Date of Award

2016

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not peppermint oil reduces the symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trials were used in this review. The articles were found on PubMed, and selected based on outcomes measured and relevance to the objective.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured were based on Quality of life and Reduction in Symptoms. Quality of life was measured using the Persian translation of the SF-6 form for assessment of quality of life before and after treatment. Reduction of Symptoms was measured using a mean symptom scores before and after the treatment.

RESULTS: The Merat, et al. study found a statistically significant improvement in reduction of symptoms including abdominal pain and discomfort, and show a statistically significant improvement in quality of life. Cappello, et al. also found a statistically significant reduction in symptoms including abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Alam, et al. also found a statistically significant reduction in symptoms especially abdominal pain, but did not see a statistically significant improvement in quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on these three randomized, double-blind, and placebo controlled clinical trials the efficacy of peppermint oil to treat irritable bowel syndrome is fairly conclusive as an effective treatment to reduce symptoms. The populations studied in these studies were not large and lost a lot of patients to follow-up, which are factors that should be addressed in future studies

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