Table 3 --Rome Symptom Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Multinational Consensus) [132]


At least 3 months of continuous or recurrent symptoms of


1. Abdominal pain or discomfort relieved by defecation or

2. Associated with change in stool frequency or consistency

Two or more of the following at least 25% of the time

1. Altered stool frequency

2. Altered stool form (hard or loose/watery stool)

3. Altered stool passage (urgency, incomplete evacuation)

4. Passage of mucus

5. Bloating or abdominal distention