Irritable bowel syndrome--a safe diagnosis?

Seventy-seven of 84 surviving patients in whom the irritable bowel syndrome had been diagnosed at least six years previously were reviewed. A different diagnosis was made in only four cases. Forty-four patients remained symptomatic and 29 patients had no further bowel problems. The irritable bowel syndrome is often a chronic, relapsing disorder, and further investigations are not necessary unless symptoms change considerably.