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Review: probiotics are effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Data sources
Studies in any language (with English abstracts) were identified by searching Medline (1966–2000) with the terms probiotics, biotherapeutic agents, lactobacilli, antibiotic associated diarrhoea, and Clostridium difficile; the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register; and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Study selection
Studies were selected if they were randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of probiotic treatment given in combination with antibiotics and diarrhoea prevention was reported.

Data extraction
Data were extracted on sample size; type, dose, and duration of probiotic treatment; and antibiotic studied. The outcome of interest was prevention of diarrhoea. Diarrhoea was defined as a change from the normal bowel habit with 2 loose or watery stools for 2 days.

Main results
9 trials (1214 patients) met the selection criteria. 2 of the trials studied children. No statistical heterogeneity or publication bias was detected among the 9 trials. The pooled odds ratio (OR) showed that probiotic treatment was more effective than placebo in the prevention of . . . [Full text of this article]

Anthony D Harris, MD, MPH

University of Maryland
Baltimore
Maryland
USA