Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

This page provides details of the resources and publications available for this clinical guideline.

Irritable bowel syndrome online resource

This online resource provides information about IBS and its management based on the NICE clinical guideline and also links to the various versions of the guideline. It highlights the key priorities for implementation and resources to support implementation. Go to Irritable bowel syndrome.

The resources supporting implementation include a learning opportunity, NICE care – Irritable bowel syndrome, which RCN members can access in the RCN Learning Zone. For further details and an example of content from this learning opportunity, see Learning with the RCN.

Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care (full guideline)

One of the main aims of this guideline is to identify diagnostic criteria for people presenting with symptoms suggestive of IBS and to ensure that primary care clinicians and people who may have IBS have a reference tool that is both sensitive and specific, with high predictive value of the syndrome. This is an area of health care practice which is currently absent, and creates great uncertainty for both clinicians and people who may have IBS (881 pages).

Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care (full guidance)

The advice in the NICE guideline covers the care of adults with irritable bowel syndrome. It includes the support, treatment and advice people should be offered by their GP in diagnosing and helping to manage their irritable bowel syndrome and the circumstances when people need to be referred to a specialist for further tests (553 pages).

Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care (NICE guideline)

The advice in the NICE guideline covers the care of adults with irritable bowel syndrome. It includes the support, treatment and advice people should be offered by their GP in diagnosing and helping to manage their irritable bowel syndrome and the circumstances when people need to be referred to a specialist for further tests (27 pages).

Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care (quick reference guide)

This quick reference guide is for GPs and other staff in primary care who care for people with irritable bowel syndrome (10 pages).

Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: diagnosis and management of irritable bowel syndrome in primary care (information for patients, carers and the public)

Explains NICE guidance on the care and treatment options that should be available in the NHS (12 pages). 

Further documentation to support the implementation of the guideline locally is available under the heading Implementation tools and resources on the right hand side of the irritable bowel syndrome guideline homepage on the NICE website.