TY - JOUR T1 - Probiotics are associated with a decreased risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea JF - Evidence Based Medicine JO - Evid Based Med SP - 71 LP - 72 DO - 10.1136/eb-2012-100863 VL - 18 IS - 2 AU - Filippo Cremonini AU - Elizabeth Jane Videlock Y1 - 2013/04/01 UR - http://ebm.bmj.com/content/18/2/71.abstract N2 - Commentary on: Hempel S, Newberry SJ, Maher AR, et al. Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA 2012;307:1959–69.OpenUrl The incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) is estimated as 29–60% and is associated with increased costs and length of hospital stay.1 The underlying mechanisms of AAD include disruption of the gut flora, effects of altered bacterial breakdown of carbohydrates and direct prokinetic effects of certain antibiotics. Probiotics may prevent AAD by enhancing intestinal barrier function, by promoting competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria and by stimulating the host-immune response. This meta-analysis summarises data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which probiotics were administered to … ER -