Berger MY. Probiotics for gastro-intestinal conditions: the new miracle cure? Huisarts Wet 2008;51(4);174-9.
Aim Many health claims are made for probiotics. Which of these claims can be said to have a scientific basis?
Method A literature study of systematic reviews investigating the usefulness of probiotics for complaints occurring frequently in the GP’s practice.
Results The effects of probiotics were investigated in 16 systematic reviews. Probiotics appear to shorten the duration of infectious diarrhoea. But this effect was demonstrated only in hospitalised children. No clinically relevant effect was found in the prevention of acute infectious diarrhoea or antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. There are insufficient scientific grounds for the use of probiotics in functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and lactose intolerance in the eradication of H. pylori.
Conclusion There is insufficient scientific basis for the use of probiotics in the indications mentioned, or if there is, the effect does not seem to be clinically relevant. In view of the risk of cross-resistance, there are no reasons to advise the use of probiotics.
