Published online May 14, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i18.2219
Peer-review started: January 25, 2021
First decision: February 27, 2021
Revised: March 13, 2021
Accepted: April 22, 2021
Article in press: April 22, 2021
Published online: May 14, 2021
Processing time: 104 Days and 11 Hours
Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) seems to be a promising treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. In Western countries (United States and Europe), there is a female predominance in IBS. A sex difference in the response to FMT has been reported recently in IBS patients.
To investigate whether there was a sex difference in the response to FMT in the IBS patients who were included in our previous randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of FMT.
The study included 164 IBS patients who participated in our previous randomized controlled trial. These patients had moderate-to-severe IBS symptoms belonging to the IBS-D (diarrhoea-predominant), IBS-C (constipation-predominant) and IBS-M (mixed) subtypes, and had not responded to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)-modified diet. They belonged in three groups: placebo (own faeces), and active treated group (30-g or 60-g superdonor faeces). The patients completed the IBS severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and the IBS quality of life scale (IBS-QoL) questionnaires at the baseline and 2 wk, 1 mo and 3 mo after FMT. They also provided faecal samples at the baseline and 1 mo after FMT. The faecal bacteria profile and dysbiosis were determined using the 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction DNA amplification covering V3-V9; probe labelling by single nucleotide extension and signal detection. The levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were determined by gas chromatography and flame ionization.
There was no sex difference in the response to FMT either in the placebo group or active treated group. There was no difference between females and males in either the placebo group or actively treated groups in the total score on the IBS-SSS, FAS or IBS-QoL, in dysbiosis, or in the faecal bacteria or SCFA level. However, the response rate was significantly higher in females with diarrhoea-predominant (IBS-D) than that of males at 1 mo, and 3 mo after FMT. Moreover, IBS-SSS total score was significantly lower in female patients with IBS-D than that of male patients both 1 mo and 3 mo after FMT.
There was no sex difference in the response to FMT among IBS patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms who had previously not responded to NICE-modified diet. However, female patients with IBS-D respond better and have higher reduction of symptoms than males after FMT.
Core Tip: A sex difference in the response to faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was previous reported for a subgroup of refractory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients with severe bloating who had not responded to at least three conventional therapies for IBS. This subgroup only contained patients with diarrhoea-predominant (IBS-D) or mixed (IBS-M) IBS. The present study found no sex difference in the response to FMT among IBS patients with moderate-to-severe symptoms of IBS-D, constipation-predominant (IBS-C) and IBS-M. However, female patients with IBS-D respond better and have higher reduction of symptoms than males after FMT.