The Dilemma of Persistent Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms in Patients with Quiescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease differ in their natural evolution, etiopathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic approach. However, recent evidence has suggested some similarities in mechanisms underlying symptom development and progression. There is a relevant role for alterations in the microbiome-brain-gut axis in both diseases. The presence of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease is common in clinical practice. To determine the cause of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease is a clinical challenge. This review aims to illustrate possible causes and solutions for these patients.

Keywords: Brain–gut axis; Crohn’s disease; Fecal calprotectin; Inflammatory bowel disease; Irritable bowel syndrome; Microbiome; Ulcerative colitis.