Remission induction and maintenance effect of probiotics on ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the induction of remission and maintenance effects of probiotics for ulcerative colitis.


METHODS
Information was retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The induction of remission and promotion of maintenance were compared between probiotics treatment and non-probiotics treatment in ulcerative colitis.


RESULTS
Thirteen randomized controlled studies met the selection criteria. Seven studies evaluated the remission rate, and eight studies estimated the recurrence rate; two studies evaluated both remission and recurrence rates. Compared with the non-probiotics group, the remission rate for ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 1.35 (95% CI: 0.98-1.85). Compared with the placebo group, the remission rate of ulcerative colitis who received probiotics was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.35-2.96). During the course of treatment, in patients who received probiotics for less than 12 mo compared with the group treated by non-probiotics, the remission rate of ulcerative colitis was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.07-1.73). Compared with the non-probiotics group, the recurrence rate of ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 0.69 (95% CI: 2.47-1.01). In the mild to moderate group who received probiotics, compared to the group who did not receive probiotics, the recurrence rate was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.51). The group who received Bifidobacterium bifidum treatment had a recurrence rate of 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.50) compared with the non-probiotics group.


CONCLUSIONS
Probiotic treatment was more effective than placebo in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis.
Sang
Li-Xuan
LX
Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. sanglixuan2008@sohu.com
Chang
Bing
B
Zhang
Wen-Liang
WL
Wu
Xiao-Mei
XM
Li
Xiao-Hang
XH
Jiang
Min
M
D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000378:metabolism; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010919:Placebos; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012306:Risk; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos
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