07.02.12
Nutraceutical: Probiotics
Indication: Diarrhea (associated with antibiotic use)
Source: JAMA, May 9, 2012;307(18):1959-69.
Research: Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to confer a health benefit when consumed. One condition for which probiotics have been advocated is the diarrhea that is a common adverse effect of antibiotic use. To evaluate the evidence for probiotic use in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), researchers searched 12 electronic databases and identified parallel randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and/or Bacillus) for the prevention or treatment of AAD.
Results: A total of 82 RCTs met inclusion criteria. The majority used Lactobacillus-based interventions alone or in combination with other genera; strains were poorly documented. The pooled relative risk in a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis of 63 RCTs, which included 11,811 participants, indicated a statistically significant association of probiotic administration with reduction in AAD in trials reporting on the number of patients with AAD. This result was relatively insensitive to numerous subgroup analyses. However, there exists significant heterogeneity in pooled results and the evidence is insufficient to determine whether this association varies systematically by population, antibiotic characteristic or probiotic preparation. For now, researchers say, the pooled evidence suggests that probiotics are associated with a reduction in AAD. However, more research is needed to determine which probiotics are associated with the greatest efficacy and for which patients receiving which specific antibiotics.
Indication: Diarrhea (associated with antibiotic use)
Source: JAMA, May 9, 2012;307(18):1959-69.
Research: Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to confer a health benefit when consumed. One condition for which probiotics have been advocated is the diarrhea that is a common adverse effect of antibiotic use. To evaluate the evidence for probiotic use in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), researchers searched 12 electronic databases and identified parallel randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and/or Bacillus) for the prevention or treatment of AAD.
Results: A total of 82 RCTs met inclusion criteria. The majority used Lactobacillus-based interventions alone or in combination with other genera; strains were poorly documented. The pooled relative risk in a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis of 63 RCTs, which included 11,811 participants, indicated a statistically significant association of probiotic administration with reduction in AAD in trials reporting on the number of patients with AAD. This result was relatively insensitive to numerous subgroup analyses. However, there exists significant heterogeneity in pooled results and the evidence is insufficient to determine whether this association varies systematically by population, antibiotic characteristic or probiotic preparation. For now, researchers say, the pooled evidence suggests that probiotics are associated with a reduction in AAD. However, more research is needed to determine which probiotics are associated with the greatest efficacy and for which patients receiving which specific antibiotics.