Efficacy of alosetron in irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

The 5HT3 receptor antagonist alosetron has been tested in several trials on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to determine its effect on adequate relief of pain or global improvement of symptoms in IBS patients. Six large, multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled trials fulfilled pre-set criteria for high quality and were included in the meta-analysis; 1762 patients were randomized to alosetron treatment and 1356 to placebo. Seventy-five per cent of the patients experienced diarrhoea-predominant IBS and 93% were females. The pooled odds ratio for adequate relief of pain or global symptoms improvement was 1.81 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57-2.10). The average number of patients needed to treat with alosetron for one patient to achieve improvement over placebo treatment was seven (95% CI 5.74-9.43). The present analysis shows that alosetron 1 mg b.i.d. positively impacts global symptoms, and pain and discomfort in non-constipated IBS female patients. One in four patients treated with alosetron may develop constipation. The efficacy of alosetron is unclear in male patients.

• Authors: F Cremonini, S Delgado-Aros, M Camilleri
• Journal: Neurogastroenterology and motility : the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society (Neurogastroenterol Motil) Vol. 15 Issue 1 Pg. 79-86 (Feb 2003) ISSN: 1350-1925 [Print] England
• PMID: 12588472 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Carbolines
• Serotonin Antagonists
• alosetron

Topics

• Carbolines (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Colonic Diseases, Functional (drug therapy)
• Diarrhea (drug therapy)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Serotonin Antagonists (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Sex Factors
• Treatment Outcome