Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Original Article

Use of probiotics as an adjuvant to sequential H. pylori eradication therapy: impact on eradication rates, treatment resistance, treatment-related side effects, and patient compliance

1.

Department of Gastroenterology, University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey

2.

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey

3.

Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya

4.

Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkey

Turk J Gastroenterol 2017; 28: 3-11
DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2016.0278
Read: 7651 Downloads: 1474 Published: 25 July 2019

Abstract

Background/Aims: To evaluate the effect of probiotics administered as an adjuvant to sequential Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy on treatment outcome and patient compliance.

 

Materials and Methods: In total, 159 patients with H. pylori infection receiving sequential H. pylori eradication therapy were included in this randomized placebo-controlled study. Starting from day 0 of sequential eradication therapy (ERA), patients in the ERA+probiotic group [n=53, mean (SD) age: 47.7 (14.0) years, 54.7% were females] also received a probiotic supplement with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis B94 (1 capsule/day), patients in the ERA+placebo group [n=52, mean (SD) age: 46.4 (13.4) years, 51.9% were males] received placebo treatment (1 capsule/day), and patients in the ERA-only group [n=54, mean (SD) age: 46.3 (11.9) years, 55.6% were females] received no additional treatments. Eradication rates, patient compliance, and side effects of eradication therapy were recorded in each treatment group.

 

Results: Significantly higher eradication rates were noted in the ERA+probiotic group (86.8% vs. 70.8%, p=0.025) than in the combined ERA (ERA-only and ERA-placebo) group. Non-compliance with anti-H. pylori treatment was noted in 24 (15.1%) of 159 patients. Lower rates of first week treatment non-compliance due to diarrhea (1.88% vs. 12.26%, p=0.036) were noted in the ERA+probiotic group than in the combined ERA (ERA-only and ERA-placebo) group.   Treatment resistance (p: 0.389) was similar between the groups, indicating pure antibiotic resistance without any compliance problems. The number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) was 6.2 (CI 95%, 3.5 to 28.9) for probiotic use.

 

Conclusion: In conclusion, adjuvant administration of probiotic (B. animalis subsp. lactis) in 2-week sequential H. pylori eradication therapy is associated with a higher H. pylori eradication rate, lower first week diarrhea-related treatment discontinuation rates, less common self-reported side effects, and higher treatment compliance.

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