Improvement In Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms Research Articles

The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with gut microbiota imbalance playing a significant role. There are increasing numbers of research studies exploring treatment options involving probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), but it is still uncertain which treatment option is superior. The research was conducted on various databases and unpublished trial data (up to February 2023). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened for adult patients with IBS comparing interventions with placebo. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and FMT were assessed for their impact using mean difference and Bayesian network meta-analysis. Out of 6528 articles, 54 were included for probiotics, 7 for prebiotics/synbiotics, and 6 for FMT. Probiotics showed improvement in IBS symptoms, particularly with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains. Prebiotics and synbiotics did not show significant improvement. Network meta-analysis indicated the favorable effects of probiotics (OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59) and FMT (OR = 0.46, 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.64) on IBS, with no serious adverse events reported. In short, probiotics and FMT are effective for managing IBS, with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus being dominant strains. However, the most effective probiotic combination or strain remains unclear, while prebiotics and synbiotics did not show significant improvement.

PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OF THE IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: Abdominal pain and changes in stool frequency are two of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a chronic gastrointestinal illness. As there is no known cure, treatment focuses on symptom management. Patients struggle with psychological and emotional issues that lower their quality of life. Clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of several therapeutic drugs, which may improve GI symptoms and general quality of life. Effective treatment of IBS requires an understanding of the connection between pharmaceutical medicines and the illness. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this systematic review concentrated on full-text English literature published between 2014 and 2024. Editorials and review articles that appeared in the same journal as the submission were not accepted without a DOI. The literature was assembled using a variety of online databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, and SagePub. Result: The study screened about 20.000 publications using reputable sources including Science Direct, SagePub, and PubMed. Seven papers were found to be pertinent for systematic investigation, after which the entire material was examined in more detail. Conclusion: IBS treatment has shown significant improvement in patients with Minesapride, a novel 5-HT4 receptor agonist, and tenapanor. Tenapanor showed significant improvement in symptoms, treatment metrics, and satisfaction, while geraniol improved the inflammatory profile. Melatonin showed improvement in IBS score and GI symptoms, but no significant improvement in frequency of defecations per week. Amitriptyline showed effectiveness over placebo, while co-micronized PEA/PD improved IBS symptoms in children.

Efficacy of Quadruple-coated Probiotics in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Study.

To evaluate the efficacy of quadruple-coated probiotics (gQlab) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), focusing on sex differences and IBS subtypes. One hundred and nine Rome III-diagnosed IBS patients were randomized into either a gQlab or placebo group and received either gQlab or a placebo for 4 weeks. Participants replied to questionnaires assessing compliance, symptoms, and safety. Fecal samples were collected at 0 and 4 weeks to measure the probiotic levels using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and to perform metagenomic analysis via 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. The primary endpoint was the change in the overall IBS symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment. Ninety-two subjects (47 and 45 in the gQlab and placebo groups, respectively) completed the study protocol. At week 4, there was a higher relief of the overall IBS symptoms in the gQlab group (P = 0.005). The overall IBS symptom improvement was statistically significant (P = 0.017) in female patients of the gQlab group compared with the placebo group. Among the IBS subtypes, constipation-predominant IBS patients showed significant relief of the overall IBS symptoms (P = 0.002). At week 4, the fecal microbiome profiles between the 2 groups did not differ, but the qPCR levels of Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium breve were increased in the gQlab group (P < 0.05 by repeated measures ANOVA). gQlab administration can improve the overall IBS symptoms, especially in female and constipation-predominant IBS patients. Further research is necessary to clarify the pathophysiology behind sex-related treatment responses in IBS patients.

Protective effect of Pediococcus pentosaceus Li05 on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in rats.

