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Comparing the Effectiveness of 2 Diets for Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Comparing the Effectiveness of Two Diets to Control the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea (IBS-D): a Randomized, Controlled Trial and Gastrointestinal Microbiome Analysis

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01624610
Enrollment
100
Registered
2012-06-20
Start date
2012-07-31
Completion date
2015-11-30
Last updated
2016-03-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Keywords

Irritable bowel syndrome, Diarrhea, abdominal pain, diet, nutrition

Brief summary

The purpose of the study is to find out if the diets often recommended for patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) provide adequate relief. The study will compare two diets that are used to treat IBS-D symptoms to see which one is more effective. The study will also measure the effect of these diets on the bowel flora, which are the good bacteria that inhabit the bowels in healthy people.

Detailed description

As irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms are often refractory to conventional therapies, there has been increasing interest in the role of diet in IBS. Certain foods may exacerbate symptoms of IBS. Thus, restricted diets have recently gained attention for the treatment IBS. The mechanism by which symptoms are improved is unclear, but these diets may improve symptoms by exerting changes on the GI microbiome. Aims: Primary Objective: -Compare the proportion of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) reporting adequate relief on Diet 1 vs Diet 2 Secondary Objectives: * Assess the effects of these diets in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS on the gastrointestinal microbiota and blood based biomarkers. * Compare the efficacy of Diet 1 vs Diet 2 in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS on pre-specified clinical and quality of life endpoints. Methods: This is a prospective randomized control trial of adults meeting the Rome III criteria for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). After a 2 week screening period and randomization, during which the severity of symptoms will be assessed and eligibility determined, patients will be randomized to Diet 1 vs Diet 2 for a period of 4 weeks. The primary endpoint will be a comparison of the proportion of patients in each group reporting adequate relief of their IBS symptoms. For the secondary clinical outcomes, a responder definition incorporating abdominal pain and stool consistency as proposed by the FDA will be utilized. Key IBS-D symptoms will be assessed daily and adequate relief of IBS-D symptoms will be assessed weekly during the randomization period. We will also determine if a difference can be detected with high probability in the relative abundance and variety of specific bacterial taxa between the two groups before and after the 4 week dietary intervention. In addition, blood samples will be collected before and after randomization to measure relevant biomarkers of immune activation.

Interventions

OTHERDietary intervention

After a 14 day screening period, subjects will be randomized to 1 of 2 diets to treat their IBS symptoms. They will receive dietary instruction and are expected to remain on this diet for 4 weeks.

Sponsors

University of Michigan
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Meet Rome III criteria for IBS as assessed by a gastroenterologist: * Fulfill the Rome III stool consistency criteria for IBS -D * Willingness to maintain a stable dosage of IBS medications during the pretreatment baseline period, including tricyclic antidepressants; rescue medications permitted (ie Loperamide 2mg up to 4 times per day prn diarrhea) * Ability to provide written informed consent for study participation * Capable of independently completing all requirements of the study including returning for required visits * Documentation of normal colonoscopy with colon biopsies within five years * Documentation of normal TSH, CBC, electrolyte panel * Negative evaluation for celiac disease either with normal TTG, EMA, and/or duodenal biopsy.

Exclusion criteria

* Unable to understand or provide written informed consent * Pregnancy * IBS with constipation or mixed subtype * Comorbid medical problems that may affect gastrointestinal transit or motility: * Inflammatory bowel disease * Extraintestinal disease known to affect the gastrointestinal system (ie, scleroderma, unstable thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, etc.) * Severe renal or hepatic disease * Previous abdominal surgery other than appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and gynecologic/urologic surgery * Previous treatment with some diets for IBS * Concurrent medications not permitted including probiotics, antibiotics, and narcotics * Active participation in another form of dietary therapy * Patients who have undergone surgery to the GI tract except appendectomy or cholecystectomy if performed more than six months prior to enrollment.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of patients with adequate relief.4 weeksCompare the proportion of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) reporting adequate relief on Diet 1 v Diet 2.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Abdominal Pain4 weeksAn abdominal pain responder will report a ≥30% reduction in mean daily abdominal pain score compared to baseline for ≥2 of 4 treatment weeks. The proportion of responders between the two groups will be compared. Between group differences in the proportion of patients with a ≥30% reduction in mean daily abdominal pain score compared to baseline at the end of each treatment week will also be assessed.
Stool consistency4 weeksFor stool consistency, a responder will be defined as one who reports a decrease in mean daily BSFS value of 1 or more compared to baseline for ≥2 of 4 treatment weeks. The proportion of responders between the 2 groups will be compared. Between group differences in the proportion of patients with a decrease in BSFS value of ≥1 compared to baseline at the end of each treatment week will also be assessed.
Stool frequency4 weeksThe number of bowel movements will be recorded each day by IVRS. The change from baseline in mean daily stool frequency for each treatment week will be compared for the two groups.
Composite endpoint4 weeksComposite endpoint: A responder will report a ≥30% reduction in mean daily abdominal pain score and a decrease in mean daily BSFS value of ≥1 compared to baseline for ≥2 of 4 treatment weeks. The proportion of responders between the 2 groups will be compared.
Quality of life measures4 weeksIBS-Quality of Life scores, Hospital Depression Anxiety Scores, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and Sleep Assessment questionnaires will be compared between groups before and after the dietary intervention.
Stool Microbiome4 weeksThe effect of these 2 diets on the gut microbiome (number and species) in the context of IBS is not known. A change in the microbiota may be a mechanism through which symptom response is mediated. We will be measuring the shift in the relative abundance (richness) and variety (diversity) of gut microbial taxa in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) in response to dietary intervention. Stool microbiome would be collected and analyzed using the PhyloChip™ Assay (Second Genome Inc., San Bruno, CA).
Serum Biomarker Panel4 weeksRecent attempts have been made to identify a serological biomarker profile (Prometheus Therapeutics & Diagnostics, San Diego, CA) which accurately identifies patients with IBS. We intend to perform a biomarker test panel at enrollment in all study subjects to assess whether specific combinations of biomarkers can positively or negatively predict response to either diet.
Individual symptoms4 weeksThe change from baseline in daily NRS scores averaged over each treatment week for abdominal discomfort, urgency, bloating, and fatigue will compared between the 2 groups.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 9, 2026