Key clinical point: Both probiotic and drug interventions decreased the persistence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and abdominal pain scores compared with placebo in patients with IBS.

Major finding: Compared with placebo, both probiotic and drug interventions improved the persistence of IBS symptoms (relative risk [RR] 0.68; 95% CI 0.51-0.92, and RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.81-0.92, respectively) and abdominal pain scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.35; 95% CI −0.56 to −0.14, and SMD −0.10; 95% CI −0.20 to 0.00, respectively).

Study details Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials including adults with IBS.

Disclosures: This study did not receive financial support. The authors declared being scientific advisory board members or serving as consultants for various sources.

Source: van der Geest AM et al. Comparing probiotic and drug interventions in irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Benef Microbes. 2022 (Jul 18). Doi: 10.3920/BM2021.0123

Key clinical point: Both probiotic and drug interventions decreased the persistence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and abdominal pain scores compared with placebo in patients with IBS.

Major finding: Compared with placebo, both probiotic and drug interventions improved the persistence of IBS symptoms (relative risk [RR] 0.68; 95% CI 0.51-0.92, and RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.81-0.92, respectively) and abdominal pain scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.35; 95% CI −0.56 to −0.14, and SMD −0.10; 95% CI −0.20 to 0.00, respectively).

Study details Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials including adults with IBS.

Disclosures: This study did not receive financial support. The authors declared being scientific advisory board members or serving as consultants for various sources.

Source: van der Geest AM et al. Comparing probiotic and drug interventions in irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Benef Microbes. 2022 (Jul 18). Doi: 10.3920/BM2021.0123

Key clinical point: Both probiotic and drug interventions decreased the persistence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and abdominal pain scores compared with placebo in patients with IBS.

Major finding: Compared with placebo, both probiotic and drug interventions improved the persistence of IBS symptoms (relative risk [RR] 0.68; 95% CI 0.51-0.92, and RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.81-0.92, respectively) and abdominal pain scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.35; 95% CI −0.56 to −0.14, and SMD −0.10; 95% CI −0.20 to 0.00, respectively).

Study details Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials including adults with IBS.

Disclosures: This study did not receive financial support. The authors declared being scientific advisory board members or serving as consultants for various sources.

Source: van der Geest AM et al. Comparing probiotic and drug interventions in irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Benef Microbes. 2022 (Jul 18). Doi: 10.3920/BM2021.0123

Key clinical point: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) reduced disease severity, improved microbiome α-diversity, and demonstrated a favorable safety profile in patients with refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Major finding: The IBS severity index improved significantly at 12 weeks after FMT (P  =  .001), with 58.8% of patients being responders (≥50-point decrease in IBS severity index). Responders showed a significant increase in the median α-diversity index (P  =  .017), increased abundance of Neisseria and Akkermansia bacteria, and decreased abundance of Desulfovibrio and Delftia bacteria. No severe adverse events were reported.

Study details Findings are from a prospective study including 17 patients with refractory IBS who received FMT under colonoscopy.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Hamazaki M et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center prospective study in Japan. BMC Gastroenterol. 2022;22:342 (Jul 14). Doi: 10.1186/s12876-022-02408-5

Key clinical point: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) reduced disease severity, improved microbiome α-diversity, and demonstrated a favorable safety profile in patients with refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Major finding: The IBS severity index improved significantly at 12 weeks after FMT (P  =  .001), with 58.8% of patients being responders (≥50-point decrease in IBS severity index). Responders showed a significant increase in the median α-diversity index (P  =  .017), increased abundance of Neisseria and Akkermansia bacteria, and decreased abundance of Desulfovibrio and Delftia bacteria. No severe adverse events were reported.

Study details Findings are from a prospective study including 17 patients with refractory IBS who received FMT under colonoscopy.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Hamazaki M et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center prospective study in Japan. BMC Gastroenterol. 2022;22:342 (Jul 14). Doi: 10.1186/s12876-022-02408-5

Key clinical point: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) reduced disease severity, improved microbiome α-diversity, and demonstrated a favorable safety profile in patients with refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Major finding: The IBS severity index improved significantly at 12 weeks after FMT (P  =  .001), with 58.8% of patients being responders (≥50-point decrease in IBS severity index). Responders showed a significant increase in the median α-diversity index (P  =  .017), increased abundance of Neisseria and Akkermansia bacteria, and decreased abundance of Desulfovibrio and Delftia bacteria. No severe adverse events were reported.

