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Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Irritable bowel syndrome
Alexander C Ford1, Ami D Sperber2, Maura Corsetti3
1Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Leeds Gastroenterology Institute, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Understanding its gut-brain axis pathophysiology aids in developing targeted treatments for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neurogastroenterology
- Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 5-10% of healthy individuals, presenting with abdominal pain and changes in stool form/frequency.
- Risk factors include enteric infection, psychological comorbidity, and higher prevalence in young women.
- Pathophysiology involves gut-brain axis dysfunction, leading to motility issues, visceral hypersensitivity, and altered central nervous system processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathophysiology.
- To outline diagnostic approaches and management strategies for IBS.
- To highlight the evolving landscape of novel therapeutic developments for IBS.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on IBS pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Analysis of risk factors and epidemiological data.
- Examination of current and emerging therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- IBS diagnosis relies on clinical history, with judicious investigations for alarm symptoms.
- Management focuses on patient education, dietary modifications, fiber, and antispasmodics.
- Advanced treatments target severe symptoms via neuromodulators, receptor-specific drugs, and psychological therapies.
Conclusions:
- Effective IBS management requires an empathetic approach, improving quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.
- The gut-brain axis is central to IBS pathophysiology, with ongoing research yielding new drug candidates.
- A growing pipeline of novel IBS therapies is anticipated based on recent pathophysiological insights.
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