Efficacy of Lactobacillus Reuteri Protectis on Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP) in Children 8-14 Years Old

BioGaia AB9 enrolled

Overview

The present clinical trial will examine the use of L. reuteri Protectis in children with functional abdominal pain. The aim of the study is to evaluate the use of L. reuteri Protectis on pain (severity and frequency) in children of 8-14 years old and with diagnosis of functional abdominal pain (FAP).

Subject will be asked to consume a tablet every day for 4 weeks. Supplementation will be stopped after 4 weeks, and the subjects will be followed up for an additional 4 weeks. The subjects will complete a diary to record frequency and intensity of pain, use of medication, deviation from the usual diet, physical activities, and absence from school and other activities. Gastrointestinal symptoms are assessed.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Abdominal Pain

Interventions

L. reuteri protectisDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

1 tablet once daily for 4 weeks

Placebo tabletDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

1 tablet once daily for 4 weeks

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 8 YearsMax age: 14 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * FAP (Functional Abdominal Pain) according to Rome III criteria for * Child/Adolescent (Rasquin, 2006); * 1 or more abdominal pain episodes per week over the past 8 weeks; * Informed consent by study participant and at least one parent / legal guardian; * Age 8-14 years; * Pain severity at study entry must be at least 40 mm on a 100 mm VAS scale; * Ability to understand and comply with the requirements of the trial; * Stated availability throughout the study period. Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic illness; * Surgery of Gastrointestinal tract; * Any organic symptoms and/or clinical signs of disorder or disease other than FAP; * Weight loss of 5% or more in body weight over the preceding 3 months; * Any abnormal result of laboratory assays, also including screening for celiac disease, lactose intolerance; * Exposure to any drug or medication (antidepressants, SSRIs, laxatives) in the past 3 months or regular use of this medication; * Exposure to probiotics or antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to study; subjects can be included following a wash-out period of 4 weeks. * Participation in other clinical trials in the past 3 months; * Subjects with anemia; * Subjects with special dietary needs

Locations (2)

AO Niguarda Ca' granda

Milan, Italy

AO "San Paolo"

Milan, Italy

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Primary endpoint

Pain frequency measured by a subject diary, in the L. reuteri Protectis group and the placebo group, expressed as area under the pain-frequency curve and comparing L. reuteri Protectis vs. placebo over the 4-week supplementation period.

Time frame: 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary endpoint

Pain frequency measured by subject diary and expressed as area under the curve, comparing L. reuteri protectis vs. placebo over the initial 2 weeks of the supplementation period. Pain severity measured by the face score system by Wong-Baker at day 14, 28 and 56 (follow up) vs baseline, and area under the curve for weeks 1-4 and 1-2. Treatment success, defined as ≥ 50% reduction in pain frequency in weeks 1-4. Reduction in days of absence from school. Parents' absence from work. Need of rescue medication.

Time frame: 56 days

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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