Study details Findings are from a prospective study including 17 patients with refractory IBS who received FMT under colonoscopy.

Disclosures: This study was partly supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Hamazaki M et al. Fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center prospective study in Japan. BMC Gastroenterol. 2022;22:342 (Jul 14). Doi: 10.1186/s12876-022-02408-5

Key clinical point: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report a substantial impact of IBS on their abilities to work and perform daily activities.

Major finding: Overall, 10.5% of patients reported being unemployed, partly because of their condition, with the median level of absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment among employed patients being 0.0% (interquartile range [IQR] 0.0%-2.9%), 35.0% (IQR, 20.0%-60.0%), and 30.0% (IQR, 10.0%-60.0%), respectively. Moreover, 91.0% and 56.3% of patients reported that IBS symptoms interfered with their daily and social leisure activities, respectively.

Study details: This was a questionnaire-based study including 752 patients with Rome IV-defined IBS.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Tillotts Pharma UK Ltd. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Goodoory VC et al. Impact of Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome on work and activities of daily living .Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022 (Jul 6). Doi: 10.1111/apt.17132

Key clinical point: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report a substantial impact of IBS on their abilities to work and perform daily activities.

Major finding: Overall, 10.5% of patients reported being unemployed, partly because of their condition, with the median level of absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment among employed patients being 0.0% (interquartile range [IQR] 0.0%-2.9%), 35.0% (IQR, 20.0%-60.0%), and 30.0% (IQR, 10.0%-60.0%), respectively. Moreover, 91.0% and 56.3% of patients reported that IBS symptoms interfered with their daily and social leisure activities, respectively.

Study details: This was a questionnaire-based study including 752 patients with Rome IV-defined IBS.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Tillotts Pharma UK Ltd. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Goodoory VC et al. Impact of Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome on work and activities of daily living .Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022 (Jul 6). Doi: 10.1111/apt.17132

Key clinical point: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report a substantial impact of IBS on their abilities to work and perform daily activities.

Major finding: Overall, 10.5% of patients reported being unemployed, partly because of their condition, with the median level of absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work impairment among employed patients being 0.0% (interquartile range [IQR] 0.0%-2.9%), 35.0% (IQR, 20.0%-60.0%), and 30.0% (IQR, 10.0%-60.0%), respectively. Moreover, 91.0% and 56.3% of patients reported that IBS symptoms interfered with their daily and social leisure activities, respectively.

Study details: This was a questionnaire-based study including 752 patients with Rome IV-defined IBS.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Tillotts Pharma UK Ltd. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Goodoory VC et al. Impact of Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome on work and activities of daily living .Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2022 (Jul 6). Doi: 10.1111/apt.17132

Key clinical point: In patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), short-term treatment with probiotics vs placebo led to a significant improvement in stool consistency and increased the number of fecal bacteria without increasing adverse events.

Major finding: Probiotics vs placebo significantly improved stool consistency (mean difference [MD] 0.71; P < .05) in 8 weeks and increased the number of fecal Bifidobacterium (MD 1.76; P < .05) and Lactobacillus (MD 1.69; P < .05) in 4 weeks, although the effects were not significant with longer treatment duration. Adverse effects were not significantly different between the probiotic and placebo groups.

Study details Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials including 757 patients with IBS-C.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Gansu Special Project of Soft Science, and others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Shang X et al. Effectiveness and safety of probiotics for patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2482 (Jun 15). Doi: 10.3390/nu14122482

Key clinical point: In patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), short-term treatment with probiotics vs placebo led to a significant improvement in stool consistency and increased the number of fecal bacteria without increasing adverse events.

Major finding: Probiotics vs placebo significantly improved stool consistency (mean difference [MD] 0.71; P < .05) in 8 weeks and increased the number of fecal Bifidobacterium (MD 1.76; P < .05) and Lactobacillus (MD 1.69; P < .05) in 4 weeks, although the effects were not significant with longer treatment duration. Adverse effects were not significantly different between the probiotic and placebo groups.

