Recent advances in the pathophysiology of visceral pain in irritable bowel syndrome

(doi:10.24875/NGL.19000031)

Eduardo E. Valdez-Morales, Department of Medicine, Center of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, México
Tonatiuh Barrios-García, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Basic Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, México
Alma Barajas-Espinosa, Faculty of Nursing, Escuela Superior de Huejutla, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Huejutla de Reyes, Hidalgo, Mexico
Raquel Guerrero Alba, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Basic Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, México

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most frequent functional bowel disorder seen by gastroenterologists in their daily practice, accounting for more than 30% of outpatient's visits. Recurrent abdominal pain in the absence of obvious physiological abnormalities is one of the principal symptoms of the IBS and can result in emotional distress and physical disability impacting the quality of life of the patient. This pain can be difficult to treat effectively, as the underlying etiology is not well understood. This review focuses on recent advances in the pathophysiology of visceral pain in IBS and describes the main molecular mechanism of visceral hypersensitivity