PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - P J Whorwell AU - M McCallum AU - F H Creed AU - C T Roberts TI - Non-colonic features of irritable bowel syndrome. AID - 10.1136/gut.27.1.37 DP - 1986 Jan 01 TA - Gut PG - 37--40 VI - 27 IP - 1 4099 - http://gut.bmj.com/content/27/1/37.short 4100 - http://gut.bmj.com/content/27/1/37.full SO - Gut1986 Jan 01; 27 AB - In 100 patients with irritable bowel syndrome a wide variety of non-gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly more common than in a group of 100 age, sex, and social class matched controls. Nocturia, frequency and urgency of micturition, incomplete bladder emptying, back pain, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, a constant feeling of tiredness and in women dyspareunia were particularly prominent (p less than 0.001). With reference to non-colonic gastrointestinal symptoms nausea, vomiting, dysphagia and early satiety were very common (p less than 0.0001). This symptom diversity was observed irrespective of whether the patient had a psychiatric disorder or not. Patients smoked more than controls (p = 0.02) drank more caffeine containing drinks (p = 0.03) and 26% had taken at least one week off work in the previous 12 months. Thirty three per cent of patients had a family history of irritable bowel syndrome. Cognisance of these diverse symptoms may prevent referral to the wrong medical specialty and inappropriate investigation. They may also be indicative of a much more diffuse disorder of smooth muscle than has previously been appreciated.