Study details Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials including 757 patients with IBS-C.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Gansu Special Project of Soft Science, and others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Shang X et al. Effectiveness and safety of probiotics for patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2482 (Jun 15). Doi: 10.3390/nu14122482

Key clinical point: In patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), short-term treatment with probiotics vs placebo led to a significant improvement in stool consistency and increased the number of fecal bacteria without increasing adverse events.

Major finding: Probiotics vs placebo significantly improved stool consistency (mean difference [MD] 0.71; P < .05) in 8 weeks and increased the number of fecal Bifidobacterium (MD 1.76; P < .05) and Lactobacillus (MD 1.69; P < .05) in 4 weeks, although the effects were not significant with longer treatment duration. Adverse effects were not significantly different between the probiotic and placebo groups.

Study details Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials including 757 patients with IBS-C.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Gansu Special Project of Soft Science, and others. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Shang X et al. Effectiveness and safety of probiotics for patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized controlled trials. Nutrients. 2022;14(12):2482 (Jun 15). Doi: 10.3390/nu14122482

Key clinical point: Food supplements containing standardized menthol, limonene, and gingerol content significantly improved the efficacy of standard treatment in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or IBS/functional dyspepsia (FD) without causing any obvious side effects.

Major finding: At visit 1 (before treatment), the median 7×7 questionnaire score of all patients indicated moderate illness. However, at visit 3, the score range indicated borderline illness in patients who received the food supplement and mild illness in those who received placebo (mean difference, −2.68; P  =  .009). No side effects were reported.

Study details Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 56 patients with IBS or IBS/FD who were randomly assigned to receive food supplements or placebo in addition to the standard treatment regimen for 30 days.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ivashkin VT et al. Efficacy and safety of a food supplement with standardized menthol, limonene, and gingerol content in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. PloS One. 2022;17(6):e0263880 (Jun 15). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263880

Key clinical point: Food supplements containing standardized menthol, limonene, and gingerol content significantly improved the efficacy of standard treatment in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or IBS/functional dyspepsia (FD) without causing any obvious side effects.

Major finding: At visit 1 (before treatment), the median 7×7 questionnaire score of all patients indicated moderate illness. However, at visit 3, the score range indicated borderline illness in patients who received the food supplement and mild illness in those who received placebo (mean difference, −2.68; P  =  .009). No side effects were reported.

Study details Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 56 patients with IBS or IBS/FD who were randomly assigned to receive food supplements or placebo in addition to the standard treatment regimen for 30 days.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ivashkin VT et al. Efficacy and safety of a food supplement with standardized menthol, limonene, and gingerol content in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. PloS One. 2022;17(6):e0263880 (Jun 15). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263880

Key clinical point: Food supplements containing standardized menthol, limonene, and gingerol content significantly improved the efficacy of standard treatment in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or IBS/functional dyspepsia (FD) without causing any obvious side effects.

Major finding: At visit 1 (before treatment), the median 7×7 questionnaire score of all patients indicated moderate illness. However, at visit 3, the score range indicated borderline illness in patients who received the food supplement and mild illness in those who received placebo (mean difference, −2.68; P  =  .009). No side effects were reported.

Study details Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 56 patients with IBS or IBS/FD who were randomly assigned to receive food supplements or placebo in addition to the standard treatment regimen for 30 days.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Ivashkin VT et al. Efficacy and safety of a food supplement with standardized menthol, limonene, and gingerol content in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. PloS One. 2022;17(6):e0263880 (Jun 15). Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263880

Key clinical point: Patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) vs healthy controls had lower serum zinc levels and poor scores for the quality of life (QoL) and physical and psychological health, and higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress.

Major finding: Patients with IBS-D vs healthy controls reported significantly lower serum zinc levels (P  =  .001); mean scores for overall QoL and general health (53.48 vs 72.74; P ≤ .001), physical health (59.59 vs 71.30; P ≤ .001), and psychological health (55.80 vs 65.22; P ≤ .001); and higher mean scores for depression (P  =  .014), anxiety (P  =  .005), and stress (P  =  .001). Higher dietary zinc intake improved body image in patients with IBS-D (r 0.266; P  =  .044) without significantly influencing other parameters.

