Differentiating functional constipation from constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: management implications.

Symptoms of constipation are commonly seen in medical practice. Once other medical causes have been excluded, distinguishing patients who have constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) from those with functional constipation has been considered useful in terms of planning management. However, the criteria used to distinguish IBS from functional constipation are arguably arbitrary, and the availability of new therapeutic approaches may render such distinctions of little practical relevance. In this article, the author presents a review of the management implications of differentiating constipation-predominant IBS from functional constipation.