Physician and patient perceptions of fecal microbiota transplant for recurrent or refractory in the first 6 years of a central stool bank.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective therapy for recurrent or refractory infection (rCDI). Despite inclusion in society guidelines, the uptake of FMT therapy has been variable. Physician and patient attitudes may be a barrier to evidence-based uptake of therapies; however, data assessing attitudes regarding FMT for rCDI are limited.

METHODS

The South Australian FMT for CDI database prospectively recorded patient outcomes of FMT for CDI from August 2013 to January 2019. A total of 93 consecutive patients who underwent FMT for rCDI in South Australia were invited to participate in a 20-question survey regarding the patient experience of FMT. All gastroenterologists and infectious disease physicians practicing in South Australia were invited to participate in an online survey comprised of 22 questions that addressed referral experience, indications for referral, perceived risks, and regulation and funding.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients (54/93, 58%) returned the survey, of whom 52 (96%) would recommend FMT to others, and 51 (94%) were satisfied with treatment outcome. Fifty physicians returned the online survey (50/100, 50%), of whom 23 (46%) were concerned about disease transmission risk, and 15 (30%) believed that the risk of FMT would outweigh the benefit. Infectious diseases physicians and advanced trainees had significantly greater concern regarding the potential alteration of the microbiome than gastroenterology physicians and advanced trainees (8/17 (47%) 6/33 (18%); = 0.047).

CONCLUSION

Despite high levels of patient-reported satisfaction following FMT, physician-reported reservations exist and may present a barrier to uptake of this therapy.