Using probiotics in clinical practice: Where are we now? A review of existing meta-analyses

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,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gut microbes 2017-11, Vol.8 (6), p.521-543
Main Authors: Rondanelli, Mariangela, Faliva, Milena Anna, Perna, Simone, Giacosa, Attilio, Peroni, Gabriella, Castellazzi, Anna Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
cardiovascular disease
Clinical Studies as Topic - standards
diabetes
Diarrhea - chemically induced
Diarrhea - therapy
Evidence-Based Practice - standards
Evidence-Based Practice - trends
gastrointestinal disease
Humans
infections
Meta-Analysis as Topic
obesity
probiotics
Probiotics - therapeutic use
Respiratory Tract Infections - therapy
Review
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1949-0976
1949-0984
DOI:10.1080/19490976.2017.1345414