Skin manifestations associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and/or discomfort, related to abnormal bowel habits, leading to profound alterations of quality of life. IBS patients are usually classified according to the predominance symptoms associated with abdominal pain; IBS with predominance of diarrhea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C) or mixed troubles (IBS-A). Several studies have suggested a higher prevalence of other comorbidities in IBS patients. Asthma, food, pollen and animal allergies, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis were found to be associated with IBS. A nationwide epidemiological study reported a slight, although statistically significant, increase of rosacea in patients with IBS.