The effect of multistrain probiotics on functional constipation in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectives Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions, particularly among older individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selected multistrain probiotics on functional constipation and laboratory blood parameters in the elderly living...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of clinical nutrition 2022-12, Vol.76 (12), p.1675-1681
Main Authors: Šola, Katarina Fehir, Vladimir-Knežević, Sanda, Hrabač, Pero, Mucalo, Iva, Saso, Luciano, Verbanac, Donatella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
692/308/2779/777
692/700/1518
692/700/459/1994
Aged
Bifidobacterium animalis
Blood
Clinical Nutrition
Constipation
Constipation - drug therapy
Constipation - microbiology
Dietary supplements
Double-Blind Method
Epidemiology
Feces - microbiology
Female
Humans
Internal Medicine
Laboratories
Lactobacilli
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Metabolic Diseases
Older people
Parameters
Placebos
Probiotics
Probiotics - therapeutic use
Public Health
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Summary:Background and objectives Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions, particularly among older individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selected multistrain probiotics on functional constipation and laboratory blood parameters in the elderly living in a nursing home. Subjects and methods Sixty participants (42 females and 18 males) aged 77.9 ± 8.84 years with functional constipation, who met the eligibility criteria, completed the study. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, each participant was randomized to receive either the selected probiotic mixture ( N  = 28) or placebo ( N  = 32) for 12 weeks as an adjunct to their usual diet and medications. The liquid probiotic formulation containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLC1, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA3 and Lactobacillus casei BGP93 was tested for the first time. Results Supplementation of selected probiotics resulted in a slight but nonsignificant increase in cumulative stool frequency compared with placebo. However, after the 71st day of the treatment, the cumulative number of stools was significantly higher in the probiotic group ( P  
ISSN:0954-3007
1476-5640
DOI:10.1038/s41430-022-01189-0