Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, including details on treatment, symptoms, digestion, nutrition, diet, drugs.

Psychological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lackner JM, Mesmer C, Morley S, Dowzer C, Hamilton S

Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Erie County Medical Center, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA. lackner@buffalo.edu

This study conducted a systematic review to assess the quality of existing literature on psychological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome and to quantify the evidence for their efficacy. Three independent reviewers (2 from England, 1 from the United States) coded the quality of 32 studies, 17 of which provided data suitable for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of efficacy data (50% reduction of symptoms) gave an odds ratio of 12 (95% confidence interval = 5.56-25.96) and a number needed to treat of 2. Psychological treatments are, as a class of interventions, effective in reducing symptoms compared with a pooled group of control conditions. Questions regarding the relative superiority of specific psychological treatments and influence of active versus nonspecific treatment effects remain unanswered.

Published 22 December 2004 in J Consult Clin Psychol, 72(6): 1100-13.
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