Clinical Response of Rifaximin Treatment in Patients with Abdominal Bloating.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Abdominal bloating is a troublesome complaint due to insufficient understanding of the pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of rifaximin in reducing bloating associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

METHODS:

A total of 63 patients were treated with rifaximin for FGIDs with bloating or gas-related symptoms between 2007 and 2013 at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Rifaximin was administered at a dose between 800 mg/day and 1,200 mg/day for 5 to 14 days. The proportion of patients who had adequate relief of global FGID symptoms and FGID-related bloating was retrospectively assessed. The response was recorded when the symptoms were reduced by at least 50% at the follow-up after treatment cessation.

RESULTS:

The mean age was 56.8±14.2 years; 49.2% were females. According to Rome III criteria, 20.6% (13/63) had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation, 9.5% (6/63) had IBS with diarrhea, 4.8% (3/63) had mixed IBS, 23.8% (15/63) had functional dyspepsia, and 12.7% (8/63) had functional bloating. Of the 51 subjects who were followed-up, 30 (58.8%) had adequate relief of global FGID symptoms and 26 (51.0%) experienced improvement of abdominal bloating after rifaximin treatment. The proportion of female was slightly higher in non-response group than in the response group (60.0% vs. 34.6%, p=0.069). Otherwise, there was no difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite the limitations of this retrospective study, our data confirms that rifaximin may be beneficial for abdominal bloating. Further prospective clinical trial with a larger cohort is needed.

• Authors: Kichul Yoon, Nayoung Kim, Ju Yup Lee, Dong Hyun Oh, A Young Seo, Chang Yong Yun, Hyuk Yoon, Cheol Min Shin, Young Soo Park, Dong Ho Lee
• Journal: The Korean journal of gastroenterology = Taehan Sohwagi Hakhoe chi (Korean J Gastroenterol) Vol. 72 Issue 3 Pg. 121-127 (Sep 25 2018) ISSN: 2233-6869 [Electronic] Korea (South)
• PMID: 30270593 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Gastrointestinal Agents
• Rifaximin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Child
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Gastrointestinal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Gastrointestinal Diseases (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Rifaximin (therapeutic use)
• Young Adult