Table 2 Quality assessments in order of the quality significance
From: Antidepressants and inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review
| Â | Kast et al. 2001 | Walker et al. 1996 | Scott et al. 1999 | Eirund 1998 | Kast 1998 | Kane et al. 2003 | Torras et al. 2003 | Ginsburg et al. 2005 | Kast 2003 | Kast et al. 2004 | Kast et al. 2005 | Kast 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Length of treatment | 2 years | 8 weeks | 6 weeks | 10 months | 2 years | No data | No | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Follow-up | Yes, regular follow-up for 2 years | Yes, 2 follow-up, all patients completed | Yes, detailed every day monitoring for 6 weeks. | 1 follow-up after 10 months | Yes, regular follow-up for 2 years | 1 follow-up after 6 weeks | Yes | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Clear description of treatment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Description of participants | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Validated instruments | Yes | Yes, but only for depression and quality of life | Yes (depression), No (CD) | No data | No | Yes | No | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Limitations | - | Disease type not specified, disease activity index not used. | Lack of CD activity index. Focus only on depression and pain, no information about frequency of stools. | No objective activity index used. | No objective activity index used. | Lack of explanation of patients characteristics, Lack of further follow-up, no length of treatment provided. | Lack of evidence that IBD did not exist before the onset of depression, no details about length of treatment, no description of treatment and participants, no information about instruments. | Guideline paper without research. IBD treated as IBS, which may not be appropriate as they are different conditions. | A review study without the research. Theoretical considerations only. | A letter referring to Kane et al. 2003 | A review study without the research. Theoretical considerations only. | A discussion referring to Kast et al. 2001 and Kane et al. 2003 |
Impact of treatment with antidepressants on the IBD activity | Positive effect of bupropion on IBD activity (CD). | Positive effect of paroxetine on IBD activity (not specified). | No effect of amitriptyline on IBD activity (CD). | Positive effect of paroxetine on IBD activity (UC). | Positive effect of phenelzine on IBD activity (CD). | Positive effect of bupropion on IBD activity (CD). | Controversial paroxetine. | All antidepressants recommended in irritable bowel syndrome recommended in IBD. | Bupropion recommended and mirtazapine not recommended. | Bupropion recommended. | Bupropion recommended. | Bupropion recommended. |