Loading...

Media is loading
 

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Alexia Arhontakis

Abstract

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) poses diagnostic challenges as it is a diagnosis of exclusion and shares aspects of its clinical presentation with other gastrointestinal disorders. This CME article aims to equip clinicians with practical strategies for navigating the diagnostic complexities of IBS effectively. Clinical definitions for IBS and its subcategories are provided with an emphasis on Rome IV criteria and creating a detailed differential diagnosis to guide the history and physical examination of the patient. Recommendations for laboratory studies, including fecal calprotectin and CBC in patients with chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea, are laid out for effective and efficient diagnostics. The article concludes with guidance regarding patient education.

Share

COinS
 

Streamlined Approaches for Efficient IBS Diagnosis

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) poses diagnostic challenges as it is a diagnosis of exclusion and shares aspects of its clinical presentation with other gastrointestinal disorders. This CME article aims to equip clinicians with practical strategies for navigating the diagnostic complexities of IBS effectively. Clinical definitions for IBS and its subcategories are provided with an emphasis on Rome IV criteria and creating a detailed differential diagnosis to guide the history and physical examination of the patient. Recommendations for laboratory studies, including fecal calprotectin and CBC in patients with chronic abdominal pain and diarrhea, are laid out for effective and efficient diagnostics. The article concludes with guidance regarding patient education.