Strain-specific and outcome-specific efficacy of probiotics for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Consistent guidance for choosing an appropriate probiotic for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is lacking.

Methods

Literature databases searched included: PubMed, Google Scholar and NIH registry of clinical trials from inception to June 2021. Inclusion criteria: randomized controlled trials (RCTs) enrolling adult or pediatric IBS patients comparing probiotics against controls and ≥ 2 RCTs with common IBS outcome measures within each type of probiotic. Five common measures of IBS symptoms (changes in global Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System or IBS-SSS scores, frequency of global responders, changes in bloating or abdominal pain scores and frequency of abdominal pain relief) were used. This study was registered at Prospero (#CRD42018109169).<

SUBMITTER: McFarland LV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8529205 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature