Gut relief revisited: plecanatide in chronic idiopathic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation - a systematic review and meta-analysis with GRADE assessment

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) are prevalent gastrointestinal disorders with limited effective treatment options. CIC affects approximately 14% of the population worldwide, particularly women, and is marked by difficult defecation, while IBS-C also includes abdominal pain as a core of symptom. Plecanatide, a guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist approved in 2017, has shown promise in improving stool consistency and symptoms; however, its optimal therapeutic dose remains unclear.