Around 11% of the worldwide population experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), making it one of the most frequent gastroenterological diagnoses.1 The symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain associated with unpredictable bowel habits and variable changes in the form and frequency of stool.2 While all patients with IBS suffer from recurrent bouts of abdominal pain, their bowel habits are varied: around one-third suffer predominantly with diarrhoea (IBS-D), one-fifth experience predominantly constipation (IBS-C) and half have an erratic mixed pattern of both diarrhoea and constipation (IBS-M).3 This very heterogeneous condition undoubtedly has multiple causes and an individualized approach to management and treatment is required. Here I discuss the mistakes most frequently made when diagnosing and managing IBS. The mistakes and discussion that follow are based, where possible, on published data and failing that on many years of my own clinical experience.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a subclassification of steatotic liver disease (SLD), defined as the presence of excess triglyceride storage in the liver in conjunction with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor and no other discernible cause.1 Cirrhosis secondary to MASH is the most common cause of liver disease in the world and is the fastest-growing indication for liver transplantation, but it also has a >50% recurrence rate post-transplantation.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), first introduced with omeprazole in 1988, revolutionized the treatment of gastric acid-related conditions like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, gastroduodenal ulcers, and Helicobacter pylori infections. Despite their effectiveness, PPIs are often prescribed for conditions without a proven link to gastric acid, such as dyspepsia and upper abdominal discomfort. Long-term use of PPIs has raised safety concerns, including risks of vitamin and mineral malabsorption, pneumonia, gastrointestinal infections, and dementia. This Mistakes In article addresses nine common mistakes in PPI use and aims to clarify misconceptions about their use.

A recent UEG survey indicated that dysphagia, heartburn, bloating, abdominal pain and changes to bowel habit are each reported by 5–15% of the general population.1 For patients with mild symptoms, negative tests provide reassurance and simple, symptomatic management might be all that is required (e.g. acid suppression, stool regulation). However, for those with severe symptoms that persist on therapy, ruling out life-threatening disease is not sufficient, and referral to the neurogastroenterology and motility (NGM) laboratory for physiological measurements is often indicated. Clinical investigations aim to explain the cause of symptoms and establish a diagnosis that can guide rational treatment. Until recently, it could be argued that manometry, scintigraphy, breath tests and related tests rarely provided this information. As a result, only patients with suspected major motility disorders (e.g. achalasia, severe reflux disease or faecal incontinence) were routinely referred to the NGM laboratory for tests. Technological advances, such as high-resolution manometry (HRM), now provide objective measurements not only of motility, but also of function in terms of the movement (and digestion) of ingested material within the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, the ability to associate events (such as bolus retention, reflux or gas production) with symptoms provides an indication of visceral sensitivity and can identify what is causing patient complaints. Here, I discuss frequent mistakes in clinical investigation of gastrointestinal motility and function based on a series of consensus documents published by members of the International Working Group for Disorders of Gastrointestinal Motility and Function.