The efficacy and safety of adding the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardiito standard triple therapy for eradication of H.pylori: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluating the efficacy and safety of adding the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardiito standard triple therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori.


BACKGROUND
Several probiotics such as Saccharomyces boulardii have been investigated for their clinical efficacy. This probiotic, inhibit H. pylori urease by lowering the gastric pH, adhesion of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells, stabilize the gastric barrier function and reduce the side effects of antibiotics.


METHODS
In this randomized controlled trial we evaluated 160 adult patients with biopsy confirmed H. Pylori infection referred to gastroenterology ward of Taleghani hospital. The patients were randomized into two treatment regimens: patients in group A (n = 80) were given amoxicillin (1000 mg, b.i.d), clarithromycin (500 mg, b.i.d), omeprazole (20 mg, b.i.d) and probiotic of saccaromyces boularidi (Yomogi) (250 mg, b.i.d) for 14 days, moreover patients in group B (n = 80) were given amoxicillin (1000 mg, b.i.d), clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d) and omeprazole (20 mg,b.i.d) for 14 days.


RESULTS
160 patients (66 male 41.25%, 94female 58.75%) with the mean age of 47.1±11.4 years were evaluated. The success rate for H. pylori eradication in group A was higher 75(87.5%) than group B 65 (81.2%), but the difference between two groups was not significant (p = 0.350). Moreover, in case group side effects as nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and bloating were significantly lower than control group in first and second weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that saccaromyces boularidi decreased the adverse effects associated with H.pylori therapy but did not significantly decrease the eradication rate of H.pylori.
Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Homayoun
H
Zojaji
Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Mehdi
M
Ghobakhlou
Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Hassan
H
Rajabalinia
Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Elnaz
E
Ataei
Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Somayeh
S
Jahani Sherafat
Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Bijan
B
Moghimi-Dehkordi
Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Rasoul
R
Bahreiny
Anti-helicobacter pylori eradication therapy; Helicobacter pylori; Probiotic; Saccharomyces boulardii