Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional intestinal disorder that is often caused by various factors leading to abnormal gut-brain interaction. The main symptoms are abdominal pain and abnormal bowel movements, accompanied by changes in frequency and/or stool characteristics. Common types include diarrhea type, constipation type, mixed type, and amorphous type.
In the general population of China, the incidence rate of irritable bowel syndrome is about 1.4%~11.5%. However, because many patients have not been treated, the actual number may be higher than this. This condition can occur in all age groups, but it is more common in middle-aged and young people, while the incidence rate in elderly people (≥ 60 years old) has decreased. The incidence of disease in women is slightly higher than that in men.
Probiotics and antibiotics are possible treatment options. An Italian team recently carried out a pilot study with the goal of examining the gut microbiome of individuals with IBS. To treat their symptoms, they then gave them a customized dose of probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics.
Thirteen participants in the pilot experiment with post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) reported improved symptoms after receiving this customized medication.
In this study, the makeup of gut bacteria was rebalanced as the researchers studied the gut microbiomes of patients with the illness. In order to introduce missing bacterial strains, they supplemented certain probiotics and prebiotics and used antibiotics to treat bacterial overgrowth.
Amazingly, within 12 weeks of starting treatment, almost one-third of the patients receiving this individualized strategy experienced total symptom remission.
Initially, researchers developed a technique to examine stool samples and pinpoint particular bacterial strains in the individuals' microbiomes in order to tailor treatment for IBS.
With this testing method, they assessed the 13 subjects and customized a treatment that included probiotics to restore depleted beneficial strains and one of two antibiotics to target elevated amounts of harmful germs.
In addition, over two-thirds of the participants were advised to take prebiotics such as psyllium and inulin.
Twelve of the thirteen patients reported improved symptoms at the 12-week assessment point after the start of treatment.
Symptoms before starting treatment included dyspepsia, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Following treatment, the only symptoms left were diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain.
Five of the individuals experienced total symptom remission.
Additionally, based on gut microbiome testing, the researchers observed that 23% of subjects had poor species diversity, 23% had high Proteobacteria levels, and 38% had decreased Firmicutes levels.
In post-infectious IBS, what happens?
Post-infectious IBS is a chronic illness that affects the digestive tract and is typified by altered bowel patterns and recurrent pain.
For patients with post-infectious IBS, the researchers in this study used a standard therapy regimen that included probiotics and antibiotics.
Given the absence of control groups in the conference presentation's findings, it remains challenging to determine whether participants would have responded similarly to a standardized treatment rather than the personalized regimen provided.