Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40822387›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in microbiology2025

Fecal microbiota transplantation for chronic constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy, safety, and microbial dynamics.

Ke Wang, Chun Gao, Li Zhu, Min Chen, Yi Xin Tong, Sheng Zhang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in microbiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Constipation in critically ill adults.World journal of gastrointestinal pathophysiology · 2025
    Review
  8. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Ke WangThe Second Department of Surgery, Jiyuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiyuan, China.
Chun Gao *Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Li Zhu *Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Min ChenDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Yi Xin TongDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Sheng ZhangDepartment of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Chronic constipation, a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder with limited treatment efficacy in refractory cases, has prompted exploration of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a novel therapeutic strategy. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate the efficacy, safety, and gut microbial dynamics of FMT in adults with chronic constipation. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to January 2025, identifying 1,072 records. Nine studies ( Results: Fecal microbiota transplantation achieved a 50.7% pooled remission rate (95% CI: 38.7%-62.7%) and 64.8% improvement rate (95% CI: 51.4%-76.3%). Significant improvements were observed in stool consistency (MD = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05-1.35), quality of life (GIQLI MD = 32.19, 95% CI: 17.15-47.23), and symptom severity (Wexner MD = -4.83, 95% CI: -7.15-2.51). Post-FMT microbiota analyses revealed enrichment of beneficial taxa (Bifidobacterium, Prevotella; Firmicutesacteroidetes) and suppression of pro-inflammatory Enterobacteriaceae. Transient gastrointestinal adverse events (e.g., bloating: 17.3%) resolved spontaneously, with no severe complications reported. Conclusion: Fecal microbiota transplantation demonstrates clinically meaningful symptom relief and gut microbiota remodeling in chronic constipation, supported by favorable short-term safety. While heterogeneity in protocols and limited RCT data warrant caution, these findings advocate standardized FMT frameworks and confirmatory trials to optimize therapeutics for refractory constipation. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42025643634.

Indexed as

chronic constipationfecal microbiota transplantationgut microbiomemicrobiota remodelingrefractory constipation

Identifiers

PMID40822387
PMCPMC12350361

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.