title: Effects of 12 weeks of probiotic supplementation on quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Probiotics may help resolve bowel symptoms and improve quality of life. We investigated the effects of 12 weeks of probiotics administration in colorectal cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The participants took probiotics (Lacidofil) or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. The cancer-related quality of life (FACT), patient's health-9 (PHQ-9), and bowel symptom questionnaires were completed by each participant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We obtained data for 32 participants in the placebo group and 28 participants in the probiotics group. The mean ages of total participants were 56.18 ± .86 years and 58.3% were male. Administration of probiotics significantly decreased the proportion of patients suffering from irritable bowel symptoms (0 week vs. 12 week; 67.9% vs. 45.7%, p=0.03), improved colorectal cancer-related FACT (baseline vs. 12 weeks: 19.79 ± 4.66 vs. 21.18 ± 3.67, p=0.04) and fatigue-related FACT (baseline vs. 12 weeks: 43.00 (36.50-45.50) vs. 44.50 (38.50-49.00), p=0.02) and PHQ-9 scores (0 weeks vs. 12 weeks; 3.00 (0-8.00) vs. 1.00 (0-3.00), p=0.01). We found significant differences in changes of the proportion of patients with bowel symptoms (p<0.05), functional well-being scores (p=0.04) and cancer-related FACT scores (p=0.04) between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Probiotics improved bowel symptoms and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jee-Yon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nursing Science, Yonsei University, College of Nursing, Nursing Policy Research Institute, Biobehavioural Research Center, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Hui
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Leisure Studies, Sports Medicine Laboratory, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Justin Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Leisure Studies, Sports Medicine Laboratory, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Leisure Studies, Sports Medicine Laboratory, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-Hye
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Duk-Chul
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: indi5645@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Ji-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: namkyuk@yuhs.ac.
authors.forename: Nam-Kyu
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Bowel symptoms; Cancer survivors; Colorectal cancer; Probiotics