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BSFS and Rome V Criteria

Bristol Stool Form Scale

Rome Foundation Bristol Stool Form Scale Card-2026

Rome IV Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Recurrent abdominal pain, on average at least 1 day per week, in the last 3 months, with an overall symptom onset of at least six months prior to diagnosis, related to defecation, associated with a change in stool frequency and/or change in form and appearance, with greater than 25% of bowel movements corresponding to BSFS Type 1 or 2 and less than 25% of bowels corresponding to BSFS Type 6 or 7.

Rome V Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Recurrent, but not continuous, abdominal pain or discomfort on average at least 3 days per month in the last 3 months, associated with two or more of the following criteria:

  • Related to defecation
  • Associated with a change in frequency of stool
  • Associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool
Rome V IBS Subtypes