Chronic diarrhoea, defined as lasting more than 3 or 4 weeks, is a common condition affecting an estimated 5% of the population who seek medical advice, with many patients receiving diagnoses of IBS-D or functional diarrhoea after exclusion of serious conditions.
- Most people presenting with chronic diarrhoea will not have inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer.
- If less common disorders are not considered, patients may be given a diagnosis of diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) or functional diarrhoea.
- Many different treatments are used for IBS-D but often benefit only a small proportion of patients, leaving many with unmet needs seeking further investigation, advice and treatment.
- Gastroenterologists commonly encounter patients whose principal complaint is frequent, loose stools requiring investigation to exclude serious conditions.
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