Irritable bowel syndrome--prognosis and diagnostic safety. A 5-year follow-up study
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The irritable bowel syndrome is the commonest diagnosis in gastroenterological clinics, although diagnostic criteria and investigatory programs vary. To elucidate the diagnostic safety and prognosis of the syndrome, a retrospective study was conducted. One hundred and twelve consecutive patients with irritable bowel syndrome as the final and only abdominal diagnosis in the period 1977-79 were followed up in 1984. Seventeen patients died during the follow-up period; two of these were considered diagnostic failures (chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer). Of the remaining 95 patients, 93 were available for the follow-up study. Three diagnostic failures were found (gallbladder stones, kidney stone, thyrotoxicosis). The diagnostic failure rate was accordingly 4.5% (5/110). Half of the patients had unchanged or aggravated symptoms at the follow-up study, independent of treatment. The only predictor of a poor prognosis was abdominal surgery before the diagnosis.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology |
Volume | 20 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 415-8 |
Number of pages | 4 |
ISSN | 0036-5521 |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 1985 |
- Adult, Aged, Colonic Diseases, Functional, Constipation, Diarrhea, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prognosis, Retrospective Studies
Research areas
ID: 32477358