Efficacy of Mirtazapine on Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Anxiety and Depression: A Case Study

J Nippon Med Sch. 2018;85(6):330-333. doi: 10.1272/jnms.JNMS.2018_85-53.

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease in which gastrointestinal symptoms-primarily abdominal pain or discomfort and abnormal bowel movements persist chronically. For patients with IBS, mental illness, especially depression and/or anxiety, leads to a further lower quality of life. The purpose of this case study was to investigate the effects of mirtazapine (MIR) on mental health and IBS symptoms in a case of IBS accompanied by anxiety and a depressive state. This case report suggests that MIR is efficacious for the treatment of IBS with predominant diarrhea accompanied by depression and anxiety.

Keywords: antidepressant; anxiety; depression; diarrhea; gut-brain axis; irritable bowel syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety / drug therapy*
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mirtazapine / therapeutic use*
  • Quality of Life
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Mirtazapine