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Randomised clinical trial: the effects of amitriptyline on drinking capacity and symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia, a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Author(s) -
Braak B.,
Klooker T. K.,
Wouters M. M.,
Lei A.,
van den Wijngaard R. M.,
Boeckxstaens G. E.
Publication year - 2011
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.1365-2036.2011.04775.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amitriptyline , placebo , double blind , clinical trial , physical therapy , anesthesia , alternative medicine , pathology
Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 638–648 Summary Background Functional dyspepsia is one of the most prevalent (15–40%) functional gastrointestinal disorders. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline are often used in these patients, but clinical studies are currently lacking. Aim To evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of treatment with amitriptyline on drinking capacity, symptoms evoked by a standardised drink test (primary endpoint) and clinical symptoms (secondary endpoint). Methods Patients meeting the Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia (FD) were invited to participate in a double blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial and were treated with either amitriptyline (12.5–50 mg) or placebo during 8 weeks. All included patients underwent a nutrient drink test before and after treatment. Drinking capacity and evoked symptoms were recorded. In addition, dyspeptic symptoms were weekly assessed using PAGI SYM (patient assessment of upper gastrointestinal symptom severity index) questionnaire. Results Thirty‐eight patients (amitriptyline n = 18, placebo n = 20; age 41 ± 2 year, 61% F) completed the study. The drinking capacity of liquid meal was not affected by either amitriptyline or placebo treatment. Postprandial symptoms were not significantly different between amitriptyline and placebo. During the entire treatment, total symptom score (0.47 points, P = 0.02) and nausea (0.86 points, P = 0.004) on PAGI SYM were significantly reduced by amitriptyline compared with placebo. Conclusions Amitriptyline did not affect drinking capacity and postprandial symptoms evoked by the drink test in FD patients. However, total clinical symptom score and nausea were reduced during 8 weeks of treatment. Our data suggest that amitriptyline particularly improves nausea in functional dyspepsia, but larger clinical trials are needed to further confirm our findings.