Table 1

The Rome IV criteria for IBS2

Rome IV IBS diagnostic criteria

  1. Recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least 1 day per week in the last 3 months and associated with two or more or the following:

    1. Related to defaecation;

    2. Associated with a change in frequency of stool;

    3. Associated with a change in stool form.

AND
2. Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis
IBS-C IBS-D IBS-M IBS-U
≥25% of bowel movements of Bristol stool form types 1 or 2, and <25% of Bristol stool form types 6 or 7.≥25% of bowel movements of Bristol stool form types 6 or 7, and <25% of Bristol stool form types 1 or 2.≥25% of bowel movements of Bristol stool form types 1 or 2, and ≥25% of bowel movements of Bristol stool form types 6 or 7.Patients who meet criteria for IBS, but who do not fall into one of the other three subgroups according to Bristol stool form type.

  • IBS-C, IBS with constipation; IBS-D, IBS with diarrhoea; IBS-M, IBS with mixed bowel habits; IBS-U, IBS unclassified.