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Effects of desipramine on irritable bowel syndrome compared with atropine and placebo

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Abstract

Antidepressant treatment trials of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have suggested beneficial effects. Twenty-eight patients with the disorder (9 constipation-predominant, 19 diarrhea-predominant_ completed a double-blind crossover study using desipramine, atropine, and placebo in random sequence. A four-week observation period preceded three six-week test periods. Bowel habits, abdominal distress, and affect were reported daily and in biweekly evaluations. Psychological assessments and rectosigmoid contractile studies were done in each period. Stool frequency, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, and slow contractions decreased significantly more in diarrhea-predominant patients during desipramine compared with placebo and atropine treatments. Diarrheaprone patients' depression scores fell more in all periods than constipation-prone patients. Fifteen patients (13 diarrhea-predominant) improved globally during desipramine, five during placebo and six during atropine treatments. Desipramine may be helpful in treating IBS, perhaps through antidepressant and antimuscarinic effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medicine and Psychiatry, College of Human Medicine, B-338 Clinical Center, Michigan State University, 48824-1317, East Lansing, Michigan

    David S. Greenbaum MD, James E. Mayle MD, Lawrence E. Vanegeren PhD, John A. Jerome PhD, Joan W. Mayor RN, Ruth B. Greenbaum MN, Robert W. Matson MS, Gary E. Stein PharmD, Howard A. Dean DO, Nancy A. Halvorsen MD & Lionel W. Rosen MD

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  1. David S. Greenbaum MD
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  2. James E. Mayle MD
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  3. Lawrence E. Vanegeren PhD
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  4. John A. Jerome PhD
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  5. Joan W. Mayor RN
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  6. Ruth B. Greenbaum MN
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  7. Robert W. Matson MS
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  8. Gary E. Stein PharmD
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  9. Howard A. Dean DO
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  10. Nancy A. Halvorsen MD
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  11. Lionel W. Rosen MD
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Additional information

Supported in part by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (MH-34115).

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Greenbaum, D.S., Mayle, J.E., Vanegeren, L.E. et al. Effects of desipramine on irritable bowel syndrome compared with atropine and placebo. Digest Dis Sci 32, 257–266 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297051

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01297051

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