Active clinical trials for "Irritable Bowel Syndrome"

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition characterised by abdominal pain or discomfort in combination with altered bowel function (stool frequency and/or stool consistency), currently defined by the Rome III criteria. The current IBS definition specifies that there are no structural or biochemical abnormalities to account for the symptoms but there is growing evidence that in at least a subset of IBS patients, a discrete immune activation might be a key pathogenetic factor. The condition is prone to develop after a gastroenteritis, post-infectious IBS, and increased numbers of lymphocytes, mast cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines like Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and a general increase in mucosal cellularity have been reported. Despite this, the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents has been poorly investigated. This will be a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multi-centre study that aims to include a total of 200 subjects with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). All subjects will be randomised to receive either 3x800 mg of mesalazine (Asacol®) or corresponding placebo once daily for a total treatment duration of 8 weeks. Males and females aged 18 to 70 years who already are diagnosed with IBS based on the Rome III diagnostic criteria and with a symptom intensity of at least moderate level; defined as an IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) score of ≥175 at both Screening (Visit 1, Day -21±2) and Baseline (Visit 2, Day 0) will be eligible to enter the study. Primary aim: To assess the effect of mesalazine (Asacol®) treatment compared to placebo on global IBS symptoms: A treatment responder will be defined by answering the satisfactory relief of IBS-symptoms question "yes" at the end of at least 4 out of of 8 treatment weeks. Secondary aims: To assess mesalazine (Asacol®) treatment compared to placebo regarding: Levels of inflammatory mediators in the rectal mucosa (e.g. neutrophil mediators, eosinophilic mediators, mast cell activity mediators and cytokines) measured by a new diagnostic tool, the Mucosal Patch Technology (MPT) by means of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) Effects on number of immune cells (count per high power field) and cytokine content (immunohistochemistry) in mucosal biopsies Calprotectin levels in faeces (mg/kg) Individual IBS symptom parameters derived from a symptom diary and also measured by IBS-SSS

Background: Abdominal bloating is a frequent and bothersome complaint in patients with functional gut disorders without satisfactory treatment to date. Recent data from our laboratory indicate that abdominal distention in these patients is produced by abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia: diaphragmatic contraction associated with abdominal wall relaxation (particularly the internal oblique). In analogy to other clinical situations (e.g. functional outlet obstruction, rumination or aerophagia) behavioral treatment by means of biofeedback might be equally effective in these patients. The investigators hypothesized that abdomino-phrenic coordination and abdominal distention can be controlled by biofeedback techniques. Aim: to prove the efficacy of behavioural treatment using biofeedback techniques for abdominal distension. Randomization: Patients will be randomized into biofeedback and placebo groups. Intervention. Biofeedback: patients will be taught to control abdominothoracic muscular activity by bio-feedback using online electromyography information. Placebo: patients will be given a pill containing placebo medication. Interventions will be delivered in 3 sessions (20 min each) over 10-day period . Measurements: Sensation of abdominal distension will be assessed by means of graphic rating scales graded from 0 (no perception) to 6 (very intense sensation). The activity of the abdomino-thoracic muscles will be recorded. Abdominal distension will be measured by a metric tape fixed to a non-stretch belt placed over the umbilicus. Outcomes: Primary outcome: Change in sensation of abdominal sensation. Secondary outcomes: a) changes in thoraco-abdominal activity of the muscular walls; activity of thoraco-abdominal muscles (intercostals, diaphragm, external oblique, internal oblique, upper rectus, lower rectus) will be measured by electromyography; b) changes in girth; abdominal girth will be measured using a nonstretch belt (48mm wide) that is placed over the umbilicus. The overlapping ends of the belt will be adjusted carefully with two elastic bands to adapt constantly to the abdominal wall.

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is conducting a research study on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common condition in North America. It is a long term, recurring gastrointestinal disorder that is estimated to affect 30% of the general population. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain and cramps, and bowel dysfunction such as diarrhea and bloating. The medicines that are currently used to help people with IBS are not as effective as we would like them to be. These medicines are usually only prescribed to reduce the pain of IBS and not actually treat the disorder itself. Recently, scientists have found that probiotics (beneficial bacteria that live inside humans) may help reduce the painful symptoms and diarrhea that are part of IBS. This research is being conducted to determine whether this particular combination of three probiotic bacteria (named Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum) will reduce the symptoms of IBS.

New and effective treatments are needed for patients with post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of glutamine, an abundant amino acid in the body and the principal fuel for enterocytes, in patients who developed diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with increased intestinal permeability following an enteric infection.

The purpose of this study is to assess the pharmacodynamic effects, pharmacokinetics, and safety of two oral formulations (tablet and capsule) of LX1033 in normal healthy volunteers.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a daily use of a Kneipp hot cataplasm with caraway oil is effective in the treatment of abdominal pain and complaints caused by Irritable bowel syndrome.

This phase 2, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of three dose levels of AZD1722 in subjects with constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C) as defined by the ROME III criteria and who have active disease as determined during a two-week screening period. Subjects who qualify and are randomized into the study will receive 5, 20, or 50 mg of AZD1722 BID or placebo BID for 12 consecutive weeks. At the end of this treatment period, subjects will be followed for an additional 4 weeks.

This protocol matches child subjects with peer mentors of similar age who have learned to function successfully with a chronic pain disorder. The trained mentors will present information to the subjects in a supervised and monitored interaction via telephone and computer for 2 months and encourage participation in skill-building programs. Children will be tested for improvement in pain and functioning at 2 months and again at 4 months to see if improvements persist. The investigators hypothesize that children who received peer mentor support will show more improvement in pain and functioning at 2 and 4 months into treatment than those in a control group who do not receive mentor support.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether asimadoline is safe and effective at treating D-IBS.

This trial will study the effects of an investigational (not FDA approved) medication, ROSE-010, on the movement of food through the stomach, small intestine and colon in females with constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS). The study hypothesis is that ROSE-010 will delay gastric emptying of solids and enhances gastric accommodation without retarding colonic transit in female patients with C-IBS.