Patient knowledge of gut microbiota and acceptability of fecal microbiota transplantation in various diseases

Background Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is now evaluated in various diseases. However, large-scale population treatment may encounter feasibility issues in terms of acceptance. We aim to evaluate patient knowledge of gut microbiota and the acceptability of FMT in various diseases. Methods Patients of Carenity's French online community were invited by email to participate in a questionnaire. The following parameters were assessed: patient's principal illness and duration, demographic data, therapeutics, dietary habits, knowledge of gut microbiota, probiotics and FMT, and its acceptability. Key Results In total, 877 patients participated in the online questionnaire: 156 with inflammatory bowel disease (17.8%), 127 with rheumatoid arthritis (14.5%), 222 with ankylosing spondylitis (25.3%), 52 with lupus (5.9%), 64 with psoriasis (7.3%), 61 with obesity (7%), and 195 with type 2 diabetes (22.2%). Characteristics of participating patients were similar to those of the entire cohort (n = 23084). Overall, 47.1% (n = 413/877) of patients knew what the microbiota is with no difference among diseases. Knowledge was reported to be developed by patients themselves (203/413; 49.2%) without involving a healthcare professional. If proposed by a healthcare professional, 37.2% (326/877) reported being interested or very interested in undergoing FMT. Factors associated with good acceptability of FMT were the male sex (OR: 1.63, CI95% [1.14 to 2.32]), previous knowledge of FMT (OR: 4.16, CI95% [2.92 to 5.96]), and previous knowledge of gut microbiota (OR: 1.54, CI95% [1.05 to 2.24]). Conclusion and Inferences Knowledge of gut microbiota is still limited in patients' communities and mainly developed by patients themselves, impacting FMT acceptability.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate patient knowledge of gut microbiota and the acceptability of FMT in various diseases. The results showed that patients' knowledge of gut microbiota is limited and mainly developed by themselves, impacting the acceptability of FMT. However, if proposed by healthcare professionals, 37.2% of patients reported being interested in undergoing FMT. Factors associated with good acceptability of FMT were male sex, previous knowledge of FMT, and previous knowledge of gut microbiota.