Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the prototype condition of the broad spectrum of functional bowel disorders (now referred to as disorders of the gut-brain interaction, DGBI). Despite significant progress, IBS pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment remain debatable. For instance, the role of various pathogenetic triggers is still unclear. The diagnosis of IBS continues to be controversial, with overlapping disorders, such as celiac disease (CD), non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), wheat allergy, microscopic colitis, early inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) that can make the diagnosis very challenging; finally, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options thus far available fall short of satisfying most patients, regardless the IBS subtypes. Furthermore, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the IBS population since the virus can directly or indirectly affect intestinal physiology differently, exacerbating pre-existing IBS symptoms or developing post-infectious IBS.
The current research topic aims to collect articles addressing hot issues in IBS mentioned above, thus providing a balanced update for practicing physicians. We also hope this research topic will trigger investigational studies paving the way to more effective therapies for this burdensome disorder.
In conjunction with a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying IBS, patient-relevant symptoms should drive the development of novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents for this complex disorder. Novel therapies are expected to streamline the management of IBS, thus increasing patient satisfaction and reducing healthcare resources' use.
IBS is a multifaceted disorder with multidimensional pathogeneses. Therefore, the treating physicians should adopt individualized treatment with multi-disciplinary approaches using different classes of drugs, psychiatric measures, probiotics, antibiotics, and dietary therapy.
We invite contributors to provide research papers, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, narrative reviews, and original clinical and translational studies on adult and pediatric patients.
Broad themes of interest will include:
1. New paradigms in the pathophysiology of IBS.
2. The brain-gut axis in IBS.
3. The IBS-CD and IBS-NCGS connection.
4. The IBS-IBD connection.
5. Existing and emerging pharmacologic therapies for IBS.
6. The role of non-pharmacologic therapies in IBS.
7. The multidimensional/multidisciplinary treatment strategies of IBS.
8. The COVID-19 pandemic and IBS relation.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the prototype condition of the broad spectrum of functional bowel disorders (now referred to as disorders of the gut-brain interaction, DGBI). Despite significant progress, IBS pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment remain debatable. For instance, the role of various pathogenetic triggers is still unclear. The diagnosis of IBS continues to be controversial, with overlapping disorders, such as celiac disease (CD), non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), wheat allergy, microscopic colitis, early inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) that can make the diagnosis very challenging; finally, both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options thus far available fall short of satisfying most patients, regardless the IBS subtypes. Furthermore, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the IBS population since the virus can directly or indirectly affect intestinal physiology differently, exacerbating pre-existing IBS symptoms or developing post-infectious IBS.
The current research topic aims to collect articles addressing hot issues in IBS mentioned above, thus providing a balanced update for practicing physicians. We also hope this research topic will trigger investigational studies paving the way to more effective therapies for this burdensome disorder.
In conjunction with a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying IBS, patient-relevant symptoms should drive the development of novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological agents for this complex disorder. Novel therapies are expected to streamline the management of IBS, thus increasing patient satisfaction and reducing healthcare resources' use.
IBS is a multifaceted disorder with multidimensional pathogeneses. Therefore, the treating physicians should adopt individualized treatment with multi-disciplinary approaches using different classes of drugs, psychiatric measures, probiotics, antibiotics, and dietary therapy.
We invite contributors to provide research papers, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, narrative reviews, and original clinical and translational studies on adult and pediatric patients.
Broad themes of interest will include:
1. New paradigms in the pathophysiology of IBS.
2. The brain-gut axis in IBS.
3. The IBS-CD and IBS-NCGS connection.
4. The IBS-IBD connection.
5. Existing and emerging pharmacologic therapies for IBS.
6. The role of non-pharmacologic therapies in IBS.
7. The multidimensional/multidisciplinary treatment strategies of IBS.
8. The COVID-19 pandemic and IBS relation.