Table 5.
Results of this meta-analysis and consistency of different outcomes.
| Results | Time | FMT group versus placebo group | FMT group versus its baseline | Placebo group versus its baseline | Consistency of conclusions #1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| donor stool FMT group versus placebo group | fecal microbiota capsule FMT group versus placebo group | donor stool FMT group versus its baseline | fecal microbiota capsule FMT group versus its baseline | autologous stool FMT group versus its baseline | Placebo capsule FMT group versus its baseline | stool FMT | capsule FMT | ||
| Clinical response rate | 3 months | √↑, 4 RCTs | ×, 1 RCT | - | – | - | – | - | – |
| 6 months | ×, 1 RCT | – | - | – | - | – | - | – | |
| 12 months | ×, 1 RCT | – | - | – | - | – | - | – | |
| 24 months | √↑, 1 RCT | – | - | – | - | – | - | – | |
| 36 months | √↑, 1 RCT | – | - | – | - | – | - | – | |
| IBS-SSS | 1 month | √↓, 2 RCTs | ×, 2 RCT | √↓, 2 RCTs | √↓, 2 RCT | ×, 2 RCTs | ×, 2 RCT | Yes | No |
| 3 months | √↓, 3 RCTs | ×*, 3 RCTs | √↓, 2 RCTs | √↓, 3 RCTs | ×, 2 RCTs | √↓, 3 RCTs | Yes | Yes | |
| 6 months | √↓, 1 RCTs | ×,1 RCT | – | ×, 1 RCT | – | √↓, 1 RCT | - | No | |
| 24 months | √↓, 1 RCTs | – | √↓, 1 RCTs | – | ×, 1 RCT | – | Yes | – | |
| 36 months | √↓, 1 RCTs | – | √↓, 1 RCTs | – | ×, 1 RCT | – | Yes | – | |
| IBS-QoL | 1 month | ×, 1 RCT | ×, 1 RCT | √↑, 1 RCT | ×, 1 RCT | ×, 1 RCT | √↑, 1 RCT | No | No |
| 3 months | √↑, 2 RCTs | ×, 2 RCTs | √↑, 2 RCTs | ×, 2 RCTs | ×, 2 RCTs | ×, 2 RCTs | Yes | Yes | |
| 6 months | - | – | - | – | - | – | - | – | |
| 24 months | √↑, 1 RCT | - | √↑, 1 RCT | - | ×, 1 RCT | - | Yes | - | |
| 36 months | √↑, 1 RCT | - | √↑, 1 RCT | - | ×, 1 RCT | - | Yes | - | |
| Abdominal pain | 3 months | √↓, 2 RCTs | ×, 1RCTs | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Frequency of stools | 3 months | √↓, 1RCTs | ×, 1RCTs | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Stool consistency | 3 months | √↓, 1RCTs | ×, 1RCTs | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Consistency of conclusions #2 | 1 month | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 3 months | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 6 months | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 12 months | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 24 months | Yes | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | |
| 36 months | Yes | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | |
√, The difference between the two groups compared in the table header was statistically significant; ×, The difference between the two groups compared in the table header was not statistically significant; ↑, The change trend of outcome was upward or increasing; ↓, The change trend of outcome was downward or decreasing. -, The change trend of outcome or the consistency cannot be evaluated.
*For capsule FMT (fecal bacteria capsule vs. placebo capsule), IBS-SSS scores in both the fecal bacteria capsule and placebo capsule groups were significantly lower than their baseline, resulting in no statistical difference in the final outcome between the two groups.
#1, the consistency of the change trend of vertical (FMT group versus placebo group) and horizontal (FMT group/placebo group versus baseline) comparison results of the same outcome at the same time point; #2, the consistency of clinical significance of different outcomes (IBS-SSS score, IBS-QOL score or clinical response rate) at the same time point.
Light green, indicating that the consistency of #1 or #2 in stool FMT group is Yes; Light red, indicating that the consistency of #1 or #2 in capsule FMT group is Yes;
Deep green, indicating that the consistency of both #1 and #2 in stool FMT group is Yes. Deep red, indicating that the consistency of both #1 and #2 in capsule FMT group is Yes.
IBS-SSS, irritable bowel syndrome severity scoring system; IBS-QoL, irritable bowel syndrome specific quality of life; FMT, fecal microbiota transplantation.