IBS is a chronic functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Treatment options are limited for IBS with diarrhea (D) and mixed (M) subtypes, and there are no current therapies approved for the management of IBS-M.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?
What causes IBS?
IBS occurs for excitation and sensitization of primary afferent nerves and enteric neurons innervating the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in increased perception of noxious stimuli and altered autonomic and secretomotor reflexes. This can manifest as abdominal pain and altered bowel habits.
IBS often runs a relapsing and remitting course, with substantial impact on quality of life and social functioning. IBS affects approximately 6.1% of the US population.
