Effect of Prebiotics and Synbiotics Carried by Food over Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: A Systematic Review

Sofia Steinmetz De Souza,Milena Dutra Pierezan,Juliano De Dea Lindner,Guilherme De Souza Hassemer,Clara Mariana Gonçalves Lima,Silvani Verruck,Marília Miotto

doi:10.3390/dairy3010012

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects 11.2% of the world’s population. The management of gut microbiota using probiotic and synbiotic agents might be a valid alternative to assist in the treatment of IBS. The focus of this study was to evaluate the effects of prebiotic and synbiotic compounds carried by different foods on major symptoms of IBS through a systematic literature review. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and LILACS were accessed during July 2021. The studies included in this review were the ones that tested volunteers older than 16 years of age and were conducted using a randomized, controlled clinical trial. The risk of bias was assessed by using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2). Furthermore, the data found were qualitatively evaluated due to the studies’ differences. Two papers were able to fit the criteria, with a total sample size of 280 participants. No datum was found regarding the use of prebiotics in the treatment of IBS. Synbiotic agents, however, had a positive effect on gastrointestinal symptoms and the participants’ overall bowel satisfaction; however, it was not possible to reach a consensus on which effects. Further studies regarding the use of synbiotics and prebiotics must be carried out to determine which effects are the most significant in the treatment of IBS.

Highlights

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects 11.2% of the world’s population [1]
Studies had to fit the inclusion criterion, that were: (a) randomized and controlled clinical trials using food carried prebiotics or synbiotics in the treatment of major symptoms of IBS; (b) patients were diagnosed with IBS via Rome Criteria (I, II, III, or IV); (c) all participants must be over 16 years of age
The use of prebiotics and synbiotics to treat irritable bowel syndrome has become the target for many different studies, the literature still has a small number of systematic reviews on the subject [10,16,17] and, so far, no study has been developed with the primary focus of evaluating the effect of prebiotic and synbiotic foods on IBS

Summary

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects 11.2% of the world’s population [1]. It is characterized, according to The Rome Foundation, by recurrent abdominal pain for the past three months, associated with at least one of the following symptoms: changes in defecation, changes in stool frequency, or changes in stool’s form/appearance [2]. IBS-C (IBS with predominant constipation) occurs when more than 25% of bowel movements are classified as type 1 or 2 and less than 25% with type 6 or 7, according to the Bristol Stool Scale.

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