Primary care centers in Santa Clara de Girona, Anglès, Cassà de la Selva, and Banyoles, together with the Digestive Service at Trueta and Santa Caterina hospitals, and in coordination with the Girona Regional Clinical Laboratory, have launched a study to evaluate the incorporation of a test based on fecal microbial markers for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

The study will include around 970 people with symptoms consistent with this syndrome, which affects approximately 11% of the European population and causes more than 60% of those affected to consult medical staff. Currently, diagnosis can be delayed because it requires multiple visits and tests to rule out other possible diagnoses, with the burden that this places on patients and the healthcare system.