title: Long-term efficacy of low-dose tricyclic antidepressants for children with functional gastrointestinal disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the long-term efficacy of the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drugs amitriptyline or imipramine in treating functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in pediatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of children with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain diagnosed on the basis of the Rome III criteria was performed. Charts were analyzed for response to the medication and the duration of the response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 98 patients took a TCA for an FGID. Of the 98 patients, 77 patients (78.6%) responded to the treatment for an average of 10.73 (range 1-45) months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TCAs are effective in treating FGIDs in pediatric patients for a long duration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ, USA. JTeitelbaum@SBHCS.com
authors.forename: Jonathan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Teitelbaum
authors.forename: Ruchi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arora
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D000639:Amitriptyline; D007099:Imipramine