Randomised clinical trial: high-dose oral thiamine versus placebo for chronic fatigue in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#colitis #fatigue-syndrome-chronic #humans #inflammatory-bowel-diseases #pilot-projects

Randomised clinical trial: high-dose oral thiamine versus placebo for chronic fatigue in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease

Bager et al., 2021 | Aliment Pharmacol Ther | Rct

Citation

Bager Palle, Hvas Christian Lodberg, ... Dahlerup Jens Frederik. Randomised clinical trial: high-dose oral thiamine versus placebo for chronic fatigue in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2021-Jan;53(1):79-86. doi:10.1111/apt.16166

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a burdensome symptom for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Few pharmacological interventions have documented effect on fatigue in patients with IBD. A pilot study indicated a 20-day effect  with high-dose thiamine. AIMS: To investigate the effect and safety of high-dose oral thiamine (600-1800 mg/d) based on gender and weight on chronic fatigue in patients with quiescent IBD. METHODS: This was a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Patients had quiescent IBD, severe chronic fatigue and no other explanation for fatigue. Patients were allocated 1:1 to either 1) high-dose oral thiamine for 4 weeks, 4 weeks of washout, 4 weeks of oral placebo or 2) oral placebo for 4 weeks, 4 weeks of washout, 4 weeks of high-dose oral thiamine. Fatigue was measured using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Fatigue Questionnaire. The primary outcome was improvement (≥3 points) of fatigue after 4 weeks on thiamine. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled between November 2018 and October 2019. Crossover analysis showed a mean reduction of 4.5 points (95% CI 2.6-6.2) in fatigue after thiamine compared with a mean increase of 0.75 point (95% CI -1.3-2.8; P = 0.0003) after placebo. Furthermore, 55% of group 1 and 75% of group 2 showed an improvement ≥ 3 points while on thiamine compared with 25% of group 1 and 35% of group 2 while on placebo. Only mild side effects were detected. CONCLUSION: We showed a significant beneficial effect of high-dose oral thiamine on chronic fatigue in IBD. The treatment was well tolerated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03634735.

Key Findings

Forty patients were enrolled between November 2018 and October 2019. Crossover analysis showed a mean reduction of 4.5 points (95% CI 2.6-6.2) in fatigue after thiamine compared with a mean increase of 0.75 point (95% CI -1.3-2.8; P = 0.0003) after placebo. Furthermore, 55% of group 1 and 75% of group 2 showed an improvement ≥ 3 points while on thiamine compared with 25% of group 1 and 35% of group 2 while on placebo. Only mild side effects were detected.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population inflammatory bowel disease
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Colitis
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
  • Pilot Projects
  • Thiamine

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: thiamine-energy

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09