Irritable Bowel Syndrome in 2026 Diagnosis, Investigation and Management for General Practice Dr Yanna Ko

Irritable Bowel Syndrome in 2026: Diagnosing & Managing with Confidence

Episode Summary: Are you still treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) as a diagnosis of exclusion?

In this episode, host Michelle Odayan sits down with gastroenterologist and PhD researcher Dr. Yanna Ko to discuss a transformative paradigm shift in general practice: making a confident, positive diagnosis of IBS. Together, they unpack the brand-new Rome 5 diagnostic criteria, outline essential investigations, and map out a practical, evidence-based step-up management plan to help your patients reclaim their quality of life.

Key Takeaways for Your Clinical Practice:

The Rome 5 Update: Learn why abdominal discomfort has been reincluded in the diagnostic criteria after a decade, and how updated frequency thresholds restore diagnostic sensitivity.The Power of a "Positive Diagnosis": Discover why moving away from a "diagnosis of exclusion" model reduces patient anxiety and prevents costly over-investigation.Targeted Investigations: Master the core panel of baseline tests (FBC, CRP, iron studies, coeliac serology and faecal calprotectin) that rule out organic disease with high accuracy.Identifying Red Flags: Confidently spot critical alarm features, such as nocturnal symptoms, rectal bleeding, weight loss, or high-risk family history of bowel cancer, that warrant immediate colonoscopy referrals.A Step-Up Management Algorithm: Get a clear roadmap of therapies based on severity and subtype, ranging from soluble fiber and the low-FODMAP diet to antispasmodics, neuromodulators, and gut-directed hypnotherapy.What to Avoid: Understand why international guidelines strongly advise against commercial microbiome mapping and breath testing for food intolerances in routine clinical practice.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Yanna Ko is an accredited gastroenterologist and hepatologist practicing in Sydney. She is the recipient of the prestigious NHMRC scholarship for her research into bowel disorders and the gut microbiome and is currently completing her PhD on IBS.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Australian general practitioners can obtain CPD points for listening to this episode from our education partner, My Health Academy.

Myhealth Academy Link: https://lms-academy.myhealth.net.au/login/index.php?tenant=MHAC01

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