Pediococcus pentosaceus Li05 (Li05) has demonstrated potential benefits in various intestinal and liver diseases, but its potential and mechanisms in relieving diarrhea have not been understood. The objective of this research was to examine the effects and mechanisms of Li05 in rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) induced by wrap restrain stress (WRS) and 4% acetic acid. The results demonstrated that Li05 effectively alleviated weight loss, visceral sensitivity and diarrhea in rats with IBS-D. It also improved intestinal and systemic inflammation by reducing the levels of chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines (GRO/KC, RANTES, IL-1β, IL-7, and IL-18). The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) signaling pathway is involved in regulating excessive intestinal motility and secretion in IBS-D. Li05 effectively reduced the expression levels of the 5-HT3B receptor (5-HT3BR) (p < 0.01) in the intestine. Additionally, Li05 intervention had a regulatory effect on the gut composition, with a decrease in the abundance of [Ruminococcus] gauvreauii group, Dubosiella, Erysipelatoclostridium and Blautia, and an increase in the abundance of Alloprevotella, Anaerotruncus and Mucispirillum. Furthermore, Li05 induced significant changes in fatty acid and amino acid metabolism in the gut of rats with IBS-D. These findings indicate that Li05 exhibits an effective improvement in IBS-D symptoms by reducing inflammation and modulating gut microbiota and metabolism. Based on the above results, Li05 holds promise as a potential probiotic for managing IBS-D.

Efficacy of the Enteroadsorbent Silicol®gel in Adults with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Subtypes IBS-D or Mixed: Observational Open-Label Study

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gut-brain interaction disorder with limited effective treatment options. Intestinal adsorbents have a high adsorption capacity for gut irritants and may provide nonpharmacological alternatives. Objectives. This post marketing study is aimed at providing up-to-date evidence to support the safety and efficacy in normal use of an established medical device for IBS treatment. Methods. In this open-label, observational study, adults with IBS with predominant diarrhoea (IBS-D) or IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M), according to Rome IV criteria, received 4 weeks of treatment with the enteroadsorbent Silicol®gel, a CE-certified, licenced, medical device containing colloidal silicic acid. Eligible participants were assessed at baseline (visit 1; in-clinic) and after 1 (visit 2; telephone), 2 (visit 3; telephone), and 4 (visit 4; in-clinic) weeks of treatment. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with an overall reduction in the IBS severity scoring system IBS SSS &gt; 50 , representing clinically meaningful improvement. Key secondary endpoints were a reduction in common IBS symptoms and improved quality of life (QoL). Results. Among the 67 treated participants (IBS-D: 37; IBS-M: 30), 65 completed the study. At visit 4, 83.6% (56/67) of participants achieved a reduction in IBS SSS &gt; 50 . The mean (standard deviation [SD]) IBS SSS was 323.4 (55.7) at visit 1 and 160.3 (90.3) at visit 4 (overall change: -163.1 (101.7); 95% confidence interval [CI] 138.3, 187.9, p &lt; 0.001 ). Compared with visit 1, significant reductions in the severity of all key IBS symptoms and overall improvement in QoL were observed at visit 4 ( p &lt; 0.001 ), with improvements observed from visits 1 and 2. Conclusions. In this open-label study of participants with IBS-D and IBS-M, Silicol®gel provided clinically significant improvement in IBS symptoms, demonstrating that enteroadsorbents may be clinically beneficial in this population.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects up to 20% of individuals worldwide, which leads to emotional distress and imposes significant healthcare expenses. Given the multifactorial nature of IBS symptoms and the absence of a cure, this review shed light on the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in alleviating IBS symptoms and improving the quality of life in IBS patients. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases to identify Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) that examined the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions in IBS patients. The inclusion criteria were adults (over 18 years) previously diagnosed with IBS based on the ROME II/III/IV criteria. Results: A total of 213 references were identified in the databases. From these, nine RCTs involving 503 participants were included in this review. The interventions demonstrated improvements in IBS symptoms and quality of life. However, most of the studies were severely affected by bias. Discussion: Most RCTs demonstrated a reduction in symptoms and an improvement in quality of life. However, it is essential to acknowledge certain methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes, lack of blinding, and high risk of bias, including selection and attrition. Conclusion: Despite acknowledged biases and restricted generalizability in the examined studies, it emphasizes the need for rigorous evidence to validate mindfulness effectiveness. Future research must prioritize bias reduction, include diverse populations, and broaden applicability. This review highlights the potential of mindfulness in relieving symptoms and enhancing the quality of life in IBS individuals.

