title: Patients' views on fecal microbiota transplantation: an acceptable therapeutic option in inflammatory bowel disease?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) represents a new therapeutic option that has been studied in two randomized-controlled trials in ulcerative colitis patients. Our study aimed to identify patients' views on the use of this novel therapeutic approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an anonymous questionnaire, we obtained data from 574 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients on their knowledge and willingness to undergo FMT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A large proportion of IBD patients (53.5%) are unaware that FMT is a therapeutic option in Clostridium difficile infection and potentially IBD. More responders preferred FMT (31.5%) to a study with a new medication (28.9%), although the difference was not significant (P=0.37), and the preferred way of transplantation was colonoscopy (49.7%). In all, 38.3% preferred a family member as a donor, but there was fear about the procedure (41.5% mentioned fear of infectious diseases, 26.5% expressed disgust). The knowledge of successful FMT treatment in other patients was important for 82.2% of responders and for 50.7%, a discussion with a specialist would likely change their opinion about FMT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FMT represents a therapeutic procedure that is of interest for IBD patients. As FMT has been receiving increasing interest as an alternative treatment in IBD and more studies on FMT in IBD are being carried out, it is important to learn about the knowledge, attitude, and preferences of patients to provide better education to patients on this topic. However, there are reservations because of the fact that data on the benefits of FMT in IBD are controversial and several limitations exist on the use of FMT in IBD.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Gastroenterology and Hepatology bDepartment of Hematology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich cDepartment of Gastroenterology, Triemli Hospital dDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hospital Bethanien, Zurich, Switzerland eDepartment of Gastroenterology, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeitz
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bissig
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barthel
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Biedermann
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scharl
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pohl
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frei
authors.forename: Stephan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Vavricka
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rogler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scharl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000382:microbiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000523:psychology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000382:microbiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D000069467:Fecal Microbiota Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D057240:Patient Preference; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution; D055815:Young Adult