Biol Res Nurs. 2021 Jul;23(3):471-480.doi: 10.1177/1099800420984543. Epub 2021 Jan 8.

Kendra J Kamp ¹, Anna M Plantinga ¹, Kevin C Cain ¹, Robert L Burr ¹, Pamela Barney ¹, Monica Jarrett ¹, Ruth Ann Luna ², Tor Savidge ², Robert Shulman ², Margaret M Heitkemper ¹

Author information

¹University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

²Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Changes in diet and lifestyle factors are frequently recommended for persons with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is unknown whether these recommendations alter the gut microbiome and/or whether baseline microbiome predicts improvement in symptoms and quality of life following treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore if baseline gut microbiome composition predicted response to a Comprehensive Self-Management (CSM) intervention and if the intervention resulted in a different gut microbiome composition compared to usual care.

Methods: Individuals aged 18-70 years with IBS symptoms ≥6 months were recruited using convenience sampling. Individuals were excluded if medication use or comorbidities would influence symptoms or microbiome. Participants completed a baseline assessment and were randomized into the eight-session CSM intervention which included dietary education and cognitive behavioral therapy versus usual care. Questionnaires included demographics, quality of life, and symptom diaries. Fecal samples were collected at baseline and 3-month post-randomization for 16S rRNA-based microbiome analysis.

Results: Within the CSM intervention group (n = 30), Shannon diversity, richness, and beta diversity measures at baseline did not predict benefit from the CSM intervention at 3 months, as measured by change in abdominal pain and quality of life. Based on both alpha and beta diversity, the change from baseline to follow-up microbiome bacterial taxa did not differ between CSM (n = 25) and usual care (n = 25).

Conclusions and inferences: Baseline microbiome does not predict symptom improvement with CSM intervention. We do not find evidence that the CSM intervention influences gut microbiome diversity or composition over the course of 3 months.