Copyright
©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2007; 13(2): 219-223
Published online Jan 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i2.219
Published online Jan 14, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i2.219
Differential diagnosis between functional and organic intestinal disorders: Is there a role for non-invasive tests?
Francesco Costa, Maria Gloria Mumolo, Santino Marchi, Massimo Bellini, Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Francesco Costa, MD, PhD, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna - S.O. di Gastroenterologia, Universita’ di Pisa, Ospedale S. Chiara, Via Roma, PISA 67-56122,Italy. fcosta@med.unipi.it
Telephone: +39-50-993485-918720 Fax: +39-50-993050
Received: August 11, 2006
Revised: October 7, 2006
Accepted: November 11, 2006
Published online: January 14, 2007
Revised: October 7, 2006
Accepted: November 11, 2006
Published online: January 14, 2007
Abstract
Abdominal pain and bowel habits alterations are common symptoms in the general population. The investigation to differentiate organic from functional bowel disorders represents a considerable burden both for patients and public health service. The selection of patients who should undergo endoscopic and/or radiological procedures is one of the key points of the diagnostic process, which should avoid the abuse of invasive and expensive tests as well as the underestimation of potentially harmful diseases. Over the coming years, clinicians and researchers will be challenged to develop strategies to increase the patient’s compliance and to reduce the economic and social costs of the intestinal diseases.