A probiotic mixture alleviates symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients: a controlled 6‐month intervention

Summary Background : Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown aetiology. The effect of probiotics in this syndrome remains unclear. Aim : To investigate whether a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 and Pro...

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Published in:Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2005-09, Vol.22 (5), p.387-394
Main Authors: KAJANDER, K., HATAKKA, K., POUSSA, T., FÄRKKILÄ, M., KORPELA, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Defecation
Digestive system
Double-Blind Method
Female
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
Humans
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - physiopathology
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - therapy
Lactobacillus
Life Style
Male
Medical Records
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Other diseases. Semiology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Probiotics - therapeutic use
Propionibacterium
Quality of Life
Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Summary Background : Irritable bowel syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder of unknown aetiology. The effect of probiotics in this syndrome remains unclear. Aim : To investigate whether a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 and Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Methods : A total of 103 patients fulfilling the Rome I or II criteria took part in this 6‐month, randomized, double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial. The patients received a probiotic capsule or a placebo capsule daily. Gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel habits were recorded. Results : At the end the total symptom score (abdominal pain + distension + flatulence + borborygmi) was 7.7 (95% CI: −13.9 to −1.6) points lower in the probiotic group (P = 0.015). This represents a median reduction of 42% in the symptom score of the probiotic group compared with 6% in the placebo group. In individual symptoms, borborygmi was milder in the probiotic group (P = 0.008), and for the rest of the symptoms there was a non‐significant trend. Conclusions : The results indicate that this probiotic mixture is effective in alleviating irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Considering the high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and the lack of effective therapies, even a slight reduction in symptoms could have positive public health consequences.
ISSN:0269-2813
1365-2036
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02579.x