Effects of Probiotics in Adults with Gastroenteritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials

Abstract

Probiotics have been widely used in gastroenteritis due to acute and chronic illnesses. However, evidence supporting the effectiveness of probiotics in different health conditions is inconclusive and conflicting. The aim of this study was to review the existing literature on the effects of probiotics on gastroenteritis among adults. Only original articles on clinical trials that demonstrated the effects of probiotics in adults with gastroenteritis were used for this analysis. Multiple databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE and Scopus databases, were searched for the data. The study followed standard procedures for data extraction using a PRISMA flow chart. A quality appraisal of the selected studies was conducted using CADIMA. Finally, a meta-analysis was performed. Thirty-five articles met the selection criteria; of them, probiotics were found effective in the treatment and/or prevention of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease in 17 (49%), and the treatment of pouchitis in 4 (11.4%), antibiotic-induced diarrhea in 3 (8.6%), Helicobacter pylori infection in 2 (5.7%) and diverticulitis in 1 (2.9%), while the remaining 7 (20%) were ineffective, and 1 study’s results were inconclusive. The meta-analysis did not demonstrate any significant protective effects of probiotics. Having a τ2 value of zero and I2 of 6%, the studies were homogeneous and had minimum variances. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the beneficial effects of probiotics in IBDs and other chronic bowel diseases.

Impact of probiotics on inflammatory bowel disease - a systematic review

“…Zocco showed that the use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG alone or in combination with mesalazine prolonged the duration of clinical remission in UC patients at one-year follow-up, compared to patients treated with mesalazine alone. [18] [29] Preliminary studies have shown that non-pathogenic S. boulardii yeast was effectively used to induce and maintain remission in patients with mild to moderate UC.…”

Effect of Mothers’ Application of Yogurt Probiotic Bacteria on Relieving their young Children’s Acute Gastroenteritis

“…Worldwide, around 1.5 to 2.5 million children die each year from diarrhea and dehydration that is caused by gastroenteritis (Hartman et al, 2019). Additionally, 68% of diarrheal disease occurs in young children globally as well as it is reported as the fifth leading killer of young children (Mitra et al, 2023;Hartman et al, 2019). Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the digestive tract that results in diarrhea, vomiting, or both, nausea, poor appetite, and other symptoms of digestive upset (abdominal cramps) could occur.…”

“…Severe gastroenteritis causes dehydration and electrolytes imbalance because of a loss of body fluids in the vomit and stool. Nearly three to five milliard episodes occur globally annually, most common in children under five years who habitat in countries where those children are more at risk, and often difficult to access care (Mitra et al, 2023;Hartman et al, 2019). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) dehydration is defined as a condition that results from excessive loss of body water.…”