Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials

Abstract EN

Objective.

To explore the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS).

Methods.

Four English and four Chinese databases were searched through November, 2015.

Randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials were selected.

Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed by two authors independently.

RevMan 5.2.0 software was applied to analyze the data of included trials.

Results.

A total of 14 trials involving 1551 patients were included.

Meta-analysis demonstrated superior global symptom improvement (RR = 1.62; 95% CI 1.31, 2.00; P < 0 .

00001 ; number needed to treat = 3.6), abdominal pain improvement (RR = 1.95; 95% CI 1.61, 2.35; P < 0.00001 ), diarrhea improvement (RR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.60, 2.20; P < 0.00001 ), pain threshold assessment (MD = 54.53; 95% CI 38.76, 70.30; P < 0.00001 ), and lower IBS Symptom Severity Score (SMD = −1.01; 95% CI −1.72, −0.30; P = 0.005 ), when compared with placebo, while for defecation threshold assessment, quality of life, and adverse events, no differences were found between treatment groups and controlled groups.

Conclusion.

This meta-analysis shows that Chinese herbal medicine is an effective and safe treatment for D-IBS.

However, due to the small sample size and high heterogeneity, further studies are required.