Exploring the Treatment Outcomes and Safety of Elobixibat for Chronic Constipation: A Systematic Review and  Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Maggie Liberty; Taufik Sungkar; Peggy Liberty

Authors

Maggie Liberty Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara
Taufik Sungkar Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
Peggy Liberty Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia

Keywords:

chronic constipation, laxatives, elobixibat

Abstract

Background: Currently available laxatives usage in chronic constipation (CC) has been reported to cause various adverse events, notably melanosis coli and colonic neuromuscular disorder. Elobixibat, an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor, appears to be a promising option for chronic constipation to counteract this challenge. This study aims to evaluate the treatment outcome and safety of elobixibat for chronic constipation. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on 3 search engines: PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing elobixibat 10 mg with placebo in patients with functional chronic constipation were included. The quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias 2.0 tool. Statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.4.1 software. Results: A total of six RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were included in this study. Results demonstrated that elobixibat markedly improved bowel movement with a significant change in spontaneous bowel movement (SBM) (MD 2.91, 95% CI 2.81 to 3.01, p<0.00001) and complete spontaneous bowel movement (MD 0.61, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.83, p<0.00001). The percentage of patients experiencing first SBM in 24 hours was significantly higher in the elobixibat group compared to the placebo group (RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.84, p=0.0002). Stool consistency was improved significantly in the elobixibat group (MD 1.40, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.71, p<0.00001). Moreover, the elobixibat group reported favourable safety with no serious adverse events. Conclusion: Elobixibat shows promising therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of functional chronic constipation. Elobixibat is safe and well-tolerated with minimal adverse events.

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