The primary purpose for this study is to compare clinical treatments for patients with
functional bowel disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, painful constipation)
in women. We also plan to: 1) determine what clinical features (medical or psychological)
determine which patients will improve to these treatments, and 2) understand if there are any
physiological features that relate to improvement in symptoms and response to the treatments.
We will compare a psychological treatment (cognitive-behavioral therapy - CBT) with
education/attention placebo, and an antidepressant drug (desipramine) with a pill placebo.
This is the first large-scale study designed to determine the therapeutic effects of these
methods, and to also determine interactions among physiologic measures, psychologic and
sociodemographic factors, severity of symptoms, and therapeutic improvement including quality
of life.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)