Effect of tegaserod on colonic transit time in male patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Tegaserod is approved for the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) in females. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tegaserod on colonic transit time (CTT) and symptoms in male patients with C-IBS.


METHODS
Forty-four males with C-IBS (Rome II) were enrolled. After a baseline washout period of 2 weeks, 40 patients were randomized to 6 mg twice daily of tegaserod or placebo for 12 weeks. Daily bowel habits and weekly satisfactory relief of symptoms were recorded. Total and segmental CTT were measured using radiopaque markers at baseline and after treatment.


RESULTS
The mean +/- SD for the total colonic, right colonic, left colonic and rectosigmoid transit time (in hours) were 18.96 +/- 3.92, 7.74 +/- 1.55, 5.64 +/- 1.51 and 5.58 +/- 2.2 in the tegaserod group compared to 22.47 +/- 3.73, 9.69 +/- 2.33, 6.6 +/- 1.32 and 6.18 +/- 2.22 in the placebo group at the end of 12 weeks. There was a statistically significant difference in the total, right and left CTT in the tegaserod group (P < 0.05) at the end of treatment. Global satisfactory relief at the end of 12 weeks was 75% in the tegaserod group and 50% in the placebo group (P > 0.05). Greater stool frequency occurred in the tegaserod group (P > 0.05). There was a significant decrease in the stool consistency at the end of 12 weeks in patients treated with tegaserod (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Tegaserod causes significant acceleration of CTT in male patients with C-IBS. Although there was a trend towards improvement in bowel symptoms in the treated group, this effect was not statistically significant.
Harish
Kareem
K
Department of Gastroenterology, Calicut Medical College, Calicut, Kerala, India. dr_harishk@yahoo.co.in
Hazeena
Kizhekkan
K
Thomas
Varghese
V
Kumar
Sunil
S
Jose
Tony
T
Narayanan
Puthiyaveetil
P
D000328:Adult; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D007211:Indoles; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C105050:tegaserod