Double-blind placebo-controlled trial of amitriptyline for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of amitriptyline (AMI) in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adolescents.


METHODS
Adolescents 12 to 18 years with newly diagnosed IBS were surveyed with a symptom checklist, pain rating scale, visual analog scale, and IBS quality of life (QOL) questionnaire. Subjects were randomized in a double-blinded fashion to receive AMI or placebo, and again completed surveys at 2, 6, 10, and 13 weeks.


RESULTS
Thirty-three patients (24 female) were enrolled. Patients receiving AMI were more likely to experience improvement from baseline in overall QOL at 6, 10, and 13 weeks (P = .019, .004, and .013). Patients receiving AMI were also more likely to experience a reduction in IBS-associated diarrhea at 6 and 10 weeks (P = .029 for both), a reduction in periumbilical pain at 10 weeks (P = .018), and a reduction in right lower quadrant pain at 6, 10, and 13 weeks (P = .014, .039, and .004).


CONCLUSIONS
AMI significantly improves overall QOL in adolescents with IBS and should be a therapeutic option for adolescents with this disorder.
Bahar
Ron J
RJ
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 91316, USA. bahar@bizla.rr.com
Collins
Brynie S
BS
Steinmetz
Barry
B
Ament
Marvin E
ME
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline