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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Jul 20.
Published in final edited form as: Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Feb 23;105(4):859–865. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2010.55

Table 1.

Rome II recruitment criteria for non-constipation-predominant IBS

At least 12 weeks, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding 12 months of abdominal discomfort or pain that has two of three features

  1. Relieved with defecation; and/or

  2. onset associated with a change in frequency of stool; and/or

  3. onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool.

Diarrhea-predominant IBS patients were recruited if at least one of the following three criteria was present

  1. More than three bowel movements per day.

  2. Loose (mushy) or watery stools.

  3. Urgency (having to rush to have a bowel movement).

Patients were excluded if having any of the following three criteria for constipation-predominant IBS

  1. Fewer than three bowel movements a week.

  2. Hard or lumpy stools.

  3. Straining during a bowel movement.

IBS, irritable bowel syndrome.