A dietitian-led low-FODMAP diet webinar: a pre-post study evaluating its impact on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Evidence suggests that the low fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols (FODMAP) diet improves irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms when delivered by a dietitian. However, demand for dietetic appointments exceeds supply. Prerecorded webinars are acceptable and cost-effective for delivering first-line IBS dietary advice. This study, using a pre-post design, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-FODMAP diet restriction phase webinar at improving IBS symptoms. Participants with self-reported IBS symptoms were asked to report their IBS symptoms, stool frequency, stool consistency and IBS medication use, before and 8 weeks postwebinar via an online questionnaire. The presence and severity of participants' symptoms and bowel habits were captured using validated tools and a global symptom question. In total 228 participants responded to both pre- and postsurveys. A statistically significant improvement in all symptoms was observed 8 weeks postwebinar (p < 0.05). The proportion of participants rating their overall symptoms as moderate-to-severe reduced from 85.5% at baseline to 34.6% postwebinar (50.9% reduction [p < 0.001]). The proportion of participants reporting normal stool consistency and frequency significantly increased postwebinar (23.2%-39.9% [p < 0.001] and 76.3%-89% [p < 0.001], respectively). Satisfactory relief of symptoms increased from 16.7% to 53.1%, (p < 0.001) 8 weeks postwebinar. These results are comparable with literature on the efficacy of face-to-face delivery of low-FODMAP diet education. Dietitians should consider directing triaged patients with IBS, who have tried first-line dietary advice, to this webinar as an alternative or alongside current practice.

The Impact of a Twelve-Week Moderate Aerobic Exercise Program on Gastrointestinal Symptom Profile and Psychological Well-Being of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: Preliminary Data from a Southern Italy Cohort.

Walking is popular moderate-intensity aerobic exercise that improves mental and gastrointestinal (GI) health. It can relieve symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), e.g., intestinal gas, abdominal distension, and bowel disturbances. This study examined the impact of a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program on the clinical and psychological parameters of IBS patients. In total, 40 IBS patients (11 males and 29 females; mean age 51.9 ± 7.8 years) participated in a 12-week aerobic exercise program. Participants completed questionnaires assessing GI symptoms, psychological profiles, and quality of life (QoL) before and after the intervention. Field tests, anthropometric measurements, and bioimpedance assessments were also conducted. The present findings confirmed a significant improvement in IBS symptoms after the aerobic exercise program. Bloating was the most common symptom and, together with abdominal pain, was significantly reduced after treatment. Psychological and QoL questionnaires indicated decreased anxiety, depression, somatization, and stress levels. Correlations were found between anxiety/depression and the severity of abdominal pain as well as between stress and the severity of abdominal distension. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise positively impacted GI symptoms and psychological well-being, complementing dietary and psychological support as a non-pharmacological therapy for the management of IBS. These findings emphasize the importance of alternative approaches for IBS treatment.

Fecal microbiota transplant delivered via invasive routes in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) results in significant loss of quality of life. Management guidelines do not recommend fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) for IBS based on weak evidence as refined data is lacking. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the pooled clinical outcomes of FMT in IBS, delivered via invasive routes. Multiple databases were searched through January 2023 to identify studies that reported on FMT treatment in IBS by invasive routes. Standard meta-analysis methodology using the random-effects model was used. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2% and 95% predication interval. Five studies were included. As many as 377IBS patients were assessed, of which 238 received FMT and 139 received placebo. One study used nasojejunal tubes, one esophagogastroduodenoscopyand three colonoscopy for FMT delivery. FMT via colonoscopy was performed as a one-time procedure instilled into the cecum. Two studies used 30 g of stool from a single universal donor and one study used 50-80 g of pooled donor feces. The pooled odds ratio of improvement in IBS symptoms with FMT was significantly better as compared to that of placebo OR = 2.9 (95% CI [1.6-5.2, I2 = 62%, p < 0.001]). This was true for studies that exclusively used colonoscopy (OR = 2.1 [1.1-4.2, p = 0.04]). In the FMT arm, 10 patients (10.6%) reported abdomen pain and worsening of symptoms with bloating and six patients (6.3%) reported diarrhea. FMT delivered via invasive routes, especially colonoscopy, demonstrated significant improvement in IBS symptoms. A single FMT consisting of 30 g or more of single universal donor feces instilled into the cecum is the predominant modality.

