BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex gastrointestinal disorder, whose understanding is relatively uncertain, and the treatment guidance decision still represents a challenge. OBJECTIVE: To identify and critically appraise systematic reviews (SRs) published in the Cochrane Database of SRs (CDSR) on the effects of interventions (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) for the treatment of IBS. METHODS: The search was conducted at the Cochrane Library in May 2020. The methodological quality of the SRs was evaluated by the AMSTAR-2 tool. RESULTS: Eight SRs with moderate to high quality were included, which addressed the treatments: (a) pharmacological: volume agents, antispasmodics, antidepressants and tegaserod; and (b) non-pharmacological: homeopathy, acupuncture, phytotherapy, biofeedback, psychological interventions and hypnotherapy. The results were favorable to antispasmodic drugs and antidepressants regarding the improvement of clinical symptoms. There was no difference between volume agents or tegaserod when compared to placebo. Acupuncture and homeopathy showed a little improvement in symptoms compared to placebo, but the certainty of this evidence was considered low to very low. Psychological interventions seem to improve the overall assessment of the patient and relief symptoms such as abdominal pain. However, there was no long-term follow-up of these patients. The results of the other treatments were considered uncertain due to the high risk of bias. CONCLUSION: Considering the low quality of the studies included in the SRs, pharmacological treatment with antispasmodics and antidepressants seems to be beneficial for patients with IBS. Among non-pharmacological interventions, psychological interventions seem to be beneficial. However, further clinical trials are recommended with greater methodological rigor to prove these findings.

ABSTRACT. Panic disorder is an anxiety condition characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. The comparison between active treatment and placebo is essential to analyze an intervention’s efficacy and safety. It is important to identify and summarize the studies with higher evidence to assist health professionals and public policy managers in clinical decision-making. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and summarize all Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) that compared the efficacy and safety of any drug treatment compared to placebo for panic disorder patients. Methods: SRs published in the Cochrane Library were included without date restriction. All outcomes presented were analyzed. The methodological quality of the SRs was evaluated using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Results: We included three Cochrane SRs of high methodological quality on the effects of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and azapirones for panic disorder. All medications showed benefits in response to treatment, symptom improvement, and reduced panic attacks. Dropouts were lower with tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines and higher with azapirones. The occurrence of adverse events was higher for drug groups. Conclusions: Very low to moderate certainty evidence (GRADE) showed that antidepressants and benzodiazepines seem to improve clinical symptoms in individuals with short-term panic disorder compared to placebo. In addition, the use of azapirones seems to have greater adherence by patients than placebo. However, there is insufficient evidence to support its clinical efficacy.