title: Probiotics in functional bowel disorders.
abstract: Functional bowel disorders (FBDs) are the most common gastrointestinal (GI) disorders seen by gastroenterologists and primary care physicians. The disorders affect patients functioning and quality of life (QOL) and are associated with significant healthcare burden. The current theory regarding the development of FBDs suggests brain-gut axis dysfunctions associated abnormal GI motility and sensation. Recent data suggest that alterations in the intestinal microbiota may have a role in the pathogenesis of FBDs; or at least have the potential to affect intestinal functions that are thought to be relevant to the development of functional GI symptoms. This has led to growing interest of healthcare providers and patients in targeting the intestinal microbiota for the treatment of FBDs. In this article we discuss the potential role probiotic interventions in the treatment of FBDs. We review the evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies and discuss the current recommendations for the use of probiotics for FBDs in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Keren
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hod
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ringel
mesh_terms: D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: Functional bowel disorders; Intestinal mocrobiota; Irritable bowel syndrome; Probiotics