The diagnosis and definition of IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME are problematic. However, its existence as a disease entity has been recognized for at least a thousand years with both Rhazes and Avicenna discussing its constellation of symptoms. In recent times, attention has focused on the symptoms and symptom durations critical to the diagnosis. This work has been encapsulated in the reports of the Rome Foundation. The difficulties in disease definition have led to wide variations between reports on the condition’, s prevalence in both within and between countries. Nevertheless, it is clear that IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME is common across all societies. It is consequently of concern that allopathic medications are of limited benefit, particularly in the management of pain, and this has generated a growing interest in traditional therapies as well as hypnotherapy and acupuncture. This review touches on these issues and will hopefully stimulate further research.

Introduction: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder with a wide range of effects on the individual’ s quality of life, emotional state, and identity. Given the lack of knowledge about patients’ perceptions of life with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, this study aimed to describe and interpret patients' experience of living with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach on 15 patients with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME who referred to three central clinics. The data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the participants who were selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was carried out using Van Manen’ s six-step methodological framework as a guide. Besides, MAXQDA software was used for data management. Results: The analysis of the data yielded four themes and eight subthemes. The patients’ experiences of living with IBS were manifested through the themes of “ crisis and transient release” (with “ storm in the corporeality” and “ relief” subthemes); “ surrender and harassment” (with “ mandatory submitting” and “ feeling of helplessness” subthemes); “ looking for adaptation” (with “ struggle in obtaining insight” and “ seeking help from coping strategies” subthemes); and “ different self-perceptions” (with “ threatened self” and “ deep self-knowledge” subthemes). Conclusion: Understanding the life experience of IBS patients can be effective in improving the interdisciplinary medical-care programs and reducing their psychological, social, and physical problems. Therefore, carrying out more studies to promote the quality of life of IBS patients is suggested.

Background: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in intestinal movements in the absence of structural or biochemical abnormalities. In spite of the high prevalence, its etiology is unknown, and there are no specific diagnostic laboratory tests. Material and Methods: In a case/control study, 36 biopsy samples taken from patients with IBS and 30 biopsy samples as control were obtained. Expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR 3), Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR 9), and Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG 1) in macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in terms of percentage and color intensity were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using Mann Whitney U and Chi-square tests. Results: The differences between percentage and intensity in the sample and control groups were significant for all three receptors in the epithelial cells. In plasma cells, the difference in TLR 3 and TLR 9 percentage was significant but not significant for RIG. However, in terms of intensity, it was not significant for any of them. In lymphocytes and macrophages, there was no significant difference for any of the receptors. Conclusion: Since the expression of some virus sensing receptors on the different cell types of the intestine increases following infection, we concluded that IBS might be related to viral infections of the intestine. Future studies are needed to reveal the exact nature of the suspected viral agents. Some viruses producing gastroenteritis in humans, such as coronavirus, can be suspected.

Introduction: The IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME is most common functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) that Psychological factors play an important role in development and exacerbation it’s symptoms. The aim of this research was to study the effect of therapeutic touch on state and trait anxiety in patients with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME.Methods: The research hypotheses were tested by using pre and post test semiexperimental design with control group. The study sample was consisted of 24 patient that randomly assigned in experimental and control group. Experimental group, in addition to drug therapy, 4 times (once per week) were receiving therapeutic touch. Participants completed Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory. Data was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U Test.Results: The result showed that there is a significant difference between experimental and control group in state anxiety scores, in the other words, therapeutic touch reduced state anxiety in patients with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME. Also, therapeutic touch reduces trait anxiety in patients with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, but this reduction was not significant.Conclusion: The results this study could starting point for do more research in this area and if approved, use of therapeutic touch for reduced anxiety of patients with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) is one of the common gastrointestinal disorders considered as a psychosomatic disorder. Type D personality characterized by both global traits including negative affectivity and social inhibition has been proposed to be related to etiology of psychosomatic disorders. However, the role of this personality type in severity of IBS symptoms remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of type D personality in severity of IBS symptoms.METHODS: In a cross sectional study 194 consecutive patients with IBS referred to the psychosomatic clinics at Noor hospital, Isfahan were selected from Winter 2009 to Summer 2009. The patients were divided into two groups with (79 patients) and without (115 patients) type D personality by using DS-14. The patients completed type D personality Scale (DS-14) and the IB Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS). Then the data was analyzed.FINDINGS: The findings indicated that 40.7% were the type D personality. Although the results of ANCOVA showed no significant difference between two groups, with and without type D, in severity of IBS symptoms (F=1.39, p=0.24), multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated negative affectivity, as one of the type D dimensions (b=4.03, p=0.006) and treatment duration (b=0.428, p=0.038) were the significant predictors for severity of IBS symptoms.CONCLUSION: Although, it seems that type D personality as a psychological factor does not effect on IBS symptom severity, the evidence confirms possible role of negative affectivity as one of the type D dimensions in severity of IBS symptoms.