Study details: This was a case-control study including patients newly diagnosed with IBS-D (n = 61) and matched healthy controls (n = 61).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Vice-Chancellor for Research of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rezazadegan M et al. Sci Rep. 2022 Jun 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15080-2.

Key clinical point: Patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) vs healthy controls had lower serum zinc levels and poor scores for the quality of life (QoL) and physical and psychological health, and higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress.

Major finding: Patients with IBS-D vs healthy controls reported significantly lower serum zinc levels (P  =  .001); mean scores for overall QoL and general health (53.48 vs 72.74; P ≤ .001), physical health (59.59 vs 71.30; P ≤ .001), and psychological health (55.80 vs 65.22; P ≤ .001); and higher mean scores for depression (P  =  .014), anxiety (P  =  .005), and stress (P  =  .001). Higher dietary zinc intake improved body image in patients with IBS-D (r 0.266; P  =  .044) without significantly influencing other parameters.

Study details: This was a case-control study including patients newly diagnosed with IBS-D (n = 61) and matched healthy controls (n = 61).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Vice-Chancellor for Research of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rezazadegan M et al. Sci Rep. 2022 Jun 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15080-2.

Key clinical point: Patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) vs healthy controls had lower serum zinc levels and poor scores for the quality of life (QoL) and physical and psychological health, and higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress.

Major finding: Patients with IBS-D vs healthy controls reported significantly lower serum zinc levels (P  =  .001); mean scores for overall QoL and general health (53.48 vs 72.74; P ≤ .001), physical health (59.59 vs 71.30; P ≤ .001), and psychological health (55.80 vs 65.22; P ≤ .001); and higher mean scores for depression (P  =  .014), anxiety (P  =  .005), and stress (P  =  .001). Higher dietary zinc intake improved body image in patients with IBS-D (r 0.266; P  =  .044) without significantly influencing other parameters.

Study details: This was a case-control study including patients newly diagnosed with IBS-D (n = 61) and matched healthy controls (n = 61).

Disclosures: This study was supported by the Vice-Chancellor for Research of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Rezazadegan M et al. Sci Rep. 2022 Jun 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-15080-2.

Key clinical point: Compared with the control diet, a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) reduced the abundance of Bifidobacteria in the colonic microbiome of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with no significant impact on other microbiome metrics.

Major finding: Overall, a low FODMAP diet had no clear impact on the microbiome biodiversity, total fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration (P  =  .20), and fecal pH (P  =  .14) compared with the control diet, but it was consistently associated with a reduced abundance of Bifidobacteria in the colonic microbiome.

Study details: Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials and 1 secondary publication including 403 patients with IBS who received a low FODMAP or control diet.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. D So declared working in a department benefitting from the sales of a digital application and booklets on a low FODMAP diet.

Source: So D et al. Effects of a low FODMAP diet on the colonic microbiome in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 (Jun 21). Doi:  10.1093/ajcn/nqac176

Key clinical point: Compared with the control diet, a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) reduced the abundance of Bifidobacteria in the colonic microbiome of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with no significant impact on other microbiome metrics.

Major finding: Overall, a low FODMAP diet had no clear impact on the microbiome biodiversity, total fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration (P  =  .20), and fecal pH (P  =  .14) compared with the control diet, but it was consistently associated with a reduced abundance of Bifidobacteria in the colonic microbiome.

Study details: Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials and 1 secondary publication including 403 patients with IBS who received a low FODMAP or control diet.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. D So declared working in a department benefitting from the sales of a digital application and booklets on a low FODMAP diet.

Source: So D et al. Effects of a low FODMAP diet on the colonic microbiome in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 (Jun 21). Doi:  10.1093/ajcn/nqac176

Key clinical point: Compared with the control diet, a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) reduced the abundance of Bifidobacteria in the colonic microbiome of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with no significant impact on other microbiome metrics.

Major finding: Overall, a low FODMAP diet had no clear impact on the microbiome biodiversity, total fecal short-chain fatty acid concentration (P  =  .20), and fecal pH (P  =  .14) compared with the control diet, but it was consistently associated with a reduced abundance of Bifidobacteria in the colonic microbiome.

