Probiotics and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The study includes 90 patients assigned into2 equal groups the first was prescribed probiotics (10 billion colony of lactobacillus delbruekii and lactobacillus fermentum) and itopride hcl 50mg three times daily, while the second group receivedonly itopridehcl 50mg by the same dose for four weeks.All patients fulfill ROME IV criteria and the IBS diagnostic questionnaire (Arabic version licensed by Rome Foundation). Data of the patient, with suspected IBS during the study period, were reviewed and the patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled into this study. A written consent was obtained from all included patients. The patients who agreed to participate were then randomly assigned into two equal groups and were followed up after 4 weeks from the first visit.

Any patient with red flags (e.g. weight or appetite loss, iron deficiency anemia, fever or rectal bleeding), Known inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease patients, patients above 50 years of age and immuno-compromised patients were excluded from the study.

The included patients aged from 18 to 50 years fulfilling Rome IV criteria for diagnosis of IBS:Recurrent abdominal pain (on average, at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months) associated with two or more of the following: (Related to defecation, Associated with a change in frequency of stool, Associated with a change in form of stool).Patients should fulfill Rome Foundation IBS-Diagnostic Questionnaire.

All patients were subjected to initial evaluation byfull history taking, questionnaires for (IBS diagnostic questionnaire, IBS-SSSand QOL -IBS survey), clinical examination, investigations (including CBC, ESR, CRP, random sugar, HbA1c, thyroid profile and stool analysis) and radiological assessment bypelvi-abdominal ultrasound to exclude any organic cause..Group one(45 patients) was prescribed probiotic (lactobacillus delbruekii and l. fermentum) 10billion colony forming units and itopride 50mg three times daily for four weeks while group two was prescribed only itopride 50mg three times daily for four weeks.Then reassessment of the questionnaires was done after 4 weeks of treatment for comparison

Inclusion criteria

1-Patients should fulfill Rome Foundation IBS-Diagnostic Questionnaire i.e [Recurrent abdominal pain (on average, at least 1 day/week in the last 3 months) associated with two or more of the following: (Related to defecation, Associated with a change in frequency of stool, Associated with a change in form of stool)].

Exclusion criteria

• Any patient with red flags (e.g. weight or appetite loss, iron deficiency anemia, fever or rectal bleeding),
• Known inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease patients,
• patients above 50 years of age
• immuno-compromised patients
• Refusal to participate in the study