Brief Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 21, 2010; 16(15): 1908-1915
Published online Apr 21, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i15.1908
Remission induction and maintenance effect of probiotics on ulcerative colitis: A meta-analysis
Li-Xuan Sang, Bing Chang, Wen-Liang Zhang, Xiao-Mei Wu, Xiao-Hang Li, Min Jiang
Li-Xuan Sang, Bing Chang, Wen-Liang Zhang, Xiao-Mei Wu, Xiao-Hang Li, Min Jiang, Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China
Author contributions: Sang LX, Chang B and Jiang M designed the research; Sang LX and Chang B performed the research; Zhang WL, Wu XM and Li XH analyzed the data; Sang LX and Chang B wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Min Jiang, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, Liaoning Province, China. sanglixuan2008@sohu.com
Telephone: +86-24-83282209 Fax: +86-24-83282208
Received: November 18, 2009
Revised: December 14, 2009
Accepted: December 21, 2009
Published online: April 21, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the induction of remission and maintenance effects of probiotics for ulcerative colitis.

METHODS: Information was retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The induction of remission and promotion of maintenance were compared between probiotics treatment and non-probiotics treatment in ulcerative colitis.

RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled studies met the selection criteria. Seven studies evaluated the remission rate, and eight studies estimated the recurrence rate; two studies evaluated both remission and recurrence rates. Compared with the non-probiotics group, the remission rate for ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 1.35 (95% CI: 0.98-1.85). Compared with the placebo group, the remission rate of ulcerative colitis who received probiotics was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.35-2.96). During the course of treatment, in patients who received probiotics for less than 12 mo compared with the group treated by non-probiotics, the remission rate of ulcerative colitis was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.07-1.73). Compared with the non-probiotics group, the recurrence rate of ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 0.69 (95% CI: 2.47-1.01). In the mild to moderate group who received probiotics, compared to the group who did not receive probiotics, the recurrence rate was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.51). The group who received Bifidobacterium bifidum treatment had a recurrence rate of 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.50) compared with the non-probiotics group.

CONCLUSION: Probiotic treatment was more effective than placebo in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Ulcerative colitis; Probiotics; Meta-analysis