Urgency as an Endpoint in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Abstract
Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical trial data in patients with D-IBS was conducted. Analyses focused on the relationship of urgency to stool frequency and consistency. Interviews were conducted with patients with D-IBS to test their understanding of the term urgency.
Results: On the days that patients reported urgency, as compared to the days that patients did not report urgency, they had more frequent bowel movements (3.9 versus 1.8) and looser stools (Bristol Stool Score: 5.4 versus 4.2). The differences for both parameters, evaluated on the days with or without urgency, were statistically significant. In patient interviews, patients with D-IBS had a clear understanding of the concept and terminology of urgency and considered it one of their two most bothersome symptoms.
Conclusions: Urgency should be considered a suitable co-primary endpoint in D-IBS studies.
Gastroenterol Res. 2011;4(1):9-12
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/gr283e