Diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in adults in primary care: summary of NICE guidance

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic, relapsing, and often lifelong condition of unknown aetiology,1 often associated with non-colonic symptoms. In clinical practice IBS is often diagnosed by the exclusion of more serious illnesses by unnecessary investigations and inappropriate referral. This article summarises the most recent guidance on IBS from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE); the guidelines cover the...