Fengliao Changweikang for Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: N-of-1 Trial

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phasePhase 4
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-75
SponsorPeking Union Medical College Hospital

About this trial

Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, with characteristics of defecation related abdominal pain and diarrhea. Routine treatment strategy for IBS-D is symptom-based with unsatisfactory results, while there is a growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, lack of high-quality evidences being the obstacle for its development.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Fengliao Changweikang Keli (FLCWK) on symptoms and health-related quality of life in mild to moderate IBS-D patients.

After 2-week run-in period, each participant will be randomized to a sequence of six 4-week double-blind treatment periods of FLCWK 8 g three times daily or placebo, separated by 2-week washout periods.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Aged between 18 and 75 years.

Mild to moderate IBS-D patients, with IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) scores of 75 to 300 points[14].

Ability to complete questionnaires and provide written informed consent.

Current use of IBS medications (probiotics, antibiotics, antispasmodic, antidiarrheal and neuromodulators) should be prescribed on a stable dose at least 30 days prior to enrollment, and have no plan to change the dose, diet or lifestyle.

Disqualifiers

History of organic gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease and malignancy.

Scores of IBS-SSS > 300 points or IBS-SSS < 75 points.

History of severe heart, kidney or liver diseases.

Pregnant or breastfeeding.

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

  • FLCWK

    Drug

    FLCWK and matching placebo to be taken in a randomised order for 9 months

  • Placebo

    Drug

    FLCWK and matching placebo to be taken in a randomised order for 9 months

Treatment groups

50 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: FLCWKExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: PlaceboPlacebo comparator 2 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

IBS-SSS score

The severity score questionnaire consists of 5 items and each item is rated on a scale of 0-100 points, leading to a total score of 0-500 points. An improvement of more than 50 points for IBS-SSS questionnaire is considered clinical effective.

Time frame
At the end of run-in period (week 2) and at the end of each washout period (week 8, 14, 20, 26, 32) and during each treatment period (week 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36).

Secondary outcomes

1

IBS-QOL score

IBS-QOL is a 34-item questionnaire assessing patient's health related quality of life, and higher scores indicate a better quality of life. IBS-QOL focuses on eight domains, namely dysphoria, activity interference, body image, health worry, food avoidance, social reaction, sexual and relationships, and an increase of more than 14 points indicates clinical improvement in quality of life. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on the IBS-QOL is defined as a change of 10 points in the total score.

Time frame
At the end of run-in period (week 2) and at the end of each washout period (week 8, 14, 20, 26, 32) and during each treatment period (week 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36).
2

self-reported symptoms including abdominal pain and diarrhea

The score of worst abdominal pain in the past 24 hours will be evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10. The stool consistency of the past 24 hours will also be rated by BSFS, based on a 1 to 7 scale where 1 corresponds to a hard stool and 7 corresponds to watery diarrhea.

Time frame
At the end of run-in period (week 2) and at the end of each washout period (week 8, 14, 20, 26, 32) and during each treatment period (week 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36).

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: