Table 1.

Rome III diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome4

Recurrent abdominal pain or discomforta at least 3 days per month in the last 3 monthsb associated with two or more of the following:

1. Improvement with defecation

2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool

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

Notes:

^aDiscomfort is an uncomfortable sensation not described as pain.

^bCriteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset of at least 6 months prior to diagnosis. Reprinted from Gastroenterology, 130(5), Longstreth GF, Thompson WG, Chey WD, Houghton LA, Mearin F, Spiller RC, Functional bowel disorders, 1480–1491, Copyright (2006), with permission from Elsevier.