Effect of Probiotics on Functional Constipation in Adults

Overview

Introduction: Functional constipation is a symptom-based gastrointestinal disorder without an organic origin (eg, bowel obstruction). It has a prevalence of 14% in adults. Objective: The objective of trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different probiotic blends in adults subjects with functional constipation. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study will be conducted for up to two years to evaluate the efficacy of two different probiotic mixtures: (Mixture 1) Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (3 billion CFU); (Mixture 2) Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus defensis, Bifidobacterium animallis (8 billion CFU).

The study involve 150 healthy volunteers with functional constipation.The sample size was based on literature reviews of the probiotics' effect comparing the differences between means. After confirmation of eligibility and obtaining written informed consent, the patients will be randomized (stratification for blocks) to recivied the interventions. The patients and the phisician will be blinded to the treatment received. The eligible patients will be allocated (1:1:1) to treatment with either the probiotics supplements or placebo. Subjects will be instructed to ingest one sachet before breakfast, by mixing the powder in water and drinking it. The sachets will be stored at room temperature. Data handling and record keeping Case report forms will be used to record data for all participants, and will be completed by the research doctor, who will also enter the data into an electronic database. Study schedule and location After inclusion, all further treatments will be managed at the primary care center where the subject was recruited. A research doctor and a research pharmacist will be responsible for all contacts with patients. Local of study development Recruitment of patients to this study will be made by collaboration with the Gastroenterolgy Clinic at Avenue Dr Armando Sales de Oliveira 371, Trujilo, Sorocaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil from March 2020 to April 2020. Sorocaba is a Brazilian municipality in the interior of the state of São Paulo. It is the fourth most populous in the interior of São Paulo in the Southeast of the country, and the most populous in the southern region of São Paulo, with a population of 671,186 inhabitants, estimated by IBGE for July 1, 2018. For comparison of three groups, an independent t-test will be applied for continuous variables and Mann-Whitney for non-continuous variables. Analysis of adverse events (if any) will be performed using Chi-Square test and Fisher's exact test following assumptions of randomness, independence and size. Significance differences will be set at p\<0.05.