A Pharmacist's Role in Chronic Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders diagnosed in both primary care and specialty clinics today. A variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy options exist to alleviate manifestations and symptoms associated with IBS. Even though IBS is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, the causes of this chronic disorder are not well understood. Therefore, it may be challenging for pharmacists to separate causative ideology and tailor lifestyle modifications to fit patient specific IBS-subtypes. By developing a deeper understanding of diagnostic indicators and clinical signs of IBS, pharmacists will be able to competently educate patients on pharmacological treatment options and lifestyle modifications to improve overall quality of life. Selecting treatment options for patients with IBS is a common challenge, particularly in a heterogeneous patient population. This course will enable interactive learning through the application of knowledge-based skills in a quiz question/answer format.

Learning Objectives
-Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to:
-Understand the epidemiology and pathophysiology for IBS.
-Describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria for IBS.
-Identify and recommend non-pharmacologic and pharmacological treatment options for patients with IBS.
-Discuss indications, adverse effects, and mechanism of action when considering available treatment options for IBS.