Efficacy of antidepressants in irritable bowel syndrome: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis controlling for depression

Abstract

Introduction Antidepressants may be effective for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, but some experts are sceptical, and effect of co-existent depression has not been controlled for in previous meta-analyses. We updated a previous systematic review to estimate their efficacy in the treatment of IBS and examine this issue.