A Randomized Trial of Inulin for Bowel Symptoms, Depression and Quality of Life in Constipation Predominant IBS

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inulin on bowel symptoms, depression and quality of life in individuals with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. This study was designed as a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a parallel design and a 1:1 allocation ratio. Individuals (n = 34) aged between 21 and 63 years with constipation-predominant IBS were included in the study. Individuals were randomly assigned to two groups: the prebiotic group (n = 17), which received a 50%/50% mixture of inulin/oligofructose (4.6 g twice daily, for a total daily dose of 9.2 g), and the placebo group (n = 17), which total received 9.2 g of maltodextrin per day. The intervention period was 8 weeks. Bristol Stool Scale, IBS-Visual Analogue Scale (IBS-VAS), IBS-Symptom Severity Score Scale (IBS-SSS), IBS-Quality of Life Scale (IBS-QoL) and Beck Depression Scale were administered to the participants at the beginning, 1st month and 2nd month. As a result, total IBS-QoL score increased in the prebiotic group (61.0 +/- 19.4 to 77.4 +/- 15.1; p < 0.006), whereas total IBS-SSS score decreased (267.3 +/- 56.0 to 195.8 +/- 59.0; p < 0.026). In the prebiotic group, significant improvement was observed in the IBS-VAS parameters of constipation status (2.2 +/- 2.3 to 4.9 +/- 2.5; p < 0.042(groupxtime)), psychological state (7 (2-10) to 9 (5-10); p < 0.006). It is thought that inulin may have beneficial effects on reducing symptom severity and frequency and on quality of life in individuals with IBS in whom constipation is predominant.