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Types of irritable bowel syndrome

Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Classification

Rome III Criteria (2006) include the following headings.

C - functional bowel disorders.
C1 - irritable bowel syndrome.
C2 - functional swelling.
СЗ - functional constipation.
C4 - functional diarrhea.
C5 - non-specific functional bowel disorder.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a persistent set of functional disorders lasting at least 12 weeks over the past 12 months, accompanied by pain (discomfort) in the abdomen that meets the following characteristics:

passes after defecation;
accompanied by a change in the frequency and consistency of stool;
for 25% of the duration of the disease, it is combined with 2 (or more) persistent symptoms of bowel dysfunction (changes in stool frequency, stool consistency, mucus discharge with stool, flatulence, bowel movement disorder - imperative urges, tenesmus, feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, additional efforts during bowel movements).

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by variability and recurrent complaints, no progression, no weight loss. The disorder may worsen under stress, and a connection with other functional disorders (irritable stomach syndrome, autonomic dystonia, orthostatic vascular disorders, neuroses, irritable bladder syndrome, etc.) cannot be ruled out.

According to the Rome III criteria (2006), the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome is established in the presence of recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort in the abdominal region for 3 days each month over the past 3 months, combined with any 2 (or more) of the following signs:

improvement of condition after defecation;
the onset is associated with a change in stool frequency;
the onset is associated with a change in the shape of feces.

The Bristol Stool Chart helps to assess the consistency of stool and determine the type of irritable bowel syndrome.

Type 1 - separate hard, nut-like lumps, difficult to move.
Type 2 - sausage-shaped but lumpy.
Type 3 - sausage-shaped, but with a ribbed surface.
Type 4 - sausage or snake shaped, smooth and soft.
Type 5 - soft small balls with smooth edges.
Type 6 - loose particles with jagged edges; mushy stool.
Type 7 - watery stools without solid particles.

The first 2 types indicate constipation, the 6th and 7th indicate the presence of diarrhea.