Faecal microbiota transplantation and the patient experience: A systematic review
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
Published on: April 6, 2022
Jessica Guilfoyle1, Julie Considine1,2,3, Stéphane L Bouchoucha1,2
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., Australia.
Aim:
To review and synthesise the literature examining the patients' experience of faecal microbiota transplantation.
Background:
Faecal microbiota transplantation is a common treatment for many conditions, including Clostridium Difficile infections. Patients' experience of treatments is an important influence on clinical decision-making and treatment adherence.
Design:
The PRISMA guidelines guided this systematic review. The review was registered with PROSPERO [CRD42020140446].
Method:
A search of Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medline and Embase was conducted for studies published in English and French up to June 2020. Risk of bias was examined using Critical Appraisal Skills Program tools, and quality appraisal was performed independently by three reviewers. Primary outcome of interest was the patient experience of faecal microbiota transplantation. Data were synthesised using a narrative approach.
Results:
The search identified 3316 citations, and 12 studies were included. Methodological quality of studies was moderate to low quality. Few studies have accurately explored the patients' experience of faecal microbiota transplantation: most focus on clinical outcomes or hypothetical scenarios regarding the patients' perspectives of faecal microbiota transplantation. Only one study was identified where the sole focus was the patients' experience of faecal microbiota transplantation. Patient's experience of faecal microbiota transplantation was diverse and complex with physiological and psychological components dependent on the patient's medical condition, the administration method and the efficacy.
Conclusion:
Patients did not find faecal microbiota transplantation unappealing; however, patients equally reported the procedural experience was unpleasant. Limited results and low quality evidence suggest that further evaluation of the patient experience of faecal microbiota transplantation would be beneficial.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Identifying the patients' experience of faecal microbiota transplantation may inform recommendations regarding alternate treatment therapies and enable opportunities to provide quality care for patients that require faecal microbiota transplantation.
Insights
Patients undergoing fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) report diverse experiences, finding the procedure unpleasant despite not deeming it unappealing. Further research is needed to understand patient perspectives for improved care.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiome Research
- Patient Experience Studies
Background:
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a recognized treatment for conditions like Clostridium Difficile infections.
- Understanding patient experience is crucial for treatment adherence and clinical decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on patients' experiences with fecal microbiota transplantation.
- To identify key themes and factors influencing patient perspectives on FMT.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across CINAHL, Medline, and Embase databases up to June 2020.
- PRISMA guidelines were followed, with quality appraisal using CASP tools by three independent reviewers.
- Narrative synthesis was employed to analyze data from 12 included studies.
Main Results:
- The review identified 12 studies of moderate to low methodological quality.
- Few studies focused solely on patient experience; most emphasized clinical outcomes or hypothetical scenarios.
- Patient experiences were complex, encompassing physiological and psychological aspects influenced by medical condition, administration method, and efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Patients generally did not find FMT unappealing but reported the procedure itself as unpleasant.
- Limited and low-quality evidence highlights the need for further research into patient experiences with FMT.
- Understanding patient perspectives can inform alternative therapies and enhance care quality for FMT recipients.
Related Concept Videos
01:50What is Monogastric Digestion?
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.