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Last updated: Thu, Nov 17, 2022
An Australian study found that 18% reported functional abdominal pain (pain with no identifiable physical abnormality) in a month, while more than twice as many reported pain over the period of a year.1 Functional abdominal pain is characterized by pain, discomfort, and altered bowel habits for which no structural or organic cause can be identified.
A U.K. study identified several factors that increased the likelihood that a symptom-free individual would develop new abdominal pain. These factors were high levels of psychological distress, anxiety about illness, fatigue, a history of medical consultations and treatment, and low back pain.2
Evidence shows it is likely that there is a genetic predisposition for the development of irritable bowel syndrome.