Dynamics of clinical manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome against the background of cytoprotector rebamipide intake: intermediate results of the SOKRAT program

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the detection rate of which in the general population is 9-23%, in the Russian Federation 8.3-19%. IBS is the cause of chronic pain which accompanies patients throughout their life, significantly reducing its quality and disrupting social adaptation. Insufficient effectiveness of modern methods of treating IBS dictates the need to search for new drugs, the pharmacological action of which is aimed at the pathogenetic mechanisms of IBS formation. Currently, more and more attention in the development of IBS is paid to the syndrome of increased epithelial permeability, in connection with which it is promising to include the universal cytoprotector rebamipide in the complex therapy of patients with IBS.
 AIM: To evaluate the effect of rebamipide on the course of irritable bowel syndrome.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article presents the intermediate results of the SOCRAT study, which has assessed the effect of rebamipide on the course of IBS. For this purpose, 40 patients with IBS have been examined and subsequently randomized into two groups comparable in gender, age and type of IBS. The patients of the main group (n = 21) received cytoprotector rebamipide in addition to standard antispasmodic therapy, and the patients of the comparison group (n = 19) received cytoprotector bismuth tripotassium dicitrate. Patients gastroenterological complaints have been assessed before and after treatment using GSRS, 7x7, IBS-QOL questionnaires and a visual analogue scale.
 RESULTS: According to the study findings, the well-being of the patients has improved in the both study groups. However, more significant positive dynamics has been observed in the main group, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the frequency and severity of abdominal pain and symptoms caused by constipation, which, in turn, led to an increase in the quality of life of the studied patients.
 CONCLUSIONS: Thus, protective therapy of epithelium with rebamipide has not only a symptom-reducing effect, but also a positive effect on the course of IBS.