ISRCTN ISRCTN14003582
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14003582
IRAS number 325736
Secondary identifying numbers 1168, IRAS 325736, CPMS 55644
Submission date
18/04/2023
Registration date
10/05/2023
Last edited
20/06/2024
Recruitment status
Stopped
Overall study status
Stopped
Condition category
Digestive System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition which causes symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habits. Conventional treatment is frequently unsatisfactory. The study does not involve a medicine. The researchers wish to explore whether giving a food supplement called JUVIA will improve symptoms of IBS. JUVIA is an enzyme-rich malt extract (ERME) that contains a high concentration of enzymes that digest carbohydrates that aim to improve symptoms of IBS. ERME is a by-product of the malting process, in which cereal grains (like barley) are dried. It is sweet and easy to drink and has been used for many years in baking and cookery.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 – 65 years with symptoms of IBS

What does the study involve?
The study involves two visits to the research clinic with two telephone calls. Participants provide a urine and stool sample at the start and end of the study. The study duration is 4 weeks and during this time participants take a food supplement (drink i.e. JUVIA) 20 ml twice a day before food.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Juvia could improve IBS symptoms. There could be slightly looser bowel movements and in the first few days possible worsening of symptoms which should settle quickly.

Where is the study run from?
The Clinical Research Unit, Swansea Bay University Health Board (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2022 to October 2024

Who is funding the study?
Ateria Health Ltd (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Kathie Wareham, kathie.wareham@wales.nhs.uk

Contact information

Prof Stephen Bain
Principal Investigator

Swansea Bay University Health Board
Swansea
SA2 8PP
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1792 530819
Email s.c.bain@swansea.ac.uk

Study information

Study designOpen study with a marketed food supplement
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)University/medical school/dental school, Other
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet 43510_PIS_02May23.pdf
Scientific titlePilot study to assess the effect of enzyme-rich malt extract (Juvia) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
Study acronymJUVIA
Study objectivesThis study explores whether the administration of a food supplement called JUVIA improves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). JUVIA is an enzyme-rich malt extract (ERME) that contains a high concentration of enzymes that digest carbohydrates which alters the composition of large bowel contents. ERME is a by-product of the malting process, in which cereal grains (like barley) are dried, and is sweet and easy to drink. It is not classified as a medicine.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 28/04/2023, Wales REC6, c/o Public Health Wales (Building 1, Jobswell Road, St David’s Park, SA31 3HB, UK; +44 (0)1267 611164; Wales.REC6@Wales.nhs.uk), ref: 23/WA/0120
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
InterventionParticipants will be asked to take two tablespoons of JUVIA (enzyme-rich malt extract) each day for 4 weeks and complete a number of questionnaires and provide samples for biochemical analysis.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measureIBS severity measured using IBS severity score questionnaire from baseline (visit 1) to 4 weeks (visit 2)
Secondary outcome measuresMeasured at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks:
1. Severity of abdominal pain measured using IBS patient severity score questionnaire
2. Frequency of abdominal pain measured using IBS patient severity score questionnaire
3. Change in abdominal bloating measured using IBS patient severity score questionnaire
4. Change in bowel habit “satisfaction” measured using IBS patient severity score questionnaire
5. Change in the impact of IBS on lifestyle measured using IBS-OOL questionnaire – validated
6. Change in bowel frequency measured using IBS severity score
7. Change in stool consistency measured using IBS severity score
8. Change in absence from work days related to IBS (as defined by IBS severity score scales) measured using IBS severity score questionnaire
9. Change in IBS quality of life (QoL) questionnaire scores measured using LIFE measures IBS-QOL questionnaire

Safety Endpoints:
The incidence, nature, severity, relatedness, duration, outcome, seriousness and expectedness of treatment-emergent adverse events, measured by patient reporting during the study at any timepoint

Missing Data:
Subjects with missing efficacy data will be analysed on a last-observation-carried-forward basis
Overall study start date14/10/2022
Completion date28/10/2024
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)Participant recruitment issue

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit65 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants20
Total final enrolment9
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged 18-65 years
2. Current symptoms of IBS (abdominal pain and altered bowel habit) ROME IV criteria
3. Prepared to take ERME (JUVIA) for the duration (taste test available for the patient)
4. Normal full blood count within the last 12 months (from medical notes if available)
5. Previous calprotectin (from medical notes if available) <80.ug/g
6. Previous tissue transglutaminase (tTG) (from medical notes if available)
7. Positive for malfermentation as decided by IBS Questionnaire Score
8. Registered with a GP and consent to GP being informed
Key exclusion criteria1. Pregnant, planning to become pregnant or lactating
2. Diabetic (or other co-morbidity that the CI considers inappropriate)
3. On a restrictive diet or unwilling or unable to change diet
4. Current medication (e.g. opiates) that may influence bowel symptoms (at the discretion of the CI)
5. Antibiotics in the previous 6 weeks
6. Other gastrointestinal disease (e.g. coeliac, Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis )
7. Significant gastrointestinal surgery (this will be a clinical decision and any patient who has had a surgical procedure that would change the mechanics of gut function would be excluded)
8. Involved in other gastroenterology research project or other interventional study that would affect results
Date of first enrolment01/06/2023
Date of final enrolment30/06/2024

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centre

Swansea Bay University Local Health Board
One Talbot Gateway, Seaway Drive
Seaway Parade Industrial Estate
Baglan
Port Talbot
SA12 7BR
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Ateria Health Ltd
Industry

21 Albermarle Street
London
W1S 4BS
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)1792 530819
Email john.hunter@tharos.co.uk

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Ateria Health Ltd

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/12/2024
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planA final report will be completed and either a full report or summary will be submitted to the REC and R&D after perusal and consent from the Sponsor.

It is intended to publish the results whether positive or negative, in both abstracts and major gastroenterological journals.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not expected to be made available as it is a small pilot study

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet 02/05/2023 09/05/2023 No Yes
Protocol file 02/05/2023 09/05/2023 No No
HRA research summary 20/09/2023 No No

Additional files

43510_PROTOCOL_02May23.pdf
43510_PIS_02May23.pdf

Editorial Notes

20/06/2024: The study stopped due to slow recruitment and changes in sponsor study support having recruited 9 participants.
20/02/2024: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 28/05/2024 to 28/10/2024.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/07/2024 to 01/12/2024.
3. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
4. The recruitment end date was changed from 29/02/2024 to 30/06/2024.
20/09/2023: A link to the HRA research summary was added.
05/06/2023: Internal review.
09/05/2023: Trial's existence confirmed by Wales REC 6.