The purpose of this study is to determine if probiotics bacteria, specifically bifidobacterium lactis (BB12) improve gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects with functional gastrointestinal symptoms (i.e., non-patients IBS/functional bowel disorders).
The apparent success of the use of probiotics in several gut disorders (e.g., IBD and rotavirus diarrhea) together with the greater understanding of the role of inflammation and intestinal microflora in the pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders has led to increased interest in use of probiotics in patients with these symptoms. The data on the use of probiotic in certain functional GI disorders (e.g., IBS, bloating, diarrhea) is limited but several reported studies show encouraging results and suggest some symptomatic response and parallel improvement in quality of life. Functional Bowel Disorders (FBD) - According to the Rome II criteria FBD refer to symptoms attributed to the mid or lower GI tract. FBD include several clinical subgroups including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional diarrhea, functional constipation, functional abdominal bloating, and an unspecified group. This study will examine 'Non-Patients IBS,' these are people who have functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms but do not sought out medical care for their GI symptoms and therefore they are referred to as 'Non-patients'. This study will investigate the overall effect of probiotic bacteria (BB12) on GI symptoms in non-patients subjects with functional bowel symptoms (FBS).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
63
Bifidobacterium lactis (3.1 oz yogurt) administered once a day for 6 weeks
Placebo administered once a day for 6 weeks
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
The global relief of functional GI symptoms as assessed by Global Symptom Assessment (GSA) of relief of functional GI symptoms.
Time frame: March 2008
The satisfaction with treatment as assessed by Satisfaction Survey.
Time frame: March 2008
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