NICE guideline

The NICE guideline was published in February 2008 and covers the diagnosis and management of IBS in primary care. You can access the guideline documents and updates on review of the guideline from guideline resources. 

The guideline covers the support, treatment and advice people should be offered by their GP in diagnosing and helping to manage their IBS, and the circumstances when people need to be referred to a specialist for further tests.

The guideline does not specifically look at IBS in children and young people under 18 years, or people with other gastrointestinal disorders such as non-ulcer dyspepsia (indigestion with no obvious cause) or coeliac disease.

The guideline is written to help health care professionals in recognising, treating and caring for adults with IBS. It is also written for adults who suffer from IBS, and may also be useful for their families or carers or for anyone else with an interest in the condition. 

NICE has produced a guide for patients, their families and carers called Understanding NICE guidance: irritable bowel syndrome. Links to this and other documents and resources produced by NICE to support the guideline are available in guideline resources.

The guideline provides further information about the diagnosis and management of IBS, together with key priorities for implementation for healthcare professionals.

Further learning about implementing the NICE IBS guideline into your practice is available in the RCN's Learning Zone. For details see learning with the RCN.