Using probiotics in clinical practice: Where are we now? A review of existing meta-analyses. (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rondanelli, Mariangela; Faliva, Milena Anna; Perna, Simone; Giacosa, Attilio; Peroni, Gabriella; Castellazzi, Anna Maria
• Is Part Of: Gut microbes. Volume 8:Isuse 6(2017)
• Page Start: 521
• Page End: 543
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: cardiovascular disease -- diabetes -- gastrointestinal disease -- infections -- obesity -- probiotics; Gastrointestinal system -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; Intestine, Small -- Periodicals; 616.3
• DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2017.1345414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1949-0984

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The scientific literature has demonstrated that probiotics have a broad spectrum of activity, although often the results are contradictory. This study provides a critical overview of the current meta-analyses that have evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in physiologic and pathological conditions, such as metabolic disease, antibiotic-associated and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, IBS, constipation, IBD, chemotherapy-associated diarrhea, respiratory tract infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, NAFLD, liver encephalopathy, periodontitis, depression, vaginosis, urinary tract infections, pancreatitis, incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, hospital infection and stay in ICU, mortality of post-trauma patients, necrotising enterocolitis in premature infants. Only for antibiotic- and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, and respiratory tract infections the effects of probiotics are considered "evidence-based." Concerning other fields, meta-analyses lacks to define type and biologic effect of probiotic strains, as well as the outcome in a disease state. Therefore, the results presented should be a stimulus for further studies which will provide clinical recommendations.