Tegaserod in the treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Do the risks outweigh the benefits?

摘要

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting up to 20% of the population in the USA (Johanson 2004). IBS is considered a functional bowel disorder resulting in abdominal pain and bloating, constipation and/or diarrhoea. Women are affected twice as frequently as men, generally in the 30-50 year age group. Costs to society either directly (medical and diagnostic) or indirectly (time off work) were estimated to be approximately US $4 billion per year for all functional bowel disorders in 2004 (American Gastroenterological Association (2011) website). Hence, this is a significant medical problem and a large therapeutic market.