The use of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in Europe: A Europe-wide survey

Baunwall SMD, Terveer EM, Dahlerup JF, Erikstrup C, Arkkila P, Vehreschild MJ, Ianiro G, Gasbarrini A, Sokol H, Kump PK, Satokari R, De Looze D, Vermeire S, Nakov R, Brezina J, Helms M, Kjeldsen J, Rode AA, Kousgaard SJ, Alric L, Trang-Poisson C, Scanzi J, Link A, Stallmach A, Kupcinskas J, Johnsen PH, Garborg K, Rodríguez ES, Serrander L, Brummer RJ, Galpérine KT, Goldenberg SD, Mullish BH, Williams HR, Iqbal TH, Ponsioen C, Kuijper EJ, Cammarota G, Keller JJ, Hvas CL (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Book Volume: 9

Article Number: 100181

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100181

Abstract

Background: Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging treatment modality, but its current clinical use and organisation are unknown. We aimed to describe the clinical use, conduct, and potential for FMT in Europe. Methods: We invited all hospital-based FMT centres within the European Council member states to answer a web-based questionnaire covering their clinical activities, organisation, and regulation of FMT in 2019. Responders were identified from trials registered at clinicaltrials.gov and from the United European Gastroenterology (UEG) working group for stool banking and FMT. Findings: In 2019, 31 FMT centres from 17 countries reported a total of 1,874 (median 25, quartile 10–64) FMT procedures; 1,077 (57%) with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) as indication, 791 (42%) with experimental indications, and 6 (0•3%) unaccounted for. Adjusted to population size, 0•257 per 100,000 population received FMT for CDI and 0•189 per 100,000 population for experimental indications. With estimated 12,400 (6,100–28,500) annual cases of multiple, recurrent CDI and indication for FMT in Europe, the current European FMT activity covers approximately 10% of the patients with indication. The participating centres demonstrated high safety standards and adherence to international consensus guidelines. Formal or informal regulation from health authorities was present at 21 (68%) centres. Interpretation: FMT is a widespread routine treatment for multiple, recurrent CDI and an experimental treatment. Embedded within hospital settings, FMT centres operate with high standards across Europe to provide safe FMT. A significant gap in FMT coverage suggests the need to raise clinical awareness and increase the FMT activity in Europe by at least 10-fold to meet the true, indicated need. Funding: NordForsk under the Nordic Council and Innovation Fund Denmark (j.no. 8056–00006B).

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Université Fédérale de Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées France (FR) Sjællands Universitetshospital, Roskilde Denmark (DK) University of Birmingham United Kingdom (GB) Hvidovre Hospital Denmark (DK) Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS Italy (IT) Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC) / Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra Netherlands (NL) Aalborg Universitetshospital Denmark (DK) Groupe Français de Transplantation Fécale (GFTF) France (FR) Nantes University Hospital / Centre hospitalier universitaire de Nantes (CHU) France (FR) University Hospital of North Norway / Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge (UNN) Norway (NO) Universitetssjukhuset i Linköping Sweden (SE) Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal Spain (ES) University Hospital Ghent Belgium (BE) Medizinische Universität Graz Austria (AT) Odense Universitetshospital (OUH) Denmark (DK) Guy's and St Thomas' (NHS Foundation Trust) United Kingdom (GB) Leiden University Medical Center Netherlands (NL) Aleksandrovska University Hospital / университетска болница "Александровска" Bulgaria (BG) Aarhus University Hospital / Aarhus Universitetshospital Denmark (DK) Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM) Czech Republic (CZ) Lithuanian University of Health Sciences / Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas (LSMU) Lithuania (LT) Oslo University Hospital / Oslo Universitetssykehus Rikshospitalet Norway (NO) Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main (KGU) Germany (DE) Hôpital Saint-Antoine France (FR) Imperial College London / The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine United Kingdom (GB) University of Turku / Turun yliopisto Finland (FI) Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven Belgium (BE) Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Jena Germany (DE) Helsinki University Central Hospital (HUCH) / Helsingin seudun yliopistollinen keskussairaala (HYKS) Finland (FI)

How to cite

APA:

Baunwall, S.M.D., Terveer, E.M., Dahlerup, J.F., Erikstrup, C., Arkkila, P., Vehreschild, M.J.,... Hvas, C.L. (2021). The use of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in Europe: A Europe-wide survey. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100181

MLA:

Baunwall, Simon Mark Dahl, et al. "The use of Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in Europe: A Europe-wide survey." The Lancet Regional Health - Europe 9 (2021).

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