Editorial
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. May 7, 2008; 14(17): 2625-2629
Published online May 7, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2625
State-of-the-art of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease research in 2008
Lynne V McFarland
Lynne V McFarland, Department of Health Services Research and Development, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Metro-politan Park West, 1100 Olive Way, Suite 1400, Seattle WA 98101, United States
Lynne V McFarland, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98101, United States
Correspondence to: Lynne V McFarland, PhD, Department of Health Services Research and Development, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Metropolitan Park West, 1100 Olive Way, Suite #1400, Seattle WA 98101, United States. lynne.mcfarland@va.gov
Telephone: +1-206-2771095
Fax: +1-206-7642935
Received: January 10, 2008
Revised: February 18, 2008
Published online: May 7, 2008
Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two of the leading causes of chronic intestinal conditions in the world. This issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG) presents a series of papers from world experts who discuss the current knowledge and opinions on these important conditions. Although great strides have been made in the diagnosis, treatment and pathology of IBS and IBD; much has yet to be explained. The etiologies and risk factors of these multifactorial conditions remain elusive. Specific diagnostic biomarkers need to be developed and safer treatments developed. The burden of IBS and IBD on the healthcare system is felt with repeated medical care visits and high costs. IBS and IBD patients can account for 30%-50% of office visits at gastroenterology services/clinics. Over one million people have IBD in the United States, with 30 000 new cases being diagnosed every year. One-quarter million people in the UK are afflicted with IBD. The cost of medical care in the United States for IBD is estimated to be $1.8 billion/year.

Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome; Inflammatory bowel disease