Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Conditions
Brief summary
This study evaluates the effect of a symbiotic fermented milk on health-related quality of life and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms in patients with constipation-predominant IBS.
Detailed description
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common digestive disorders in the developed world which. It is associated to numerous symptoms, of which the most characteristic are recurrent pain or discomfort in the abdominal region, changes and difficulties related to bowel movements, and bloating. Although not dangerous, the disease may significantly impair the patients' quality of life. Treatment is symptomatic, but currently not very efficient. The use of probiotics in the treatment of IBS is a promising approach and has been the subject of much research in the last two decades. The purpose of this randomized, placebo-controlled study is to assess changes in health-related quality of life in patients with constipation-predominant IBS after regular consumption of symbiotic fermented milk (containing probiotics and dietary fibres) and to assess its effects on some symptoms, like abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, and chronic constipation.
Interventions
OTHERLCA symbiotic fermented milk
LCA symbiotic fermented milk with the probiotic cultures Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5® and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BB-12® and the Beneo dietary fibers.
OTHERheat-treated fermented milk
heat-treated fermented milk without probiotic cultures and dietary fibres
Sponsors
Competence Centre for Biotechnology Research and Innovation
European Regional Development Fund
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia
Institute of Dairy Science and probiotics, Biotechnical Faculty, UL
Dairy Celeia
Clinres Farmacija d.o.o.
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Confirmed constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (on the basis of Rome III criteria) (≥ 25 % lumpy or hard stools and ≤ 25 % mushy or watery stools). * Meeting Rome III criteria for the determination of irritable bowel syndrome in the last 6 months prior to inclusion and the presence of symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and general digestive discomfort at least twice a week in the last 3 months prior to inclusion. * Colonoscopy in the last 7 years prior to inclusion with normal results.
Exclusion criteria
* Diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (≥ 25 % mushy or watery stools and ≤ 25 % lumpy or hard stools). * Clinical signs of alarm, such as rectorrhagia, fever, recent unexplained weight loss. * Organic gastrointestinal diseases, including chronic inflammatory bowel disease and systemic diseases with gastrointestinal difficulties. * Severe abdominal pain and the taking of analgesics or antispasmodics for the previous 5 days or more. * Having begun treatment with psychotropic medicines or other drugs for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome within the previous month. * Dietary habits that could influence the assessment of the investigational product, such as slimming or a vegetarian diet. * Known allergy to ingredient(s) in the investigational product. * Known medical or psycho-physical condition that is, in the opinion of the investigator, in conflict with consumption of the investigational product and/or the course of the study. * Participation in another clinical study less than one month before inclusion or concurrent participation in another clinical study.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Quality of life | 4 weeks of product consumption | assessed by IBS-QoL questionnaire |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Improvements in IBS symptoms (bloating, abdominal pain, satisfaction with bowel movement, stool frequency and stool consistency) | 4 weeks of product consumption | assessed by IBS - Severity Scoring System |
| Quality of life | 2 weeks of product consumption | assessed by IBS-QoL questionnaire |
Outcome results
None listed