Methods for diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, systems, and code for accurately classifying whether a sample from an individual is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In particular, the present invention is useful for classifying a sample from an individual as an IBS sample using a statistical algorithm and / or empirical data. The present invention is also useful for ruling out one or more diseases or disorders that present with IBS-like symptoms and ruling in IBS using a combination of statistical algorithms and / or empirical data. Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of IBS and prognostic information useful for guiding treatment decisions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 822,488, filed Aug. 15, 2006, 60 / 884,397, filed Jan. 10, 2007, and 60 / 895,962, filed Mar. 20, 2007, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common of all gastrointestinal disorders, affecting 10-20% of the general population and accounting for more than 50% of all patients with digestive complaints. However, studies suggest that only about 10% to 50% of those afflicted with IBS actually seek medical attention. Patients with IBS present with disparate symptoms such as, for example, abdominal pain predominantly related to defecation, diarrhea, constipation or alternating diarrhea and constipation, abdominal distention, gas, and excessive mucus in the stool. More than 40% of IBS patients have symptoms so severe that they have ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention provides methods, systems, and code for accurately classifying whether a sample from an individual is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As a non-limiting example, the present invention is useful for classifying a sample from an individual as an IBS sample using a statistical algorithm and / or empirical data. The present invention is also useful for ruling out one or more diseases or disorders that present with IBS-like symptoms and ruling in IBS using a combination of statistical algorithms and / or empirical data. Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of IBS and prognostic information useful for guiding treatment decisions.

[0021] In some embodiments, the symptom profile is produced by compiling and / or analyzing all or a subset of the answers to the questions set forth in the questionnaire or survey. In other embodiments, the symptom profile is produced based upon the individual's response to the following question: “Are you currently experiencing any symptoms?” The symptom profile generated in accordance with either of these embodiments can be used in combination with a diagnostic marker profile in the algorithmic-based methods described herein to improve the accuracy of predicting IBS.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, food is forced through the intestines more quickly in some cases causing gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

In other cases, the opposite occurs: food passage slows and stools become hard and dry causing constipation.

Such psychosocial trauma or poor cognitive coping strategy profoundly affects symptom severity, daily functioning, and health outcome.

It is well documented that diagnosing a patient as having IBS can be challenging due to the similarity in symptoms between IBS and other diseases or disorders.

In fact, because the symptoms of IBS are similar or identical to the symptoms of so many other intestinal illnesses, it can take years before a correct diagnosis is made.

For example, patients who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but who exhibit mild signs and symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, may be difficult to distinguish from patients with IBS.

As a result, the similarity in symptoms between IBS and IBD renders rapid and accurate diagnosis difficult.

The difficulty in differentially diagnosing IBS and IBD hampers early and effective treatment of these diseases.

Unfortunately, rapid and accurate diagnostic methods for definitively distinguishing IBS from other intestinal diseases or disorders presenting with similar symptoms are currently not available.

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