Assessment of the probiotic Symprove as a dietary supplement in patients with symptomatic diverticular disease

ISRCTN ISRCTN71661079
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN71661079
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
05/02/2013
Registration date
08/02/2013
Last edited
19/12/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
In diverticulosis, small bulges develop in the lining of the large intestine (colon). Diverticulitis is when these bulges become inflamed or infected. Diverticulitis is an extremely common disease particularly found in elderly patients. Many patients with diverticulitis have symptoms such as diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain, similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Different treatments have been proposed but they are unproven or controversial. It is thought that intestinal bacteria may be involved in the symptoms. As the probiotic dietary supplement Symprove has been found to reduce the symptoms of IBS, this study aims to test Symprove in patients with diverticulitis.

Who can participate?
Patients aged between 18 and 80 with diverticulitis.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to be treated with either Symprove or placebo (dummy treatment) for 12 weeks followed by a further 4-week follow-up.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Symprove may be able to help reduce the severity of diverticular disease symptoms such as pain, diarrhoea, constipation and bloating. There are no known risks of drinking Symprove.

Where is the study run from?
King's College Hospital Gastroenterology Department (UK).

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2013 to December 2014.

Who is funding the study?
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (UK).

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Ingvar Bjarnason

Contact information

Prof Ingvar Bjarnason
Scientific

Department of Gastroenterology
King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designDouble-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleAssessment of the probiotic Symprove as a dietary supplement in patients with symptomatic diverticular disease: a double blind randomised placebo controlled trial
Study objectivesThe probiotic Symprove when taken as a dietary supplement can reduce symptom severity and significantly improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients with symptomatic diverticular disease.
Ethics approval(s)Health Research Authority, NRES Committee London - Riverside, Bristol Research Ethics Committee Centre, 10/12/2012, REC ref: 12/LO/1695, IRAS project ID: 115448
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedDiverticular disease
InterventionSymprove probiotic dietary supplement (1 ml/kg) or placebo. Following a 1 week run in period, all patients will receive 12 weeks of treatment (either placebo or active treatment) followed by a further 4 week follow up. Patient randomisation in a 2:1 ratio active:placebo.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measureImprovement in Global Symptom Severity Score and specific symptom sub-scores (abdominal pain, bloating, stool frequency and stool consistency)
Secondary outcome measures1. Improvement in quality of life (QOL) as measured by a validated QOL questionnaire on week 12 of the study
2. Improvement in Sleep Quality Assessment
Overall study start date01/01/2013
Completion date31/12/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants200
Key inclusion criteria1. Have a documented episode of diverticulitis as assesses clinically, on CT scans and a raised serological markers of inflammation
2. Have problematic symptoms associated with established diverticular disease
3. Aged between 18 and 80 years
4. Are on no treatment or have been on stabile medication for at least 6 weeks for diverticular disease
5. Willing and able to provide a written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria1. Aged less than 18 years and greater than 80 years
2. Severe disease (ongoing severe active diverticulitis) as defined by hemoglobin < 8.0 g/dl, white blood cell count >20,000 cells/mm3, temperature >38.5°C, albumin < 25 g/dl
3. Diverticular complications such as recto-vaginal or bladder fistula, abscess, etc.
4. Severe respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, rheumatological diseases
5. Undergone major intestinal resections
6. Patients with malignancy
7. On NSAIDs
8. Pregnancy or actively seeking pregnancy
9. History of intolerance or allergy to probiotics
10. Current drug or alcohol dependence syndrome
11. Pregnancy
12. Patients with severe learning difficulties
Date of first enrolment01/01/2013
Date of final enrolment31/12/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

King's College Hospital
London
SE5 9RS
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

King's College Hospital (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

c/o Prof. Ingvar Bjarnason
Department of Gastroenterology
King's College Hospital
Denmark Hill
London
SE5 9RS
England
United Kingdom

Website http://www.kch.nhs.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01qz4yx77

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/05/2017 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

19/12/2017: Publication reference added.