The Potential Role of Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder in Western populations and therefore a major public health/economic concern. However, despite extensive research, psychological and physiological factors that contribute to the aetiology of IBS remain poorly understood. Consequently, clinical management of IBS is reduced to symptom management through various suboptimal options. Recent evidence has suggested human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) as a potential therapeutic option for IBS. Here, we review literature concerning the role of HMOs in IBS, including data from intervention and in vitro trials. HMO supplementation shows promising results in altering the gut microbiota and improving IBS symptoms, for instance by stimulating bifidobacteria. Further research in adults is required into HMO mechanisms, to confirm the preliminary results available to date and recommendations of HMO use in IBS.

Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Effect of Probiotics on Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Veterans With Gulf War Illness.

Many veterans who served in Operation Desert Storm (August 1990 to March 1991) experienced a complex of symptoms of unknown etiology called Gulf War illness (GWI), which significantly impacts the health and quality of life (QOL) and may have contributed to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We performed a prospective, double-blind placebocontrolled study to determine the efficacy of the multistrain De Simone Formulation probiotic containing 8 strains of bacteria on symptoms of IBS and GWI. Veterans of Operation Desert Storm who had IBS and ≥ 2 nonintestinal symptoms of GWI were included. The primary study endpoint was change in bowel symptom score. The secondary endpoints were mean change in symptoms, QOL, and extra-intestinal and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. A total of 101 Gulf War veterans with IBS and GWI were screened at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The study was completed by 53 veterans; 47 (89%) were male with a mean (SD) age of 55 (8) years. The probiotic did not improve IBS symptoms or other extra-intestinal symptoms common to IBS and GWI. Our study did not demonstrate statistically significant improvement in IBS symptoms or QOL after treatment with the probiotic. We also did not find any improvement in symptoms of GWI or PTSD.

Willingness to pay for medications among patients with Rome IV Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Little is known about willingness to pay for medications among individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We collected demographic, gastrointestinal symptom, psychological health, quality of life, and healthcare usage data from 752 adults with Rome IV-defined IBS. We examined willingness to pay for a hypothetical medication in return for improvement in IBS symptoms using a contingent valuation method, according to these variables. The median amount of money individuals was willing to pay was £1-£50 (IQR £0-£100) per month for a medication with a 100% chance of improving IBS symptoms. Women, compared with men, (92.7% willing to pay "£0," 89.8% "£1-£50," 87.3% "£51-£100," 78.9% "£101-£200," and 78.5% "more than £200," p=0.008) were less likely to be willing to pay for a pill with a 100% chance of improving IBS symptoms whilst those with an annual income of £30,000 or more (12.2% willing to pay "£0," 25.2% "£1-£50," 33.5% "£51-£100," 40.2% "£101-£200," and 35.1% "more than £200," p=0.002) were more likely. We observed a higher willingness to pay among those with lower IBS-related quality of life (p=0.002 for trend). Of all 752 individuals, 92.7%, 74.5%, and 58.0% would be willing to pay for a medication that would give them a 100%, 50%, or 30% chance of improving IBS symptoms, respectively. Patients with IBS are willing to pay for medications which improve IBS symptoms. Future studies should investigate the relative importance of medication pricing, efficacy, and side effect profile among individuals with IBS.

Randomised clinical trial and meta-analysis: mesalazine treatment in irritable bowel syndrome-effects on gastrointestinal symptoms and rectal biomarkers of immune activity.

