Premium
Meta‐analysis: phytotherapy of functional dyspepsia with the herbal drug preparation STW 5 (Iberogast)
Author(s) -
Melzer J.,
Rösch W.,
Reichling J.,
Brignoli R.,
Saller R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.02275.x
Subject(s) - medicine , placebo , phytotherapy , adverse effect , randomized controlled trial , traditional medicine , odds ratio , cisapride , drug , clinical trial , alternative medicine , pharmacology , pathology
Summary Background : Despite a long‐standing use of herbal drugs with dyspeptic symptoms, little attention has been paid to their clinical evaluation. Aim : To assess efficacy and safety of the herbal drug preparation STW 5 (containing, e.g. Iberis , peppermint, chamomile) in the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Methods : Research in electronic databases, consultation of experts and of the producer identified STW 5 (Iberogast) as descriptor in six randomized‐controlled trials. The raw data of three placebo‐controlled studies which met the selection criteria, were reanalysed and pooled for meta‐analysis; one reference‐controlled study supported the safety analysis (STW 5: n = 199, control: n = 198). Results : Pooled data showed verum ( n = 138) to be more effective than placebo ( n = 135) with regard to the severity of the most bothersome gastrointestinal symptom ( P ‐value: 0.001, odds ratio: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.11–0.47). A fourth randomized‐controlled trial showed no significant difference between STW 5 and cisapride. As to safety, adverse events were similar with verum and placebo; no serious adverse events occurred. Discussions : From the point of view of efficacy and safety, the herbal medicinal product STW 5 appears to be a valid therapeutic option for patients seeking phytotherapy for their symptoms of functional dyspepsia.