To identify symptoms which can distinguish IBS from organic disease
The higher the number of symptoms present, the higher the probability that IBS is present. Sensitivity, specificity, and overall efficacy in diagnosing IBS are 90, 96, and 80% if 2, 3, or 4 are present of the symptoms 1-4. Sensitivity, specificity, and efficacy rises to 84,75, and 80% if 3,4,5, or 6 symptoms are present of symptoms 1-6