Will the History and Physical Examination Help Establish That Irritable Bowel Syndrome Is Causing This Patient's Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Symptoms?

CONTEXT: Many individuals experience lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms, most commonly attributable to functional conditions. These individuals are frequently diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on their symptoms; however, some may require additional testing or referral to specialists before this diagnosis is made. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature of the accuracy of individual symptoms and combinations of …