title: The effects of regular consumption of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on digestive comfort of subjects with minor functional bowel disorders.
abstract: A comparative, randomised, double-blind trial was performed in the medical departments of five hospitals to study the effects of regular consumption of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on the digestive comfort of subjects with minor functional bowel disorders (FBD). In step 1, 2235 subjects were questioned to assess the incidence and intensity of digestive disorders. In step 2, 105 of these patients diagnosed with minor FBD were randomised into two groups to receive either 5 g sc-FOS or 5 g placebo (sucrose and maltodextrins) per d over a 6-week period. The incidence and intensity of digestive disorders were assessed at the end of the treatment period (day 43) using the step 1 questionnaires. A quality-of-life questionnaire was also completed at the start and end of the treatment period to assess potential effects on well-being and social performance. In step 1, 44 % of the subjects questioned presented FBD, of whom 57.1 % suffered from minor FBD. In step 2, on day 43, the intensity of digestive disorders decreased by 43.6 % in the sc-FOS group v. a 13.8 % increase in the placebo group (P = 0.026). Symptoms were experienced less frequently by 75.0 % of subjects in the sc-FOS group, while 53.8 % of controls experienced no change (P = 0.064). Using the functional digestive disorders quality of life questionnaire, the discomfort item scores increased in the sc-FOS group (P = 0.031). However, expressed as change in quality of life (improvement, worsening or unchanged), daily activities were significantly improved in the sc-FOS group (P = 0.022). Regular consumption of sc-FOS may improve digestive comfort in a working population not undergoing medical treatment.
authors: Nutri-Health SA, Immeuble Ampère, 8 rue Eugène et Armand Peugeot, 92566 Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, France.
authors: Damien
authors: D
authors: Paineau
authors: Flore
authors: F
authors: Payen
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: Panserieu
authors: Geneviève
authors: G
authors: Coulombier
authors: Annie
authors: A
authors: Sobaszek
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Lartigau
authors: Marylène
authors: M
authors: Brabet
authors: Jean-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Galmiche
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Tripodi
authors: Sylvie
authors: S
authors: Sacher-Huvelin
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Chapalain
authors: Othar
authors: O
authors: Zourabichvili
authors: Frédérique
authors: F
authors: Respondek
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Wagner
authors: Francis R J
authors: FR
authors: Bornet
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004063:Digestion / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009844:Oligosaccharides; D005632:Fructose