Grasp the Differences Between IBD and IBS
Question: As a new medical coder, I’m having trouble understanding the differences between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). How are these conditions different from one another and how are they coded? Illinois Subscriber Answer: IBD is a broad term that includes conditions characterized by inflammation and immune reactions in the gastrointestinal tract, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It’s important to note that IBD, which is an autoimmune disorder, is distinct from IBS. IBS is a functional disorder that causes symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, gas, and bloating, but doesn’t cause visible damage to the digestive tract. Providers also diagnose the conditions differently from one another. IBD diagnoses generally require imaging or colonoscopies, whereas a physician can normally diagnose IBS based on a patient’s description of their symptoms. IBD is a group of conditions, including Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Some examples of IBD codes include: Examples of IBS codes and codes for IBS symptoms include: Lindsey Bush, BA, MA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
