Caecal pH as a Biomarker for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2016-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Irritable bowel syndrome is common. Currently, it is a diagnosis of exclusion. There is
increasing evidence of the importance of the microbiota in the pathophysiology of this
disorder. However, it has been challenging to measure the "activity" of the microbiota in
vivo as much of the GI tract is inaccessible. Fermentation by the microbiota occurs in the
colon, a by product of which are short chain fatty acids. Measuring pH in the colon could
potentially act as a surrogate marker of fermentation. The investigators are undertaking a
randomised controlled trial in patients with IBS measuring the pH in the digestive tract
using a wireless motility capsule at baseline and in response to dietary changes in patients
with diarrhoea predominant IBS and in response to linaclotide in those with constipation
predominant IBS to ascertain the effect of these interventions on the microbiota and clinical
outcomes.