Irritable bowel syndrome differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:

Overview

Irritable bowel syndrome must be differentiated from other diseases that cause diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, such as Celiac disease, Inflammatory bowel disease(Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis) Thyroid disease (Hyper or Hypothyroidism), strictures due to ischemia, diverticulitis or ischemia, among others.

The differential diagnosis for Irritable bowel syndrome can be listed based on predominant symptoms, such as constipation predominant, diarrhea predominant and pain predominant diseases.

Differentiating Irritable Bowel Syndrome from other Diseases

Diseases with similar symptoms

Differential Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome on the basis of Constipation:

The differential diagnosis of Irritable bowel Syndrome based on constipation is as follows:[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Differential Diagnosis for Constipation predominant symptoms Clinical features Diagnosis
Strictures due to diverticultis,inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia or cancer
Hypothyroidism
  • Fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, dry skin, constipation, weight gain, puffy face, muscle weakness, hoarseness
Medication
  • Medication history.
Neurologic disease
  • History and neurologic examination
Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Straining, self digitation
Colonic inertia

Differential Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome on the basis of Diarrhea:

The differential diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome based on diarrhea is as follows:[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Differential Diagnosis for Diarrhea predominant symptoms Clinical features Diagnosis
Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Microscopic colitis
Celiac disease
Neuroendocrine tumor
Hyperthyroidism
  • Serum TSH levels
Lactose intolerance
Infectious causes
  • Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea especially in the setting of recent travel
Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
Clostridium difficile infection(Psuedomembranous colitis)

The diffrentials of chronic watery diarrhea are as follows:

Cause Osmotic gap History Physical exam Gold standard Treatment
< 50 mOsm per kg > 50 mOsm per kg*
Watery Secretory Crohns + -
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome + -
  • Gastrin levels
  • Proton pump inhibitors
  • Octreotide
Hyperthyroidism + -
VIPoma + -
  • Elevated VIPlevels
  • Followed by imaging
Osmotic Lactose intolerance - +
Celiac disease - +
Functional Irritable bowel syndrome - - Abdominal pain or discomfort recurring at least 3 days per month in the past 3 months and associated with 2 or more of the following:
  • Onset associated with change in frequency of stool
  • Onset associated with change in appearance of stool

History of straining is also common

Clinical diagnosis
Template:WikiDoc Sources

Differential diagnosis of abdominal pain

The differential diagnosis based on abdominal pain are as follows:

Classification of acute abdomen based

on etiology

Presentation Clinical findings Diagnosis Comments
Fever Rigors and Chills Abdominal Pain Jaundice Hypotension Guarding Rebound Tenderness Bowel sounds Other findings Lab Findings Imaging
Common causes of

Peritonitis

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis + Diffuse Hypoactive
  • Ascitic fluid PMN>250 cells/mm³
  • Culture: Positive for single organism
Ultrasound for evaluation of liver cirrhosis -
Perforated gastric and duodenal ulcer + Diffuse + + + N
    • Glucose < 50mg/dl
    • Total protein > 1g/dl
Air under diaphragm in upright CXR Upper GI endoscopy for diagnosis
Acute suppurative cholangitis + + RUQ + + + + ±
Acute cholangitis + RUQ + N Abnormal LFT Ultrasound shows biliary dilatation Biliary drainage (ERCP) + IV antibiotics
Acute cholecystitis + RUQ + Hypoactive Ultrasound shows gallstone and evidence of inflammation Murphy’s sign
Acute pancreatitis + Epigastric ± N Increased amylase / lipase Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Pain radiation to back
Acute appendicitis + RLQ + + Hypoactive Leukocytosis Ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation Nausea & vomiting, decreased appetite
Acute diverticulitis + LLQ ± + Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and ultrasound shows evidence of inflammation
Hollow Viscous Obstruction Small intestine obstruction Diffuse + ± Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis Abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention
Gall stone disease/Cholelithiasis ±
Volvulus - Diffuse - + - Hypoactive Leukocytosis CT scan and abdominal X ray Nausea & vomiting associated with constipation, abdominal distention
Biliary colic - RUQ + - - N Increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase Ultrasound Nausea & vomiting
Renal colic - Flank pain - - - N Hematuria CT scan and ultrasound Colicky abdominal pain associated with nausea & vomiting
Vascular Disorders Ischemic causes Mesenteric ischemia ± Periumbilical - - - Hyperactive Leukocytosis and lactic acidosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting, normal physical examination
Acute ischemic colitis ± Diffuse - + + Hyperactive then absent Leukocytosis CT scan Nausea & vomiting
Hemorrhagic causes Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm - Diffuse - - - N Normal CT scan Unstable hemodynamics
Intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage - Diffuse - - - N Anemia CT scan History of trauma
Gynaecological Causes Fallopian tube Acute salpingitis + LLQ/ RLQ ± ± N Leukocytosis Pelvic ultrasound Vaginal discharge
Ovarian cyst complications Torsion of the cyst - RLQ / LLQ - ± ± N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting
Cyst rupture - RLQ / LLQ - +/- +/- N Increased ESR and CRP Ultrasound Sudden onset sever pain with nausea and vomiting
Pregnancy Ruptured ectopic pregnancy - RLQ / LLQ - - - N Positive pregnancy test Ultrasound History of missed period and vaginal bleeding
Functional Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Diffuse - - - - N

