TY - JOUR T1 - Review: soluble fibre improves overall symptoms and constipation but not abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 172 LP - 172 DO - 10.1136/ebm.9.6.172 VL - 9 IS - 6 A2 - , Y1 - 2004/11/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/9/6/172.abstract N2 - Bijkerk CJ, Muris JW, Knottnerus JA, et al. Systematic review: the role of different types of fibre in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2004;19:245–51.OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science 
 
 Q In patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), does dietary fibre relieve symptoms? Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★☆☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★☆☆ Gastroenterology ★★★★★☆☆ Data sources: Medline (1966–2002) and reference lists. Study selection and assessment: English language randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of dietary fibre in patients with IBS. Exclusion: studies that combined fibre and drug treatment. Outcomes: global IBS symptoms, IBS related abdominal pain, and IBS related constipation. 17 studies (1363 patients) met the selection criteria. 9 studies used soluble fibre, and 8 used insoluble fibre. Study duration ranged from 3–52 weeks (mean 12 wks) in 16 studies; 1 study did not report duration. Studies were combined using a fixed effects model. Fibre improved overall IBS symptoms and IBS related constipation but not IBS related … ER -