Cognitive and Psychiatric Effects of Linaclotide on Patients With Constipation

Irritable Bowel syndrome - constipation predominant (IBS-C) is a chronic and disabling,disorder of the gut that is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort. Approximately 50% of patients with IBS-C will also meet criteria for anxiety or depression. Anti depressant medication is widely used in the treatment of IBS. Linaclotide is a novel medication for IBS that is also effective at relieving pain associated with IBS, which may be in part to signalling between the gut and the brain. However, the impact of Linaclotide on the psychiatric symptoms of anxiety and depression on IBS has not been investigated.