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

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.