A recent article published in Gastroenterology & Hepatology was based on a review of a clinical symposium conducted by the American College of Gastroenterology on management of functional bowel disorders. This review was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of therapies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) compared to placebo or no treatment, in randomized controlled trials.

The article discussed on the evidence-based approaches to managing pediatric constipation-predominant IBS and CIC, which include polyethylene glycol. It was stated that with growing evidence base for IBS and CIC therapies, it has become increasingly important for clinicians to assess the quality of evidence on therapeutic approaches and to understand their application, in order to provide optimal care to individual patients.