The effect of fecal microbiota transplantation on IBS related quality of life and fatigue in moderate to severe non-constipated irritable bowel: Secondary endpoints of a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract Background Severity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated to impaired quality of life and fatigue. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) induces significant relief in gastro-intestinal related complaints. The objective was to evaluate the effect of FMT on the secondary endpoints: IBS-related quality of life and fatigue in patients with non-constipated IBS. Method In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-center study, we enrolled patients with non-constipated IBS, defined by the ROME 3 criteria. We randomly assigned participants (2:1) in blocks of six to active or placebo FMT. Responder in fatigue and quality of life were defined as a decrease of 20 points in total Fatigue Impact Scale score, and improvement of 14 points in the IBS-quality of life questionnaire, respectively. In a modified-intention-to-treat population, we excluded participants who did not undergo treatment or who were diagnosed with any other disease by pinch biopsies during the treatment procedure. Findings Between Jan1, and Oct 30, 2015, we recruited 90 participants and randomly assigned them to active treatment (n = 60) or placebo (n = 30). Three participants did not undergo FMT and four were excluded after diagnosis of microscopic colitis, leaving 83 for final modified intention-to-treat analysis (55 in the active treatment group and 28 in the placebo group). Significant improvement in QoL (Odds ratio (OR) 3,801; confidence interval (CI) = 1,309–11,042 p = 0.011) and fatigue (OR = 4,398; CI = 1,175–16,468 and p = 0,020) was found at six months. Absence of other self reported functional disorders and presence of depression at baseline is suggested to predict a lasting effect of FMT in QoL and fatigue, respectively. Interpretation FMT induced significant relief in quality of life and fatigue. Results suggest a lasting effect of FMT in subgroups that should be further investigated in future studies. Funding Helse Nord, Norway and the Norwegian Centre of Rural Medicine, University of Tromso, Norway.