How we made the decision

We check our guidelines regularly to ensure they remain up to date. We based the decision on surveillance 8 years after the publication of NICE's guideline on irritable bowel syndrome (CG61) in 2008.

For details of the process and update decisions that are available, see ensuring that published guidelines are current and accurate in developing NICE guidelines: the manual.

Previous surveillance update decisions for the guideline are on our website.

Evidence

We found 104 studies in a search for randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews published between 1 September 2013 and 18 July 2016. We also considered additional studies identified by members of the guideline committee who originally worked on this guideline.

We also considered evidence identified in previous surveillance 3 years and 6 years after publication of the guideline. This included 52 studies identified by search.

From all sources, we considered 156 studies to be relevant to the guideline.

We also checked for relevant ongoing research, which will be evaluated again at the next surveillance review of the guideline.

See appendix A: summary of evidence from surveillance for details of all evidence considered, and references.

Views of topic experts

We considered the views of topic experts, including those who helped to develop the guideline and other correspondence we have received since the publication of the guideline.

Views of stakeholders

Stakeholders commented on the decision not to update the guideline. Overall, 2 stakeholders commented. See appendix B for stakeholders' comments and our responses.

One stakeholder agreed with the decision to not update the guideline but suggested minor amendments to existing recommendations on fibre consumption. However, evidence is insufficient to support such changes at this time. One commentator disagreed with the decision to not update the guideline and suggested adding guidance on intolerance to protein in cows' milk. However, evidence in people with IBS is insufficient to support an update decision at this time.

See ensuring that published guidelines are current and accurate in developing NICE guidelines: the manual for more details on our consultation processes.

NICE Surveillance programme project team

Sarah Willett
Associate Director

Philip Alderson
Consultant Clinical Adviser

Emma McFarlane
Technical Adviser

Lynne Kincaid
Technical Analyst

The NICE project team would like to thank the topic experts who participated in the surveillance process.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-2330-4


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