Barberio B, Yiannakou Y, Houghton LA, et al. - Since disorders of gut-brain interaction like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) frequently overlap, researchers sought to investigate this issue in a longitudinal follow-up study conducted in a large cohort of individuals. Complete demographic, symptom, mood, and psychological health data were collected from 1,374 adults who self-identified as having IBS. Overall, 807 people met the Rome IV criteria for IBS at baseline and provided complete data. People with IBS who have overlap FD as defined by Rome IV criteria have a worse natural history than those with IBS alone. Those with overlap of IBS and FD reported significantly more severe IBS symptoms, continuous abdominal pain, and that their IBS symptoms limited normal daily activities ≥50% of the time. Finally, those with overlap were more likely to report abnormal anxiety and depression scores at 12 months compared with those with IBS alone, and to have higher levels of somatization. This has significant implications for future IBS treatment trials.