Efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of chronic functional constipation in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)for the treatment of chronic functional constipation in the elderly.Methods:A total of 33 elderly patients with chronic functional constipation were included and given three sessions of FMT.Changes in fecal characteristics, constipation, mood and quality of life in these patients were evaluated using the Bristol stool form scale(BSFS), the constipation assessment scale(CAS), patient assessment of constipation symptoms(PAC-SYM), the Zung self-rating anxiety scale(SAS), the Zung self-rating depression scale(SDS), and the patient assessment of constipation quality of life(PAC-QOL)before and 12 weeks after treatment.The clinical efficacy was based on comparison between pre-and post-treatment results for each patient.Results:Clear improvement was achieved in 33 patients 12 weeks after treatment, compared with before transplantation.Post-treatment scores of the constipation assessment scale and symptom self-assessment questionnaire for patients with constipation were(8.9±1.2)scores and(26.5±2.4)scores, respectively, significantly lower than pre-transplantation scores of(12.2±1.1)scores and(32.4±2.4)scores( t=15.034, 13.904, both P<0.001). Similarly, post-treatment scores were also lower than pre-transplantation levels for the self-rating anxiety scale[(50.4±8.4)scores vs.(57.5±9.0)scores, t=10.333, P<0.001], the self-rating depression scale[(50.6±8.4)% vs.(55.0±10.5)%, t=5.301, P<0.001], and self-assessment questionnaire for quality of life[(88.2±7.3)scores vs.(103.7±7.3)scores, t=23.300, P<0.001]. Conclusions:FMT can improve fecal characteristics and constipation symptoms, relieve anxiety and depression, improve the quality of life, and provide a new option for the treatment for elderly patients with chronic functional constipation.