Descending pain modulation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rosemary J Chakiath; Philip J Siddall; John E Kellow; Julia M Hush; Mike P Jones; Anna Marcuzzi; Paul J Wrigley

doi:10.1186/s13643-015-0162-8

Descending pain modulation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Syst Rev. 2015 Dec 10:4:175. doi: 10.1186/s13643-015-0162-8.

Authors

Rosemary J Chakiath^{1

2}, Philip J Siddall^{3

4

5}, John E Kellow^{6

7}, Julia M Hush^{8

9}, Mike P Jones¹⁰, Anna Marcuzzi^{11

12}, Paul J Wrigley^{13

14}

Affiliations

¹ Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. rosemary.chakiath@sydney.edu.au.
² Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia. rosemary.chakiath@sydney.edu.au.
³ Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. psiddall@hammond.com.au.
⁴ Department of Pain Management, HammondCare, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. psiddall@hammond.com.au.
⁵ Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia. psiddall@hammond.com.au.
⁶ Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. john.kellow@sydney.edu.au.
⁷ Department of Gastroenterology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia. john.kellow@sydney.edu.au.
⁸ Discipline of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, Australia. julia.hush@mq.edu.au.
⁹ The Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Australia. julia.hush@mq.edu.au.
¹⁰ Psychology Department, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, Australia. mike.jones@mq.edu.au.
¹¹ Discipline of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Professions, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW, Australia. anna.marcuzzi@students.mq.edu.au.
¹² The Centre for Physical Health, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Australia. anna.marcuzzi@students.mq.edu.au.
¹³ Sydney Medical School Northern, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. paul.wrigley@sydney.edu.au.
¹⁴ Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, Sydney, NSW, Australia. paul.wrigley@sydney.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. While abdominal pain is a dominant symptom of IBS, many sufferers also report widespread hypersensitivity and present with other chronic pain conditions. The presence of widespread hypersensitivity and extra-intestinal pain conditions suggests central nervous dysfunction. While central nervous system dysfunction may involve the spinal cord (central sensitisation) and brain, this review will focus on one brain mechanism, descending pain modulation.

Method/design: We will conduct a comprehensive search for the articles indexed in the databases Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial (CENTRAL) from their inception to August 2015, that report on any aspect of descending pain modulation in irritable bowel syndrome. Two independent reviewers will screen studies for eligibility, assess risk of bias and extract relevant data. Results will be tabulated and, if possible, a meta-analysis will be carried out.

Discussion: The systematic review outlined in this protocol aims to summarise current knowledge regarding descending pain modulation in IBS.

Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42015024284.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Central Nervous System / physiopathology*
Humans
Intestines
Irritable Bowel Syndrome / complications
Irritable Bowel Syndrome / physiopathology*
Pain / etiology*
Research Design