Clinical trial NCT02977975: Lacto-fermented Sauerkraut in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Investigate the Efficacy of Traditionally Fermented Sauerkraut in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome
The human microbiome
Microbiota
Gut microbiota
Probiotics
Sauerkraut
Lead sponsor: University of Copenhagen
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2016-11-30
Enrollment: 70
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 16
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of traditionally fermented sauerkraut in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Detailed description: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects around 11% of the population globally. Several factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of IBS, including psychological stress, gastrointestinal motility, and diet . More recently, it has become clear that the gastrointestinal microbiota may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of this functional GI condition.

Several studies have shown that an altered gut microbiota profile is present in at least some subgroups of IBS patients. This may, in part, explain why a proportion of IBS patients have elevated levels of inflammatory mediators in systemic circulation.

Gut microbiome manipulation, for example through the use of probiotic and prebiotic supplements, has shown some promise in the treatment of IBS. However, the research in this area is still in its infancy, and it remains unclear what type of intervention that is the preferred choice in cases of IBS.

Several studies have investigated how the use of probiotic supplements containing Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli affect the clinical outcome of patients with IBS. However, to date, no studies have assessed whether fermented vegetables, a "natural" source of probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum, are useful in the treatment of IBS.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

Rome III criteria (Criteria fulfilled for the last 6 months with symptom onset at least 3 months prior to diagnosis):

Recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days/month in the last 3 months associated with two or more of the following:

1. Improvement with defecation
2. Onset associated with a change in frequency of stool
3. Onset associated with a change in form (appearance) of stool

Exclusion Criteria:

* Psychiatric disorder
* Metabolic disease
* Chronic infection
* Organic gastrointestinal disorder
* Pregnancy
* Breastfeeding

Primary outcomes:
measure: IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS).
timeFrame: Change from day 0 to day 42
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Body weight
timeFrame: Change from day 0 to day 42
measure: Fecal microbiome diversity
timeFrame: Change from day 0 to day 42
measure: The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)
timeFrame: Change from day 0 to day 42
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Oslo
country: Norway
facility: Volvat Medisinske Senter, Majorstuen
Study officials:
References: