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Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months, with symptom onset at least 6 months before diagnosis
Pain improves with defecation
Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool
ResultCriteria not met

Symptom pattern does not fulfil all required Rome diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (Rome III); consider alternative diagnoses or further evaluation.

Supportive features present
0 of 3

When to use

  • Applying the 2006 Rome consensus definition of IBS; largely of historical or comparative interest since Rome IV is now the preferred current criteria set.

Formula

Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days/month in the last 3 months (symptom onset >=6 months before diagnosis) plus 2 or more of: improvement with defecation; onset associated with a change in stool frequency; onset associated with a change in stool form.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • Rome IV removed "discomfort" and requires pain at least 1 day/week rather than 3 days/month.

References

  1. Longstreth GF, Thompson WG, Chey WD, Houghton LA, Irvine EJ, Spiller RC. Functional bowel disorders. Gastroenterology. 2006;130(5):1480-1491.