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Meta-Analysis
. 2016 Jun 13;11(6):e0157259.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157259. eCollection 2016.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yanqiang Shi  1 , Yiwei Dong  1 , Wenhui Huang  1 , Decong Zhu  1 , Hua Mao  2 , Peizhu Su  2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yanqiang Shi et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been recognized as a novel treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear.

Objective: We conducted this systematic review to assess the efficacy and safety of FMT in UC.

Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science Core Collection, and three other Chinese databases were searched for reports of FMT in UC with clear outcomes.

Data extraction and synthesis: We estimated pooled rates [with 95% confidence interval (CI)] of clinical remission among 15 cohort studies and clinical response among 16 cohort studies.

Results: Twenty five studies (2 randomized controlled trials, 15 cohort studies, and 8 case studies) with 234 UC patients were included. Overall, 41.58% (84/202) patients achieved clinical remission (CR) and 65.28% (126/193) achieved clinical response. Among the cohort studies, the pooled estimate of patients who achieved CR and clinical response were 40.5% (95% CI 24.7%-58.7%), and 66.1% (95% CI 43.7%-83.0%). Most adverse events were slight and self-resolving. The analyses of gut microbiota in 7 studies showed that FMT could increase microbiota diversity and richness, similarity, and certain change of bacterial composition.

Conclusion: FMT provides a promising effect for UC with few adverse events. Successful FMT may be associated with an increase in microbiota diversity and richness, similarity, and certain change of bacterial composition.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow chart of studies of fecal microbiota transplantation in ulcerative colitis.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Forest plot of all cohort studies in clinical remission.
Pooled estimate of 40.5% (95% CI 24.7%-60.4%).
Fig 3
Fig 3. Forest plot of all cohort studies in clinical response.
Pooled estimate of 66.1% (95% CI 43.7%-83.0%).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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