Study details: Findings are from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials and 1 secondary publication including 403 patients with IBS who received a low FODMAP or control diet.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. D So declared working in a department benefitting from the sales of a digital application and booklets on a low FODMAP diet.

Source: So D et al. Effects of a low FODMAP diet on the colonic microbiome in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 (Jun 21). Doi:  10.1093/ajcn/nqac176

Key clinical point: In patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), enterosgel vs placebo significantly improved abdominal pain and stool consistency, along with improving global symptoms and demonstrating a favorable safety profile.

Major finding: Significantly higher proportion of patients receiving enterosgel vs placebo showed response for the composite of abdominal pain and stool consistency during at least 4 weeks in the 8-week treatment period (37.4% vs 24.3%; adjusted odds ratio 1.95; P  =  .0020), with significant benefits for bloating (P  =  .0021), urgency (P < .0001), and loperamide use (P  =  .0049), and adequate relief from symptoms (P < .0001) in weeks 1-8. There were no enterosgel-related serious adverse events.

Study details Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 431 patients with IBS-D who received enterosgel or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Bioline Products s.r.o. E Markaryan declared being the CEO of Enteromed, the study sponsor. CA Howell declared being an employee of Enteromed. The other authors declared being subcontracted by the sponsor or serving as chief investigator or trial steering committee members.

Source: Howell CA et al. Double-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D). Gut. 2022 (Jun 27). Doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327293

Key clinical point: In patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), enterosgel vs placebo significantly improved abdominal pain and stool consistency, along with improving global symptoms and demonstrating a favorable safety profile.

Major finding: Significantly higher proportion of patients receiving enterosgel vs placebo showed response for the composite of abdominal pain and stool consistency during at least 4 weeks in the 8-week treatment period (37.4% vs 24.3%; adjusted odds ratio 1.95; P  =  .0020), with significant benefits for bloating (P  =  .0021), urgency (P < .0001), and loperamide use (P  =  .0049), and adequate relief from symptoms (P < .0001) in weeks 1-8. There were no enterosgel-related serious adverse events.

Study details Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 431 patients with IBS-D who received enterosgel or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Bioline Products s.r.o. E Markaryan declared being the CEO of Enteromed, the study sponsor. CA Howell declared being an employee of Enteromed. The other authors declared being subcontracted by the sponsor or serving as chief investigator or trial steering committee members.

Source: Howell CA et al. Double-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D). Gut. 2022 (Jun 27). Doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327293

Key clinical point: In patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), enterosgel vs placebo significantly improved abdominal pain and stool consistency, along with improving global symptoms and demonstrating a favorable safety profile.

Major finding: Significantly higher proportion of patients receiving enterosgel vs placebo showed response for the composite of abdominal pain and stool consistency during at least 4 weeks in the 8-week treatment period (37.4% vs 24.3%; adjusted odds ratio 1.95; P  =  .0020), with significant benefits for bloating (P  =  .0021), urgency (P < .0001), and loperamide use (P  =  .0049), and adequate relief from symptoms (P < .0001) in weeks 1-8. There were no enterosgel-related serious adverse events.

Study details Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 431 patients with IBS-D who received enterosgel or placebo.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Bioline Products s.r.o. E Markaryan declared being the CEO of Enteromed, the study sponsor. CA Howell declared being an employee of Enteromed. The other authors declared being subcontracted by the sponsor or serving as chief investigator or trial steering committee members.

Source: Howell CA et al. Double-blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of enterosgel (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) for the treatment of IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D). Gut. 2022 (Jun 27). Doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327293

Key clinical point: Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) at the ST36 and PC6 acupuncture points improved symptoms of constipation and abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

Major finding: The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week during the fourth week of treatment was significantly higher in the TEA vs sham-TEA group (3.5 ± 1.6 vs 2.3 ± 0.6; P  =  .002), with 44.0% vs 4.2% of patients reporting ≥3 CSBM/week (P  =  .001). TEA led to significant improvements in visual analog scale pain score (P  =  .002) and IBS-Severity Scoring System score (P  =  .025).

