Management of Post-Colonoscopy Syndrome with a Nutraceutical Intervention Based on Hericium erinaceus: A Retrospective Two-Arm Multicentre Analysis

TL;DR

This study found that a nutraceutical supplement may reduce gastrointestinal symptoms after colonoscopy, offering potential benefits for managing post-colonoscopy syndrome.

Contribution

The study evaluates a novel nutraceutical compound combining Hericium erinaceus, butyrate, and probiotics for managing post-colonoscopy syndrome.

Findings

Patients receiving the nutraceutical supplement reported significantly fewer gastrointestinal symptoms compared to controls.

The supplement was associated with reduced abdominal pain, meteorism, diarrhea, and bloating after colonoscopy.

Logistic regression analysis showed significant reductions in constipation and bloating scores in the treated group.

Abstract

Background: Post-colonoscopy syndrome is an emerging clinical entity characterised by the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms following a colonoscopy. The current management of this syndrome has not yet been established, although probiotics have been proposed. The therapeutic potential of a combination nutraceutical compound based on HBQ-Complex®, butyrate, and probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) in this setting remains unknown. Methods: A retrospective, multicentre, observational study was conducted in adult patients undergoing colonoscopy in the absence of known gastrointestinal diseases, assessing the onset of upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms post-colonoscopy immediately after the procedure (T0), at 2 weeks (T1), and 4 weeks (T2) thereafter, using a VAS (0–10). Two groups were analysed, one undergoing nutraceutical supplementation and a control group. Results: A total of 599 patients were included (64.9% receiving nutraceutical supplementation and 35% in the control group). Several variations were observed involving the treated group compared to the control for abdominal pain (59.9% vs. 33.3%), meteorism (64.9% vs. 35.1%), diarrhoea (46.9% vs. 19.5%), and bloating (59.3% vs. 26.7%) (p < 0.001 for all). Logistic regression analysis showed a reduction in constipation (OR: 3.344) and bloating (OR: 3.791) scores. Conclusions: Nutraceutical supplementation based on this combinational compound was associated with a reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms arising after colonoscopy, suggesting potential benefit in this setting. These findings pose a rationale for controlled prospective studies to confirm such evidence in broader clinical settings.

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