Review article: current and future treatment approaches for IBS with constipation

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

• Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) has multiple effective treatment options.
• Assessing real-world effectiveness requires IBS-C specific surveys for symptom relief, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical trial efficacy and survey data for current IBS-C therapies.
• To discuss agents in development for IBS-C.

Main Methods:

• Review of pivotal trial data for lubiprostone, linaclotide, plecanatide, tenapanor, and tegaserod.
• Analysis of survey data on adequate relief and quality of life.
• Inclusion of agents with novel mechanisms of action.

Main Results:

• Efficacy data from clinical trials were reviewed for key IBS-C medications.
• Survey data highlighted patient-reported outcomes like adequate relief and quality of life.

Conclusions:

• Standardized quality of life and symptom metrics are essential for future IBS-C trials.
• Treatment selection should balance symptom improvement, safety, tolerability, and cost.