The long-term effects of faecal microbiota transplantation for gastrointestinal symptoms and general health in patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

Summary

Background

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective treatment for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. In short-term the treatment has been shown to be safe, however, there are no large, long-term follow-up studies looking into the potential adverse effects.

Aim

To analyse the long-term effect of FMT treatment in patients with recurrent C. difficile infection and to compare the outcome to antibiotic treated patients.

Methods

Altogether 84 patients of which 45 received a FMT treatment and 39 served as controls receiving antibiotics for the infection were followed on average for 3.8 years. Their recovery and medical status was evaluated using a retrospective questionnaire, determining their quality of life, gastrointestinal symptoms and new diseases potentially related to the FMT.

Results

There was no difference in the incidence of severe diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, allergy, neurological diseases) between the patient groups. In addition, weight gain did not differ between treatment groups. The FMT treated patients reported that their bowel habits improved significantly faster, they had less irregular bowel function and less symptoms of upper GI-tract when compared to the patients treated with antibiotics. Significantly more patients in FMT-group reported that their mental health improved after the treatment. The willingness to receive FMT treatment for potential new C. difficile infection was significantly higher in both treatment groups compared to other treatment options.

Conclusion

Our study highlights that FMT is a durable, safe and acceptable treatment option for patients with recurrent C. difficile infection also in long term, and it shows potential benefits over antimicrobial treatment.

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