Table 1 All diagnostic criteria for IBS and the questions matching Rome III

Manning Criteria

Abdominal pain with 2 or more of the following:

   1. Abdominal pain relieved by defecation; and/or

   2. Abdominal pain onset associated with more frequent stools; and/or

   3. Abdominal pain associated with looser stools; and/or

   4. Abdominal distension or bloating; and/or

   5. Feeling of incomplete defecation; and/or

   6. Mucus in stools (Br Med J 1978)

Rome II Criteria for IBS

At least 12 weeks or more, which need not be consecutive, in the preceding 12 months, of abdominal discomfort or pain that has 2 out of 3 features:

   1. Relieved by defecation

   2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool

   3. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

Symptoms that Cumulatively Support the Diagnosis of IBS:

1. Abnormal stool frequency (may be defined as greater than 3 bowel movements per day and less than 3 bowel movements per week);

2. Abnormal stool form (lumpy/hard or loose/watery stool);

3. Abnormal stool passage (straining, urgency, or feeling of incomplete evacuation);

4. Passage of mucus;

5. Bloating or feeling of abdominal distension. (Gut. 1999)

Rome III

Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months associated with 2 or more of the following:

1. Improvement with defecation

2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool

3. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

Criteria fulfilled for the last 3 months with symptom onset at least 6 months prior to diagnosis.(Gastroenterology 2006)

Rome III matching questions from the interview

Abdominal discomfort or pain

   1. Relieved by defecation

   2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool

   3. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

(Rome II)

   1. "How many times per week do you experience the symptoms? (1 per week/less frequent/more frequent)". Patients who answered that they experienced the symptoms less than one time per week were considered as negative for the Rome III criteria.

   2. "For how long have you been experiencing the symptoms? (1 year/2 years/5 years)". When patients answered that they had been experiencing the symptoms for less than a year the duration was noted (in months).

(FGIDs questionnaire)