Study details: Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 52 patients with IBS-C who were randomly assigned to receive either TEA or sham-TEA daily for 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Huang Z et al. Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation improves irritable bowel syndrome with constipation by accelerating colon transit and reducing rectal sensation via autonomic mechanisms. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 (Jun 17). Doi:  10.14309/ajg.0000000000001882

Key clinical point: Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) at the ST36 and PC6 acupuncture points improved symptoms of constipation and abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

Major finding: The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week during the fourth week of treatment was significantly higher in the TEA vs sham-TEA group (3.5 ± 1.6 vs 2.3 ± 0.6; P  =  .002), with 44.0% vs 4.2% of patients reporting ≥3 CSBM/week (P  =  .001). TEA led to significant improvements in visual analog scale pain score (P  =  .002) and IBS-Severity Scoring System score (P  =  .025).

Study details: Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 52 patients with IBS-C who were randomly assigned to receive either TEA or sham-TEA daily for 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Huang Z et al. Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation improves irritable bowel syndrome with constipation by accelerating colon transit and reducing rectal sensation via autonomic mechanisms. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 (Jun 17). Doi:  10.14309/ajg.0000000000001882

Key clinical point: Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation (TEA) at the ST36 and PC6 acupuncture points improved symptoms of constipation and abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

Major finding: The number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week during the fourth week of treatment was significantly higher in the TEA vs sham-TEA group (3.5 ± 1.6 vs 2.3 ± 0.6; P  =  .002), with 44.0% vs 4.2% of patients reporting ≥3 CSBM/week (P  =  .001). TEA led to significant improvements in visual analog scale pain score (P  =  .002) and IBS-Severity Scoring System score (P  =  .025).

Study details: Findings are from a randomized controlled trial including 52 patients with IBS-C who were randomly assigned to receive either TEA or sham-TEA daily for 4 weeks.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Project. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Huang Z et al. Transcutaneous electrical acustimulation improves irritable bowel syndrome with constipation by accelerating colon transit and reducing rectal sensation via autonomic mechanisms. Am J Gastroenterol. 2022 (Jun 17). Doi:  10.14309/ajg.0000000000001882

Key clinical point: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was safe and effective with effects sustained for at least 3 years after transplantation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Major finding: Patients who received 30 or 60 g feces vs placebo showed a significantly higher response rate and significantly lower IBS-Severity Scoring System scores at 2 and 3 years after FMT (all P ≤ .05). No adverse event other than mild intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation within the first 2 days after FMT were reported.

Study details: Findings are from a 3-year follow-up study of 125 patients with IBS who underwent FMT and were randomly assigned to receive placebo (own feces) or donor feces (30 or 60 g); feces were administered to the duodenum.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Helse Fonna. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: El-Salhy M et al. Efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation for patients with irritable bowel syndrome at three years after transplantation. Gastroenterology. 2022 (Jun 13). Doi:  10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.020

Key clinical point: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was safe and effective with effects sustained for at least 3 years after transplantation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Major finding: Patients who received 30 or 60 g feces vs placebo showed a significantly higher response rate and significantly lower IBS-Severity Scoring System scores at 2 and 3 years after FMT (all P ≤ .05). No adverse event other than mild intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation within the first 2 days after FMT were reported.

Study details: Findings are from a 3-year follow-up study of 125 patients with IBS who underwent FMT and were randomly assigned to receive placebo (own feces) or donor feces (30 or 60 g); feces were administered to the duodenum.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Helse Fonna. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: El-Salhy M et al. Efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation for patients with irritable bowel syndrome at three years after transplantation. Gastroenterology. 2022 (Jun 13). Doi:  10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.020

Key clinical point: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was safe and effective with effects sustained for at least 3 years after transplantation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Major finding: Patients who received 30 or 60 g feces vs placebo showed a significantly higher response rate and significantly lower IBS-Severity Scoring System scores at 2 and 3 years after FMT (all P ≤ .05). No adverse event other than mild intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation within the first 2 days after FMT were reported.

Study details: Findings are from a 3-year follow-up study of 125 patients with IBS who underwent FMT and were randomly assigned to receive placebo (own feces) or donor feces (30 or 60 g); feces were administered to the duodenum.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Helse Fonna. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: El-Salhy M et al. Efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation for patients with irritable bowel syndrome at three years after transplantation. Gastroenterology. 2022 (Jun 13). Doi:  10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.020