Review article: biomarkers and personalised therapy in functional lower gastrointestinal disorders.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Treatment of IBS and functional lower gastrointestinal disorders is still based predominantly on symptoms; biomarkers that reflect the mechanism or pathophysiology have been identified. Given the diverse mechanisms that result in the same clinical phenotype of IBS, it is hypothesised that identification of biomarkers may lead to individualisation of medical therapy.

Aim

To review the biomarkers that have been appraised in IBS.

Methods

A single author reviewed the published literature on biomarkers appraised in IBS.

Results

The current literature suggests that these biomarkers are insufficiently sensitive or specific to differentiate IBS from health or from other diseases causing similar symptoms, such as coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

SUBMITTER: Camilleri M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4558225 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature