biostudies-literatureUnknown20(27)Lazaraki GIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent functional disorder that reduces patients' quality of life. It is a chronic disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with disordered defecation in the absence of identifiable structural or biochemical abnormalities. IBS imposes a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Alteration in neurohumoral mechanisms and psychological factors, bacterial overgrowth, genetic factors, gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and immune system factors are currently believed to influence the pathogenesis of IBS. It is possible that there is an interaction of one or more of these etiologic factors leading to heterogeneous symptoms of IBS. IBS treatment is predicated upon the patient's most bothersome symptoms. DespiWorld journal of gastroenterology8867-85https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4112893biostudies-literatureRecent advances in pharmacological treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.PMC4112893Chatzimavroudis GKatsinelos PLazaraki GfalseRecent advances in pharmacological treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent functional disorder that reduces patients' quality of life. It is a chronic disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with disordered defecation in the absence of identifiable structural or biochemical abnormalities. IBS imposes a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Alteration in neurohumoral mechanisms and psychological factors, bacterial overgrowth, genetic factors, gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and immune system factors are currently believed to influence the pathogenesis of IBS. It is possible that there is an interaction of one or more of these etiologic factors leading to heterogeneous symptoms of IBS. IBS treatment is predicated upon the patient's most bothersome symptoms. Despi2014-01-01T00:00:00Z2014 Jul2025-04-26T06:23:36.069Z2019-06-06T13:05:55ZS-EPMC41128932508306010.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8867