Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom scores before and after two weeks of treatment
| Parameter | Before melatonin treatment (absolute baseline score)* | After melatonin treatment (decrease in score) | p Value† | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melatonin | Placebo | Melatonin | Placebo | ||
| All data are geometric mean (SEM). | |||||
| *No statistically significant differences between the melatonin and placebo groups for any of the absolute baseline scores. | |||||
| †Comparisons between the melatonin and placebo groups after two weeks of treatment. | |||||
| ‡Total bowel symptom score >20.0 suggests the presence of significant bowel dysfunction. | |||||
| Abdominal pain | 4.05 (0.28) | 3.85 (0.32) | 2.35 (0.30) | 0.70 (0.25) | <0.001 |
| Abdominal distension | 4.00 (0.36) | 3.15 (0.38) | 1.05 (0.38) | 0.15 (0.29) | 0.069 |
| Frequency of defecation | 3.25 (0.32) | 3.15 (0.43) | 1.85 (0.39) | 0.85 (0.37) | 0.070 |
| Stool type | 6.15 (0.60) | 6.25 (0.54) | 0.65 (0.60) | 0.55 (0.37) | NS |
| Abnormal sensation of defecation | 7.10 (1.02) | 7.70 (0.95) | 1.30 (0.80) | 1.35 (0.65) | NS |
| Quality of life | 5.80 (0.84) | 5.45 (0.65) | 1.25 (0.20) | 0.95 (0.17) | NS |
| Total bowel symptom score‡ | 30.35 (1.84) | 29.55 (1.93) | 7.30 (1.37) | 3.95 (1.25) | 0.078 |