The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of L. reuteri DSM 17938 on pain frequency and severity in children of 5-16 years old and with diagnosis of FAP.
This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Subjects between of 5-16 years of age with FAP as defined in the Rome III criteria and with pain severity of at least 40 mm on a 100 mm VAS scale and pain frequency of at least 1 episode per week over the preceding 8 weeks will be recruited. In accordance to the specific Rome III criteria for inclusion, FAP is defined as a variable combination of chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms not explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities. A study questionnaire to record pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms will be used. One-hundred and six (106) Subjects will be randomized to receive either dietary supplementation with L. reuteri DSM 17938 (2 chewable tablets with breakfast), or the same number of comparable placebo tablets, 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 by the GSRS (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Score). Subjects/caregivers will be instructed to maintain the usual diet throughout the study, but not to consume other probiotics (foods or supplements) during the entire study period. The symptoms diary will be completed daily by the parents and will report information on the frequency of pain episodes, location of pain, presence or absence of associated symptoms, need to take medication for pain and interference with normal activities. The intensity of the symptoms will be assessed by using the Wong-Baker Faces scale.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
54
2 chewable tablets with breakfast for 4 weeks
2 chewable tablets with breakfast for 4 weeks
Athens Children's Hospital "AGIA SOPHIA"
Athens, Attica, Greece
University of Warsaw, Department of Pediatrics
Warsaw, Poland
University of Ljubljana, Children's Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abdominal pain frequency and severity over the 4-week treatment period.
Reduction in pain frequency measured by a subject diary, in the L. reuteri DSM 17938 group and the placebo group, expressed as area under the pain-frequency curve and comparing L. reuteri DSM 17938 vs placebo over the treatment period. Reduction in pain severity is assessed using the face score system of Wong-Baker at day 14 and at the end of treatment (day 28)vs. baseline. Area under the pain-intensity curve will be assessed for Weeks 1-4 and Weeks 1-2
Time frame: 4 weeks
Reduction in pain frequency and intensity over the 8-week study period
Reduction in pain frequency measured by a subject diary in the L. reuteri group expressed as area under the L. reuteri pain-frequency curve compared to placebo over the initial 2 weeks of the treatment period as well as over the whole study period. Reduction in pain intensity, measured by the face score system of Wong-Baker at day 14, end of treatment (day 28), and end of follow-up period (day 56) vs baseline. Area under the pain-intensity curve for Weeks 1-4 and Weeks 1-2 will be compared.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Reduction in other GI symptoms over the whole study period
Reduction in other GI symptoms as measured by Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scoring system. Time points: baseline, day 14, end of treatment and end of follow-up, in the L. reuteri group vs. placebo.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Days of absence from school and other activities due to abdominal pain over the whole study period
The number of days of absence from school and other activities due to abdominal pain will be compared between the L. reuteri group vs placebo.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Reduction in absence from work by parents over the whole study period
he number of days of absence from work by parents due to abdominal pain of the child will be compared between the L. reuteri group vs placebo.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Safety outcome over the whole study period
The number of adverse events will be observed and recorded during the entire study period
Time frame: 8 weeks