The effect of Bifidobacterium longum 35624^® long-term intake on the symptoms and life quality of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: the results of an observational trial

O.I. Solovyova, A.S. Nekrasova, Yu.G. Topalova, V.A. Ponomarenko, D.B. Tsurtsumiya, I.G. Ilyashevich

I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, St. Petersburg

Background: in recent years, a significant role in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathogenesis of the intestinal microbiocenosis condition has been proven. The Bifidobacterium longum 35624^® strain has the greatest evidence base for use in IBS.

Aim: to study the efficacy of a long-term (12 weeks) use of the Bifidobacterium longum 35624^® strain (Symbiosis Alflorex probiotic) in patients with IBS in real clinical practice.

Patients and Methods: the follow-up program included 42 patients with a verified diagnosis of moderate and severe IBS. All patients remained on stable baseline therapy for at least 2 weeks prior to inclusion in the trial and received the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum 35624^®, 1 capsule containing ¹⁰⁹ CFU, once a day for 12 weeks. The tendency of the IBS symptoms severity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), the visceral sensitivity index (VSI), the IBS severity according to the IBS-SSS questionnaire, life quality indicators according to the IBS-QoL questionnaire scales. The indicators were evaluated at the inclusion visit, on the 14^th, 28^th, 56^th, 84^th days of probiotic intake and on the 112^th day (28 days after taking the last dose of Bifidobacterium longum 35624^®).

Results: a significant positive effect of the Bifidobacterium longum 35624^® probiotic on the IBS course was demonstrated. There was a significant decrease in the severity of symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and stool disorders starting from the 14^th day of probiotic intake. At the same time, the severity of visceral hypersensitivity continued to decrease until the end of the probiotic intake, reaching its minimum value at the visit during the follow-up period (28 days after the last dose). The overall severity of IBS significantly decreased after 28 days of taking the probiotic, but its lowest value was observed 3 months (day 84) after the inclusion visit. At the inclusion visit, the severity of IBS corresponded to moderate and severe severity — 16 (38.1%) and 26 (61.9%) patients, respectively. After 56 days of taking the probiotic, 19 (47%) patients had mild IBS, and 21 (53%) had moderate IBS. After 84 days of follow-up, 15 (38%) patients had remission, 18 (45%) had mild IBS and only 7 (17%) — moderate severity. A similar ratio was maintained 28 days after the end of the probiotic intake. The analysis of life quality indicators using the IBS-QoL questionnaire also revealed a significant improvement on all scales during probiotic intake. Moreover, according to such scales as "Health concerns", "Food restrictions", "Body condition", "Sexuality", the indicators after 3 months of probiotic use were significantly higher than at the visit after 2 months. All changes were persistent by the time of the visit during the follow-up period (day 112).

Conclusions: the addition of Bifidobacterium longum 35624^® to basic therapy in patients with IBS demonstrated high efficacy with positive trend of IBS symptoms by the 14^th day of probiotic intake. The preservation and prolongation of a significant positive effect 28 days after the end of administration for the indicators of IBS symptoms, course severity and effect on the main indicators of life quality was shown.

Keywords: irritable bowel syndrome, probiotics, Bifidobacterium longum 35624^®, visceral hypersensitivity, visual-analog scale, life quality.

For citation: Solovyova O.I., Nekrasova A.S., Topalova Yu.G. et al. The effect of Bifidobacterium longum 35624® long-term intake on the symptoms and life quality of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: the results of an observational trial. RMJ. 2022;8:15–22.