Guar fibers and simethicone: a winning synergy for the treatment of IBS. An observational comparative study of irritable bowel symptoms

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects a substantial quote of adult subjects. Alternate bowel move-ments and flatulence are the prevalent symptoms in IBS patients. A new medical device containing partially hydrolyzed gum guar (PHGG) and simethicone is presently available also in Italy. The present preliminary experience explored its usefulness in IBS patients. METHODS: After a negative colonoscopy, IBS patients were subdivided into two groups: Group A took a two-month cycle of the MD, whereas Group B did not take the medical device (MD). However, all patients had a standard manage-ment (diet and medications). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measured the perception of symptom severity (abdominal pain, distention, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, and incomplete bowel movement). Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks. RESULTS: This preliminary experience included 50 patients (30 females and 20 males; mean age of 45.1 years). The medical device significantly reduced abdominal pain, distension, and flatulence in comparison with standard therapy alone (P<0.001, 0.042, and <0.01, respectively) after 8 weeks. Interestingly, abdominal distension was significantly im-proved just after 4 weeks (P=0.031). The treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The current preliminary experience showed that PHGG plus simethicone may represent an effective and safe add-on option in managing IBS patients. Therefore, this MD could be considered in the IBS management, main-ly concerning the pathophysiological role exerted by intestinal barrier alterations and the microbiota-host interaction.