SummaryBackgroundLow‐grade immune activation in the gut is a potential treatment target in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).AimsTo determine improvement in IBS symptoms after mesalazine treatment, and the utility of measures of immune activity in the rectal mucosaMethodsThis was a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐arm, multicentre trial in subjects with IBS (Rome III criteria), with an eight‐week treatment period of mesalazine 2400 mg or plcebo once‐daily. The primary endpoint was the global assessment of satisfactory relief of IBS symptoms in ≥50% of weeks during intervention. IBS symptoms were also measured with the IBS severity scoring system; immune activity was measured by mucosal patch technology. A post hoc meta‐analysis of randomised placebo‐controlled trials of mesalazine in IBS was added.ResultsOf 181 included patients, 91 received mesalazine and 90 received placebo. The primary endpoint was met by 32 (36%) patients after mesalazine and 27 (30%) after placebo (p = 0.40). There were no differences in response rates related to IBS subtype or post‐infection symptom onset. More reduction of abdominal bloating was noted in the mesalazine group (p = 0.02). The meta‐analysis showed no effect of mesalazine on IBS symptoms. No mucosal patch technology measure could predict response to mesalazine, and found no differences in the effects of intervention on levels of immune markers.ConclusionsMesalazine is ineffective in reducing IBS symptoms. Rectal measures of immune activity by the mucosal patch technology cannot predict a higher chance of response to mesalazine.

Is Personalized Dietary Therapy Effective for Individuals With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Introduction: Adverse reactions to foods and food additives have a critical role in clinical manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Personalized dietary modifications conducted under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner could considerably impact the clinical care and course of the condition. Objective: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of the Lifestyle Eating and Performance (LEAP) program based on the Leukocyte Activation Assay-MRT (LAA-MRT®) results in improving IBS symptoms and quality of life. Methods: The retrospective study included de-identified client records (n = 146) from private group practices seen by registered dietitians. The eligibility criteria were adults aged > 18years old with an established diagnosis of IBS. Results: Participants were 46.7 ± 12.6years old and had a BMI of 26.7 ± 6.1 kg/m2; the majority were female (87.0%) and followed-up by a registered dietitian for 10.1 ± 6.4weeks. There was a significant reduction post-dietary intervention in overall Global Gastrointestinal Symptom Survey Scores (P < 0.001) and improvement in quality of life (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study generates real-world evidence of an alternative treatment option for IBS using a personalized dietary approach. A more precise understanding of the effect of food intake reactions is vital for clinical improvements and enhancing health outcomes in IBS.

Physical activity for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Physical activity for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Turmeric for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Evidence.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent disorder of the gut interaction characterized by abdominal discomfort and pain associated with altered bowel habits in the absence of structural abnormalities. In spite of IBS' high prevalence and disease burden across the globe, no explanations have been given as to its underlying pathophysiology. As for the treatment of IBS, there is no specific medication, and the most beneficial treatment is usually supportive therapy. Recent animal and human studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of curcumin or turmeric in the treatment of IBS. We systematically reviewed all available evidence supporting curcumin and turmeric's therapeutic potential in relieving IBS symptoms in the present study. For this purpose, a database search was performed using curcumin, turmeric, and IBS and all their equivalents as of the search terms in Web of Science, Pub-Med, Scopus, Ovid, Embase, and Google Scholar from1990 up to Feb 2021. The investigation was then limited to clinical trials, and then nine articles were collected for data analysis. The findings of the included literature showed that curcumin and turmeric alone or in combination with other medications could improve the severity of IBS as well as the quality of life among people who suffer from IBS symptoms. Overall, medications containing curcumin and turmeric extract due to these compounds' anti-inflammatory effects may improve IBS symptoms, particularly abdominal pain and life quality.

Randomised clinical trial: individual versus group hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome.

