Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19: a rapid systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Although numerous modalities are currently in use for the treatment and prophylaxis of COVID-19, probiotics are a cost-effective alternative that could be used in diverse clinical settings. Hence, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the role of probiotics in preventing and treating COVID-19 infection. We searched several databases from inception to 30 May 2023 for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and comparative observational studies that evaluated probiotics (irrespective of the regimen) for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. We conducted our meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 with risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) as the effect measures. A total of 18 studies (11 RCTs and 7 observational studies) were included in our review. Probiotics reduced the risk of mortalit

SUBMITTER: Sohail A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10641770 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature