[Diagnostic value of limited research in patients with irritable bowel syndrome]

It is a common practice in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, to perform multiple diagnostic tests to rule out organic diseases. However, its usefulness has not yet been evaluated in Mexico.

a) To know frequency of an abnormal test; b) to know prevalence of organic diseases, and c) to identify subgroups with high risk of organic disease among IBS patients.

IBS patients (Rome II) were evaluated by using limited investigation that include: a) complete blood cell count, erytrocyte sedimentation rate, fecal examination for ova and parasites, fecal occult blood test, and serum thyroidstimulating hormone in all patients; b) colonic visualization with colonoscopy, barium enema, and/or flexible sigmoidoscopy in all patients > or = 45 years, and c) left colon and rectum biopsies with diarrhea patients of all ages. Organic disease was diagnosed by compatible signs and symptoms, abnormal test, confirmatory test, and other specialists opinion.

Three hundred ten with IBS patients were included (77% women, mean age 41.6 years). One hundred ninety nine had patients at least one abnormal test (64%) and organic disease was diagnosed in 88 subjects (28%). Diarrhea and mixed-habit patients more had organic disease than constipated patients (OR 3.55). No cases of neoplasia were detected.

Among IBS patients in whom limited investigation was performed, 64% of patients had one abnormal test and 28% had an organic disease. Diarrhea and mixed-habit patients have more risk of organic disease than constipated patients.