Fecal microbiota transplantation has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for chronic constipation. This randomized, controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of conventional treatment alone (control) with additional treatment with FMT (intervention) in patients with slow-transit constipation (STC). Adults with STC were randomized to receive intervention or control treatment. The control group received education, behavioral strategies, and oral laxatives. The intervention group was additionally provided 6 days of FMT. The primary endpoint was the clinical cure rate (proportion of patients achieving a mean of ≥ three complete spontaneous bowel movements [CSBMs] per week]. Secondary outcomes and safety parameters were assessed throughout the study. Sixty patients were randomized to either conventional treatment alone (n = 30) or FMT (n = 30) through a nasointestinal tube. There were significant differences between the intervention group and control group in the clinical improvement rate (intention-to-treat [ITT]: 53.3% vs. 20.0%, P = 0.009), clinical cure rate (ITT: 36.7% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.04), mean number of CSBMs per week (ITT: 3.2 ± 1.4 vs. 2.1 ± 1.2, P = 0.001), and the Wexner constipation score (ITT: 8.6 ± 1.5 vs. 12.7 ± 2.5, P < 0.00001). Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed better results in the stool consistency score (ITT: 3.9 vs. 2.4, P < 0.00001) and colonic transit time (ITT: 58.5 vs. 73.6 h, P < 0.00001). The intervention group had more treatment-related adverse events than did the control group (50 vs. 4 cases). FMT was significantly more effective (30% higher cure rate) for treatment of STC than conventional treatment. No serious adverse events were observed.

The Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) and the Mayo Endoscopic Score (MES) were developed as an objective method of the endoscopic severity in ulcerative colitis (UC); however, it was still unclear whether UCEIS vs MES could guide the need for colectomy in acute severe colitis (ASC). Consecutive ASC patients between January 2012 and May 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic data, previous therapy, clinical observations, laboratory parameters, medical therapy and endoscopic assessments were documented. The primary outcome was the need for colectomy during admission and follow-up. Ninety-two patients were enrolled. 37 (40.2%) needed colectomy. UCEIS score is a predictor of requirement for colectomy in multivariate analysis (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.77–5.97; P < 0.001). Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) area of UCEIS is 0.85, with a sensitivity of 60.3% and specificity of 85.5% using cut-off value of 7, which outperforms MES with the ROC area of 0.65; When UCEIS score ≥7, 80% of patients eventually need colectomy. UCEIS outperformed MES as a predictor for need for colectomy in ASC patients. The high probability of medical treatment failure and benefits of early colectomy should be discussed in patients with baseline UCEIS ≥ 7. Acute severe colitis; colectomy; Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity; Mayo Endoscopic Score

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) induces remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the treatment effect of FMT diminishes over time. Maintaining the diversity of the gut flora for long periods may improve the effects of FMT in UC. Pectin, which can be fermented by gut microbiota into short-chain fatty acids, is postulated to shape the composition and maintain the balance of gut microbiota following transplantation. This study investigated whether pectin could enhance the effects of FMT in UC patients. Three FMT patients and four FMTP patients achieved the primary outcome. The Mayo scores of the FMTP group were lower than those of the FMT group at weeks 4 and 12 (P = 0.042 and P = 0.042, respectively). There were no differences in the diversity of the gut flora between the two groups at weeks 4 and 12; however, the composition of the gut flora of the FMTP group was more similar than the FMT group to that of the donor at all-time points post-treatment. Pectin decreased the Mayo score by preserving the diversity of the gut flora following FMT for UC. Current Controlled Trial NCT02016469 . Registered 10 November 2013