Efficacy and Safety of Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2020, Vol 20, Issue 1
Abstract
Treatments that target alterations in gut microbiota may be beneficial for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted of randomised clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Factors considered in the analysis included global IBS symptoms and/or abdominal pain, secondary symptoms and the frequency of adverse events. A total of 33 RCTs involving 4,321 patients were identified. Overall, probiotics significantly improved global IBS symptoms compared to placebos (standardised mean difference = −0.32, 95% confidence interval: −0.48 to −0.15; P <0.001), with significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 72%; P <0.001). This remained apparent in both single- and multi-strain probiotic interventions as well as synbiotic formulations. However, evidence regarding prebiotics was scarce. There were no significant inter-group differences in terms of the frequency of adverse events. Future RCTs should address methodological limitations, including short follow-up periods and patient adherence.
Authors and Affiliations
Mohammad Z. Asha, Sundos F. H. Khalil
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP678530
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2020.20.01.003
- Views 269
- Downloads 0
Statin-Associated Muscle Adverse Events Update for clinicians
Statins are potent medications which reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Teir efcacy in cardiovascular risk reduction is well established and indications for their use are expanding. While statin...
Obstetrics and Gynaecology as a Future Career for Medical Graduates in Oman: Factors that attract and discourage graduates
Objectives: Obstetrics and gynaecology (OBGYN) is a major speciality in the medical field that is often demanding yet rewarding; however, OBGYN receives the least number of applicants in Oman. This study aimed to determi...
Pyogenic Granuloma and Arteriovenous Malformation
A44-year-old male patient presented to the Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal, India, in 2018 with a two-month history of a repeatedly bleeding, non-healing nodule over the tip of his left thumb following minor...
Blindness An uncommon presentation of colloid cysts
Te Relationship between Hysteroscopy, Endometrial Biopsy andTe Results of Transvaginal Sonography in Assessing Endometrial Polyps
Objective: Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) is being used in the investigation of postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). Te bleeding could be the result of a number of factors; endometrial polyps are one of the common findings in...