Controlled trial of oligofructose in the management of irritable bowel syndrome

A double-blind crossover trial of oligofructose (Raftilose P95) 2 g three times daily against sucrose (1 g) three times daily was performed in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Each treatment was followed for 4 wk. Patients consumed a standardized diet during the last 14 d of each treatment period, and symptoms were assessed using a previously validated questionnaire. Fecal weight and pH, whole-gut transit time and fasting breath hydrogen concentrations were measured at the start of the study and at the end of each treatment period. Oligofructose produced no significant change in any of these parameters even when patients were divided into those with predominant diarrhea (n = 14) and those with predominant constipation (n = 7). Oligofructose at a dose of 6 g/d had no therapeutic value in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.