Author:

Keywords:

Tegaserod, Dyspepsia, Dysmotility, Long-term, Safety, Quality of life, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, QUALITY-OF-LIFE, GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS, NEPEAN DYSPEPSIA, CONSTIPATION, PREVALENCE, AGONISTS, SAFETY, INDEX, Adult, Double-Blind Method, Female, Gastrointestinal Agents, Humans, Indoles, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical sciences

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a chronic disorder that adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Published information on its long-term management is minimal and treatment options are limited. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate safety, efficacy and HRQoL with tegaserod 6 mg twice daily over 1 year in women with FD who completed one of two 6-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies. METHODS: About 780 patients received tegaserod 6 mg twice daily in two identical 1-year extension studies. Scheduled assessments included adverse events, the Short-Form Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Dyspepsia (WPAI-Dyspepsia) questionnaire, and patient perceptions of treatment efficacy. RESULTS: Mean tegaserod treatment duration in the two studies was 236 and 222 days. Most adverse events occurred in the first 6 months, were similar to previous reports (commonly diarrhea), and were transient and well tolerated. SF-NDI, WPAI-Dyspepsia scores and perceived symptom relief improved from baseline over the 1-year evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term safety profile of tegaserod in women with FD was consistent with that of short-term treatment and accompanied by improvements in HRQoL, work productivity and symptom relief. These long-term results add to the clinical experience with FD and support the potential value of a 5-HT(4) agonist in the management of FD.