Rifaximin Reduces the Complications of Decompensated Cirrhosis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Cirrhosis Clinical Trial

Official title: Rifaximin Reduces the Complications of Decompensated Cirrhosis

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

Cirrhotic patients are predisposed to intestinal dysmotility, bacterial overgrowth, and increased intestinal permeability all leading to an increase in bacterial translocation and increased endotoxemia. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that is virtually non-absorbed after oral administration and exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract. It has been suggested that oral prophylactic antibiotics or bowel decontamination might improve long-term outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of rifaximin on the complications of advanced cirrhosis.

Clinical Trial Description

Cirrhotic patients are predisposed to intestinal dysmotility, bacterial overgrowth, and increased intestinal permeability all leading to an increase in bacterial translocation and increased endotoxemia. Cirrhotics with bacterial translocation and endotoxemia manifest hemodynamic derangement with lower systemic vascular resistance, higher cardiac output, and lower mean arterial pressure. Moreover, endotoxins may increase portal pressure by increasing vascular resistance which may be promoted through the cytokine-stimulated intrahepatic release of endothelin and cyclo-oxygenase products.

Indeed, bacterial infections are common in cirrhotic patients and have approximately 30% mortality at one month and a further 30% mortality at 12 months as documented in a systematic review comprising almost 12 000 patients. It follows that altering gut flora to decrease endotoxin levels may lead to improved prognosis in cirrhosis. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that is virtually non-absorbed after oral administration and exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract. It has been suggested that oral prophylactic antibiotics or bowel decontamination might improve long-term outcomes in patients with cirrhosis, not only by reducing the risk of infections but also by reducing hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG).

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of rifaximin on the complications of advanced cirrhosis. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cirrhosis
• Fibrosis
• Liver Cirrhosis

• NCT number: NCT02190357
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Shanghai Changzheng Hospital
• Contact: Wei-Fen Xie, MD
• Phone: 86-21-81885341
• Email: coss2008@yeah.net
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: August 2014
• Completion date: August 2019