WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2007) -- Three new therapy options, including two novel medications, showed promise in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to research presented today at Digestive Disease Week 2007 (DDW). Participants in the studies who received one of the two investigational medications experienced significant relief in constipation, while a third study demonstrated the benefits of hypnotherapy in treating bowel and abdominal complications in children. DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery.

"With few successful treatment options currently available for IBS sufferers, these studies represent promising progress in the treatment of this and other bowel disorders," said Mara Abreu, M.D., Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Associate Professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Lubiprostone is a novel therapy indicated for treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults. Two twelve-week, independent studies showed patients who received lubiprostone were nearly twice as likely as those who did not receive the treatment to report moderate or significant relief of IBS symptoms. Endpoints included abdominal discomfort, stool consistency, straining and others. Lubiprostone was also well-tolerated, with only one percent of patients experiencing serious adverse events and only 22 percent of patients experiencing related adverse events, compared with 21 percent of patients on placebo.

The studies included more than 1,100 patients, most of whom were female (91.6%) and aged 18-65 years (91.7%). Participants were given either lubip
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Contact: Aimee Frank
AFrank@gastro.org
301-941-2620
American Gastroenterological Association
21-May-2007