Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

This code signifies a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered bowel habits, specifically presenting with predominant constipation. It reflects a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) where constipation is the primary and most bothersome symptom.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C). This diagnosis is typically made based on Rome IV criteria, which include recurrent abdominal pain, on average, at least one day per week in the last three months, associated with two or more of the following: related to defecation, change in frequency of stool, or change in form (appearance) of stool, with constipation being the predominant stool pattern.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly specifies "with constipation" to differentiate from other IBS subtypes.
• Do not code this if the patient's primary symptom is diarrhea or if the IBS subtype is unspecified.
• Consider co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression, which are common in IBS patients, and code them separately if documented.