SummaryBackgroundGut‐directed hypnotherapy improves symptoms for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Group hypnotherapy, as well as hypnotherapy administered by nurses, can increase treatment availability, but there are few comparisons between individual and group‐based hypnotherapy.AimWe aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of nurse‐administered hypnotherapy for IBS delivered individually or in groups.MethodsIBS patients were randomised to individual or group hypnotherapy (8 sessions, 12 weeks). The primary endpoint was changes in severity of IBS symptoms. A responder was defined as reduction of IBS severity scoring system (IBS‐SSS) ≥50 points at the end of treatment compared to baseline. The effects on extracolonic and psychological symptoms, and quality of life were also assessed. Symptoms were also followed up 6 months after treatment start.ResultsA total of 119 patients were randomised (61 individual, 58 group hypnotherapy). Patients reported improvements in IBS symptoms (IBS‐SSS) (individual: 332 (273–401) (median, IQR), versus 216 (140–308), (p < 0.0001), group: 315 (239–382), versus 217 (149–314), (p < 0.0001)), with no differences between the groups (p = 0.16). Extracolonic symptoms, psychological symptoms and quality of life also improved, without clear differences between the groups. Sixty‐nine percent of the individual hypnotherapy patients were responders after treatment versus 57% of the group hypnotherapy patients (p = 0.25). Symptom improvements were also seen at follow‐up.ConclusionsNurse‐administered gut‐directed hypnotherapy, delivered individually or in groups, relieves IBS symptoms, improves psychological symptoms and quality of life. Group hypnotherapy can be an efficacious alternative, enabling more patients to benefit from the treatment (ClinicalTrials.gov ID no of study: NCT03432078).

Effects of propolis supplementation on irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and mixed (IBS-M) stool pattern: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

BackgroundRecent evidence indicates that propolis can modulate gastrointestinal (GI) function. This trial aims to assess the efficacy of propolis supplementation on the severity of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms.MethodsThis clinical trial was conducted on 56 subjects with IBS diagnosed by Rome IV criteria. Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive either 900 mg/day of propolis or matching placebo tablets for 6 weeks. The IBS symptom severity scale (IBS‐SSS) was used to evaluate IBS severity in five clinically applicable items.ResultsAfter adjusting anxiety scores, a significant reduction was observed in the overall score of IBS symptoms (−98.27 ± 105.44), the severity of abdominal pain (−24.75 ± 28.66), and the frequency of abdominal pain (−2.24 ± 3.51) with propolis treatment as compared to placebo (p‐value < .05). Patients in the propolis group were 6.22 times more likely to experience improvement in IBS symptoms than those in the placebo group (95% CI: 1.14–33.9; p‐value: .035). There was no significant change in anthropometric measurements and dietary intakes in both groups (p‐value > .05).ConclusionsOur results showed that propolis supplementation might have a beneficial effect on constipation subtype of IBS (IBS‐C) and mixed subtype of IBS (IBS‐M) severity by reducing the severity and frequency of abdominal pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

A Starch- and Sucrose-Reduced Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Leads to Lower Circulating Levels of PAI-1 and Visfatin: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms. Overweight and increased risk of metabolic syndromes/diabetes are observed in IBS, conditions associated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and visfatin. The aim of this study was to measure blood levels of AXIN1, cholecystokinin (CCK), enkephalin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), PAI-1, and visfatin before and after a 4-week intervention with a starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD). A total of 105 IBS patients were randomized to either SSRD (n = 80) or ordinary diet (n = 25). Questionnaires were completed, and blood was analyzed for AXIN1 and hormones. AXIN1 (p = 0.001) and active ghrelin levels (p = 0.025) were lower in IBS than in healthy volunteers at baseline, whereas CCK and enkephalin levels were higher (p < 0.001). In the intervention group, total IBS-symptom severity score (IBS-SSS), specific gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological well-being, and the influence of intestinal symptoms on daily life were improved during the study, and weight decreased (p < 0.001 for all), whereas only constipation (p = 0.045) and bloating (p = 0.001) were improved in the control group. PAI-1 levels tended to be decreased in the intervention group (p = 0.066), with a difference in the decrease between groups (p = 0.022). Visfatin levels were decreased in the intervention group (p = 0.007). There were few correlations between hormonal levels and symptoms. Thus, this diet not only improves IBS symptoms but also seems to have a general health-promoting effect.

Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori infection and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) negatively affect the quality of life. Some previous studies found that H. pylori infection should be positively associated with the risk of...