Rifaximin Therapy in Patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Without Constipation Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition affecting lives of patients across the globe. The statistics are much worse than previously thought. Studies showed that 9 - 23% of the world population is suffering from IBS. Very few options are available with inadequate efficacy and a dire need for newer options. Rifaximin is one such promising drug. This study has been conducted to determine the efficacy of rifaximin therapy in IBS patients. Objective: The efficacy of rifaximin was compared with a placebo in controlling the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Study design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Setting: Medicine Outpatient Clinical Department, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Duration of study: 27-05-2015 to 26-11-2015. Sample size: 620 (310 in each group) were enrolled in the study after fulfilling inclusion criteria. Sampling technique: Non-Probability Consecutive Sampling. Results: 620 patients were enrolled in this study. Mean age of study population was 28.31 + 6.45 (Table I).  298 (48.1%) were male and 322 (51.9%) were female. Patients were divided into group A and Group B. Group A received rifaximin and group B received placebo. In group A, improvement in IBS symptoms with Rifaximin was noted in 171 (55.1%) as compared to 90 (29.03%) in group B (p-value <0.0001). Conclusion: Rifaximin is effective in treatment of IBS without constipation. Prescribing rifaximin should be considered in treatment of IBS patients as it provides a promising treatment option which is cost effective and has fewer side effects.