A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of fecal microbiome transplantation in patients with severe alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Background: Severe alcohol-associated hepatitis (sAH) has a high short-term mortality, with limited treatment options. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown benefits in small, uncontrolled studies.

Objective: Perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide updated evidence on the efficacy and safety of FMT in sAH patients.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched till 4 December 2023 for studies comparing FMT with standard of care (SOC) in sAH patients. Sensitivity analysis (leave-one-out method) and subgroup analyses were performed. Pooled risk ratio (RR) was used to compare the survival outcomes.

Results: Eight studies with 444 patients (FMT: 218; SOC: 226) met the eligibility criteria and were included in this meta-analysis. The 28- and 90-day survival range was higher in the FMT group (75-100% and 53-87%) compared to the SOC group (48-80% and 25-56%). The random-effects model showed a statistically significant increase in survival in the FMT arm at 28 days [RR (95% confidence interval) 2.30 (1.24-4.28), P = 0.01] and 90 days [2.53 (1.34-4.77), P < 0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant change in survival at the 6-month [1.89 (0.89-4.05), P = 0.10] and the 12-month time [1.86 (0.68-5.08), P = 0.23]. Sensitivity analysis showed no major changes in the overall effect sizes, and subgroup analysis showed that the survival benefit was restricted only to the retrospective studies. No serious treatment-related adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: FMT is a safe and efficacious treatment option that improves short-term survival in sAH patients, without major adverse events. A multicentre randomized controlled trial with an adequate sample size is required to confirm these findings.