Overview
Introduction
IBS presents with recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, yet routine investigations often show no structural lesion.
IBS presents with recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, yet routine investigations often show no structural lesion. The diagnostic skill is therefore twofold: recognize a characteristic symptom pattern and actively look for findings that point away from IBS. Rome IV, the criteria named in the topic title and commonly tested in NP education. Rome V was published in 2026 and revised the pain wording, symptom-frequency threshold, duration approach, and exclusions for continuous pain and menstruation-only symptoms. Do not blend the two versions in an examination stem or clinical protocol; identify which version is being used. Canadian investigation thresholds and treatment availability also differ from some US algorithms.