Effect of KiwiBiotic on functional constipation and related symptoms: A prospective, single-center, randomized, comparative, crossover study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Functional constipation (FC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and bloating, which can greatly affect the quality of life of patients. Conventional treatments often yield suboptimal results, leading to the exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches. AIM To evaluate the efficacy of KiwiBiotic in the management of FC and related symptoms. METHODS This prospective, interventional, single-center, crossover study compared the safety and effectiveness of KiwiBiotic® vs psyllium husk in managing FC, abdominal pain, and bloating. Participants diagnosed with FC were randomly assigned to receive KiwiBiotic or psyllium husk during the two treatment periods, with a 14-day washout period between them. RESULTS Seventy participants were enrolled, 32 of whom received KiwiBiotic followed by psyllium husk, and 33 received KiwiBiotic. KiwiBiotic showed superiority over psyllium husk in alleviating abdominal pain and bloating, as evidenced by significantly lower mean scores. Furthermore, KiwiBiotic resulted in more than 90.0% of patients experiencing relief from various constipation symptoms, while psyllium husk showed comparatively lower efficacy. CONCLUSION KiwiBiotic is an effective treatment option for FC, abdominal pain, and bloating, highlighting its potential as a promising alternative therapy for patients with FC and its associated symptoms.