Comparison of the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome in a latin american population. Descriptive study from a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background and aims. The appropriate diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is critical due to its association with impaired quality of life and high health care costs. We aim to explore the proportion of subjects with irritable bowel syndrome by the Rome IV criteria at a tertiary care center and compare them with previous diagnostic criteria. Material and methods. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study in a tertiary care center located in Buenos Aires. There were included to the consecutive adult patients who consulted for abdominal disorders and in whom an organic pathology had been excluded. Subjects completed a gastrointestinal symptom questionnaire and the proportion of patients with IBS, according to Roma IV criteria, was compare with the proportion of those who met the previous criteria (Manning, Rome I, II and III). Results. Of 178 patients included, 58% met the diagnosis criteria for IBS using the Rome IV criteria. Of these, 98% were also Rome III positive, 76.7% IBS Rome II positive, 93% IBS Rome I positive and 99% IBS Manning positive. The agreement was very good with Rome III (kappa = 0.87), good with Rome I (kappa = 0.76) and good, but lower with Rome II (kappa = 0.73) and Manning (kappa = 0.66). Conclu-sions. Good diagnostic agreement was established between Rome IV and the previous IBS criteria, except with Rome II and Manning, which were lower.