Long-term follow-up of the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation in combination with soluble dietary fiber as a therapeutic regimen in slow transit constipation

As some studies have reported that strategies targeting the gut microbiota such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) with or without other microecological therapy might have efficacy in treating slow transit constipation (STC), we conducted a single-center, open-label trial to study the long-term effect of FMT combined with soluble dietary fiber (pectin) on STC. Thirty-one adult patients with STC were enrolled into the trial. Patients received 6-day FMT procedures repeatedly for the first 3 months and soluble dietary fiber (pectin) daily during the follow-up. The rate of clinical remission and improvement, stool consistency, the Wexner constipation scale, and assessment of constipation-related symptoms were evaluated at week 4 and 1 year later. The clinical remission and improvement rates at week 4 were 69.0% (20/29) and 75.9% (22/29), respectively. At the end of the study, 48.3% (14/29) of patients continued to have at least three complete spontaneous bowel movements per week and 58.6% (17/29) of patients showed clinical improvements. Stool consistency, the Wexner constipation scale, and constipation symptoms improved both at short-term and long-term follow-up. The results indicated that FMT in combination with soluble dietary fiber (pectin) had both short-term and long-term efficacy in treating STC.