Table 3.
Primary outcome measure (IBS SSS scores) between baseline and 24-month follow-up, and between-group differences (n=233)
| IBS SSS | Baseline mean (95% CI) | Month 3 mean (95% CI) | Month 6 mean (95% CI) | Month 9 mean (95% CI) | Month 12 mean (95% CI) | Month 24 mean (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture group (n=116) | 278.45 (268.54 to 288.35) | 213.71 (198.17 to 229.24) | 202.99 (186.97 to 219.01) | 211.86 (194.97 to 228.76) | 210.89 (194.70 to 227.08) | 215.62 (198.60 to 232.64) |
| Usual care group (n=117) | 240.98 (224.89 to 257.07) | 226.68 (210.20 to 243.16) | 235.96 (218.91 to 253.01) | 233.95 (217.24 to 250.65) | 233.90 (215.48 to 252.31) | |
| Between-group differences in means (acupuncture vs. usual care) | − | −27.27 (−47.69 to −6.86)* | −23.69 (−45.17 to −2.21)* | −24.09 (−45.59 to −2.59)* | −23.06 (−44.52 to −1.59)* | −18.28 (−40.95 to 4.40) |
Data are predicted means and 95% CIs from the unstructured multivariate linear model. At baseline there is only one predicted mean since the corresponding outcome does not depend on treatment.
*p<0.05.
IBS SSS, irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity score.