University of Houston College of Medicine Dickinson, TX
Anthony Carona, 1, David Jacobson, 1, Charles Hildebolt, PhD2, Waqar Qureshi, MD, FACG3, Kevin Rowland, PhD1 1University of Houston College of Medicine, Houston, TX; 2Washington University School of Medicine, Houston, TX; 3Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Introduction: Probiotics are widely used and prescribed to address a host of health issues. Despite evidence that different probiotic bacteria have differing therapeutic mechanisms of action, many probiotics are prescribed indiscriminately, with little research to support the use of specific formulations for a given ailment. Further investigation is required to assess the efficacy of one commonly prescribed probiotic formulation – Lactinex (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus (bulgaricus)) – for the treatment of diarrhea. This review seeks to assess whether administration of probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus helveticus (bulgaricus) are more effective than placebo in reducing symptoms of diarrhea.
Methods: A systematic search of randomized placebo-controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of combination Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus in the treatment of diarrhea by any cause was conducted and captured all available studies (n = 2411). After application of exclusion criteria, four studies were identified as suitable for inclusion. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for the proportion of cases with diarrhea in the control group and the treatment group. To assess differences in proportions between the control and treatment groups, a generalized linear model assessment was performed.
Results: Analyses revealed the overall proportion of cases with diarrhea in the treatment group was only 3.5% lower than the overall proportion in the control group (P = 0.508), with our considering that the 3.5 lower percentage to be of little or no clinical importance.
Discussion: Existing literature suggests little or no clinical benefit of Lactinex for the treatment of diarrhea, highlighting the need for more research or re-evaluation of its widespread use.
Figure: Fig 1 - Shows the effectiveness of Lactinex vs Placebo at preventing all cause diarrhea. From the graphs, there is little to no statistical or clinical difference between the two at treating all-cause diarrhea.
Disclosures:
Anthony Carona indicated no relevant financial relationships.
David Jacobson indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Charles Hildebolt indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Waqar Qureshi indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Kevin Rowland indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Anthony Carona, 1, David Jacobson, 1, Charles Hildebolt, PhD2, Waqar Qureshi, MD, FACG3, Kevin Rowland, PhD1. B0264 - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Lactinex Probiotic Against Diarrhea, ACG 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Charlotte, NC: American College of Gastroenterology.
