Patients with an Ileal Pouch
An Ileal pouch is a surgically created chamber in the small intestine commonly created for patients with ulcerative colitis. When the lining of the pouch becomes inflammed the condition is known as pouchitis. According to recent studies, 32% of all patients with Ileal pouch have had at least one episode of pouchitis. One of the common symptoms of pouchitis is abnormal stool frequency.
VSL#3® in the Dietary Management of an Ileal Pouch
The median stool frequency of pouch patients consuming VSL#3® on a daily basis progressively decreased ( P<0.01 at 3 months; P<0.001 at 6, 9, and 12 months)1. Further, the median Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) score improved significantly in patients consuming VSL#3® compared to those receiving placebo ( P<0.001)20.
VSL#3® in the Dietary Management of Pouchitis
VSL#3® is the only probiotic recognized as an effective tool for the dietary management of pouchitis by the American College of Gastroenterology32 and the German Association of Gastroenterology25. Three double blind, placebo controlled trials have been published which shows that VSL#3® aids in the dietary management of pouchitis.19,20,44
