits, rather than an increased sensitivity of peripheral visceral pain pathways. The frequent comorbidity with psychiatric disorders suggests the possibility of shared pathophysiological mechanisms and etiologic factors.

Study link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16273016&query_hl=14&itool=pubmed_docsum

• Sensitivity and Distensibility of the Rectum and Sigmoid Colon in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome as a Common Precipitant of Central Sensitization
• Pain Perception in Irritable Bowel Syndrome