According to the Rome II criteria, which of the following is NOT part of the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to the Rome II criteria includes specific symptoms related to bowel habits and abdominal discomfort. The key components of IBS diagnosis involve recurrent abdominal pain that is associated with changes in bowel movements, including frequency and form of stool, and the symptoms must have been present for a certain duration.

The correct answer highlights that the presence of blood in the stool is not part of the Rome II criteria for IBS. In fact, the presence of blood typically suggests other gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer, rather than IBS. The Rome criteria specifically focus on functional gastrointestinal disorders, meaning that there are no structural or biochemical abnormalities causing the symptoms.

Relief of pain after defecation, changes in stool form, and criteria regarding the duration of symptoms are all part of the diagnostic criteria. These characteristics help distinguish IBS from other gastrointestinal disorders that may present with similar symptoms but require different treatment and management approaches.