A placebo controlled study to determine the efficacy and mode of action of ondansetron in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects around 10% of the population and accounts for 1.8 million consultations/year in primary care in England and Wales (0.6 million patients). Around one third of patients meet the criteria for IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D) and despite its high prevalence, there is no satisfactory treatment at present. Loperamide is currently used to reduce bowel frequency, however it does not improve symptoms such abdominal pain. Other symptoms of IBS-D include frequent, loose, or watery stools with associated urgency, which can severely limit socialising, travelling, and eating out, resulting in a reduced quality of life and work productivity. The primary aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of the use of ondansetron in patients with the symptoms of IBS-D including urgency, looseness of stool, frequency of defecation and abdominal discomfort. Ondansetron belongs to a class of drug known as 5HT3RAs and a recent meta-analysis shows that 5HT3RAs is an effective treatment for IBS-D, improving stool consistency and reducing frequency and urgency of defecation. 400 patients with IBS-D will be randomised on a 1:1 basis to receive either Ondansetron or Placebo. Both treatments will be administered in oral doses of between 4-24mg daily for 12 weeks. Dose titration will be undertaken in the first two weeks of the study to avoid constipation. The primary outcome of response will be assessed at 12 weeks post randomisation using patient reported data on daily stool frequency and abdominal pain. If ondansetron is effective in the trial, it could easily be widely adopted since it is an inexpensive, safe, and generic drug. By providing an effective treatment, it could not only reduce patient symptoms, but also reduce costs of repeated referral and investigation.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
80
Ondansetron is a highly selective receptor antagonist (5-HT3RA)
Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Barnsley, United Kingdom
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust
Birmingham, United Kingdom
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Weekly responder for abdominal pain and stool consistency
Measured at 12 weeks post randomisation and defined, as recommended by the FDA, as patient being a weekly responder for BOTH pain intensity AND stool consistency for at least 6 weeks in the 12 week treatment period.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Stool Frequency
For the endpoint analysis, the mean number of stools per day over the last month (weeks 9-12) will be used.
Time frame: 12 weeks
Stool Consistency
Defined as number of days per week with at least 1 loose stool and the average stool consistency over the last month (weeks 9-12)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Urgency of defecation
The mean daily urgency score over last month (weeks 9-12)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Satisfactory relief of IBS symptoms
Defined as satisfactory relief of IBS symptoms for at least 6 out of 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks c
Functional dyspepsia
SF-LDQ questionnaire at week 0 and week 12
Time frame: This information is collected via a questionnaire which asks the patient about any symptoms associated with IBS that they may be experiencing. This information is collected at baseline (week 0) and again after treatment (week 12).
IBS Symptom Severity Scale
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale questionnaire which asks patients about their IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain etc. The patients will provide yes/no answer or a score on a 0-100 scale with 0 being the minimum amount and 100 being define as quite severe/definitely.
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Durham, United Kingdom
Westen General Hosptal, Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds, United Kingdom
London North West NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
Queen Mary, University of London
London, United Kingdom
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
London, United Kingdom
Salford Royal Hospital
Manchester, United Kingdom
University Hospital of South Manchester
Manchester, United Kingdom
...and 4 more locations
Time frame: This information is collected at baseline (week 0) and again after treatment (week 12).
Rescue Medication
The total number of days taken loperamide throughout the 12 weeks
Time frame: 12 weeks
Abdominal pain score
The mean daily pain score over the last month (weeks 9-12)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire. This information is collected via a questionnaire which asks the patient about their general overall feelings. It asks a variety of question and the patient is to tick the box beside the reply that is closest to how they feel. Each question has 1 of 4 potential replies (feelings) that vary depending on the nature of the question.
Time frame: This information is collected at baseline (week 0) and again after treatment (week 12).
IBS Quality of life summary score
IBS-QOL questionnaire at 0 and 12 weeks
Time frame: This information is collected via a questionnaire which asks the patient about the quality of their life. This information is collected at baseline (week 0) and again after treatment (week 12).
Stool frequency post treatment
The mean number of stools per day for 1 months after treatment (weeks 13-16)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Stool consistency post treatment
The mean daily stool consistency over 1 month (weeks 13-16) .
Time frame: 4 weeks
Urgency of defecation post treatment
The mean daily urgency score over 1 month post treatment (weeks 13-16).
Time frame: 4 weeks
Abdominal pain post treatment
The mean daily pain score over 1 month (weeks 13-16)
Time frame: 4 weeks