Clinical diagnosis

- High dietary fiber,Osmotic laxatives and Antispasmodicdrugs

The following is a list of diseases that present with acute onset severe lower abdominal pain:

Disease Findings
Ectopic pregnancy History of missed menses, positive pregnancy test, ultrasound reveals an empty uterus and may show a mass in the fallopian tubes.[21]
Appendicitis Pain localized to the right iliac fossa, vomiting, abdominal ultrasound sensitivity for diagnosis of acute appendicitis is 75% to 90%.[22]
Rupturedovarian cyst Usually spontaneous, can follow history of trauma, mild chronic lower abdominal discomfort may suddenly intensify, ultrasound is diagnostic.[23]
Ovarian cyst torsion Presents with acute severe unilateral lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, tender adnexal mass palpated in 90%, ultrasound is diagnostic.[24]
Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst Presents with localized abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Hypovolemic shock may be present, abdominal tenderness and guarding are physical exam findings, ultrasound is diagnostic.[24]
Endometriosis Presents with cyclic pain that is exacerbated by onset of menses, dyspareunia. laparoscopic exploration is diagnostic.[24]
Acute cystitis Presents with features of increased urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria, and suprapubic pain.[25][26]

References

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  11. Guagnozzi D, Arias Á, Lucendo AJ (2016). "Systematic review with meta-analysis: diagnostic overlap of microscopic colitis and functional bowel disorders". Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 43 (8): 851–862. doi:10.1111/apt.13573. PMID 26913568.
  12. Hilpüsch F, Johnsen PH, Goll R, Valle PC, Sørbye SW, Abelsen B (2017). "Microscopic colitis: a missed diagnosis among patients with moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome". Scand. J. Gastroenterol. 52 (2): 173–177. doi:10.1080/00365521.2016.1242025. PMID 27796144.
  13. SCOBIE BA, MCGILL DB, PRIESTLEY JT, ROVELSTAD RA (1964). "EXCLUDED GASTRIC ANTRUM SIMULATING THE ZOLLINGER-ELLISON SYNDROME". Gastroenterology. 47: 184–7. PMID 14201408.
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  20. Ford AC, Spiegel BM, Talley NJ, Moayyedi P (2009). "Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis". Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 7 (12): 1279–86. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2009.06.031. PMID 19602448.
  21. Morin L, Cargill YM, Glanc P (2016). "Ultrasound Evaluation of First Trimester Complications of Pregnancy". J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 38 (10): 982–988. doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2016.06.001. PMID 27720100.
  22. Balthazar EJ, Birnbaum BA, Yee J, Megibow AJ, Roshkow J, Gray C (1994). "Acute appendicitis: CT and US correlation in 100 patients". Radiology. 190 (1): 31–5. doi:10.1148/radiology.190.1.8259423. PMID 8259423.
  23. Bottomley C, Bourne T (2009). "Diagnosis and management of ovarian cyst accidents". Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 23 (5): 711–24. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2009.02.001. PMID 19299205.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 Bhavsar AK, Gelner EJ, Shorma T (2016). "Common Questions About the Evaluation of Acute Pelvic Pain". Am Fam Physician. 93 (1): 41–8. PMID 26760839.
  25. {{Cite journal | author = W. E. Stamm | title = Etiology and management of the acute urethral syndrome | journal = Sexually transmitted diseases | volume = 8 | issue = 3 | pages = 235–238 | year = 1981 | month = July-September | pmid = 7292216
  26. {{Cite journal | author = W. E. Stamm, K. F. Wagner, R. Amsel, E. R. Alexander, M. Turck, G. W. Counts & K. K. Holmes | title = Causes of the acute urethral syndrome in women | journal = The New England journal of medicine | volume = 303 | issue = 8 | pages = 409–415 | year = 1980 | month = August | doi = 10.1056/NEJM198008213030801 | pmid = 6993946

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