The effect of mebeverine on the quality of life of patients with irritable bowel syndrome in the Tuzla Canton

Abstract

By definition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, characterised by abdominal pain and changes in the bowel movement, without any detectable organic disease (no histological, morphological, biochemical, or microbiological abnormality). The study included 200 patients with irritable bowel syndrome who had a colonoscopy performed and were diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome using the Rome IV criteria. From January to April of 2018, the study was conducted as a prospective cohort study at the University Clinical Center Tuzla (UCC). The participants were surveyed during the initial exam and on week four and eight after the administered therapeutic protocol. The aim of the study was to determine the most commonly used medicine for treatment of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in the Tuzla Canton. Results: The most commonly prescribed medicine after the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome was mebeverine as monotherapy or mebeverine in combination with an antidepressant. Discussion: Even though there are more than 50 registered medicines for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in the Tuzla Canton, probably due to its availability most often mebeverine was the medicine of choice. Conclusion: After the colonoscopy and the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, regardless of the age, sex, or the subtype of irritable bowel syndrome, mebeverine was the first choice of medicine.