Five RCTs were included (n= more than 220 participants, but the sample numbers were inconsistent). All studies were double blinded. Two studies scored 5 on the Jadad scale, one study scored 3 and two studies scored 2.
SSRIs versus placebo
There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in improvement of abdominal pain (OR 4.68, 95% CI: 0.64, 34.26, four RCTs, n=204), abdominal bloating (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 0.40, 15.17, three RCTs, n=132) or IBS symptoms (OR 1.31, 95% CI: 0.50, 3.39, two RCTs, n=73).
There was statistically significant heterogeneity for the outcomes of improvement in abdominal pain (p<0.0001) and bloating (p=0.0284).