Beneficial effect of probiotics supplements in reflux esophagitis treated with esomeprazole: A randomized controlled trial

Table 1 Clinical characteristics of patients in the probiotics and placebo groups at baseline

Characteristic		Probiotics group (n = 66)	Placebo group (n = 64)	P-value
Age (yr)		41.76 ± 9.38	41.89 ± 9.75	0.937
Male n (%)		39 (59.1)	40 (62.5)	0.691
BMI (kg/m2)		24.61 ± 3.51	23.90 ± 3.14	0.230
Smoking n (%)		12 (18.2)	10 (15.6)	0.698
Waist circumference (cm)		78.68 ± 5.03	78.84 ± 6.49	0.874
RDQ score		19.41 ± 4.23	18.44 ± 5.17	0.244
GSRS score	Abdominal pain	6.38 ± 2.64	6.48 ± 3.20	0.846
	Reflux	10.35 ± 2.48	10.31 ± 2.68	0.937
	Diarrhea	6.44 ± 1.97	6.89 ± 2.39	0.242
	Indigestion	7.53 ± 2.67	7.03 ± 2.17	0.245
	Constipation	5.48 ± 1.28	5.34 ± 2.13	0.647
Esophagitis grade at baseline (n)	A	26	29	0.495
	B	22	21	0.950
	C	13	11	0.712
	D	5	3	0.493

BMI: Body mass index; RDQ: Reflux diagnostic questionnaire; GSRS: Gastrointestinal symptom rating scale.