Year 2013 / Volume 105 / Number 7
Editorial
Polymorphisms: Genetic variations associated with irritable bowel syndrome

375-377

Ana M. González-Castro y María Vicario

Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is currently the primary digestive reason why people seek medical help in western countries, with an estimated prevalence of 10-20 % among the adult population (1). IBS is characterized by abdominal pain or dis- comfort that subsides with defecation, in association with a change in stool number and/or consistency (2). Presently, IBS has no sensitive biologic markers, hence its diagnosis is still based upon clinical criteria and the exclusion of organic disease. This conditions a suboptimal therapeutic management and significantly impairs patient quality of life, which entails an increase in both direct and indirect costs for society that nearly reach 5 % of the national health care expenditure in many a western cou- ntry (3). Despite a high prevalence, the pathophysiology of IBS and its development are not well established. Therefore, the study of the underlying etiopathogenic mecha- nisms and the development of both diagnostic and therapeutic specific tools are key to improve quality of life and reduce health care expenditure.
Share Button
New comment
Comments
No comments for this article
Related articles
Citation tools
Ana M. González-Castro y María Vicario. Polymorphisms: Genetic variations associated with irritable bowel syndrome. 375-377


Download to a citation manager

Download the citation for this article by clicking on one of the following citation managers:

Metrics
This article has received 7 visits.
This article has been downloaded 7 times.
Share
This article has been rated by 1 readers.
Reader rating:
Valora este artículo:




Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva
The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology is the official organ of the Sociedad Española de Patología Digestiva, the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva and the Asociación Española de Ecografía Digestiva
Cookie policy Privacy Policy Legal Notice © Copyright 2023 y Creative Commons. The Spanish Journal of Gastroenterology