Probiotic (VSL #3) for Gulf War Illness

Study Results

Results available

Outcome measurements, participant flow, baseline characteristics, and adverse events have been published for this study.

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2/PHASE3

Total Enrollment

29 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2013-09-30

Study Completion Date

2016-07-31

Brief Summary

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The overall objective is to determine whether VSL #3 will improve 1) intestinal symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and 2) non-intestinal symptoms (fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, general stiffness and headache) associated with IBS. All of these symptoms are part of the Gulf War (GW) illness.

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Detailed Description

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Specific Aims:

Aim # 1: Determine the efficacy of VSL #3 on IBS symptoms in GW veterans.

Hypothesis: Treatment with VSL #3 compared to placebo will improve global and individual symptoms of IBS

Aim #2 Determine the efficacy VSL #3 in reducing non-intestinal symptoms of IBS (fatigue, joint pain, insomnia, general stiffness and headache).

Hypothesis: Treatment with VSL #3 compared to placebo will improve non-intestinal symptoms of IBS in GW veterans.

Aim #3 Determine whether changes in gut flora and plasma cytokines correlate with treatment response in GW veterans.

Conditions

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Gulf War Illness

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Placebo

Placebo (not an active drug/ Inactive component) is given to this group

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

This is a pill with inactive ingredients.

VSL #3

VSL #3 (probiotic mixture) is given to this group

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

VSL#3

Intervention Type DRUG

This is a probiotic mixture

Interventions

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VSL#3

This is a probiotic mixture

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo

This is a pill with inactive ingredients.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Placebo/ Sugar pill

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. First GW veterans, Men and women age 35-75 years,
2. Rome III criteria for IBS and two or more of the non-intestinal symptoms (chronic-once a week or more often-fatigue, joint pains, insomnia, general stiffness, and headache)
3. Symptoms of \> 6 months duration,
4. No significant findings on physical examination, Complete Blood Count (CBC) and clinical chemistry panel.
5. Normal gross appearance of the colonic mucosa other than erythema and polyps
6. Negative Tissue transglutaminase (TTG) for celiac disease,
7. Normal thyroid function.
8. Veterans with psychological disorders will not be excluded but will be identified for sub-group analysis.
9. Stable medication regimen for more than a month

Exclusion Criteria

1. Current evidence of any lower gastrointestinal disorder such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease
2. History of/or presence of systemic malignancy (patients with skin and other cancers in remission for more than 5 years are allowed in the study
3. Clinically significant chronic disease: HIV, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic or renal dysfunction.
4. Presence of Giardia antigen, and Clostridium difficile toxin in stool,
5. Abnormal blood test for thyroid stimulating hormone, tissue transglutaminase antibody
6. Current effects of drug or alcohol abuse
7. Investigator perception of patient's inability to comply with study protocol
8. Recent change in gastrointestinal medications
9. Use of any antibiotic in the last 1 months
10. Positive pregnancy test
11. Subject is currently participating in another research protocol that could interfere or influence the outcome measures of the present study.

Minimum Eligible Age

35 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

75 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No