Efficacy of Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Zhang T, Zhang C, Zhang J, Sun F, Duan L
Published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
Methodology
Network meta-analysis of 43 RCTs (5531 IBS patients) ranking probiotic species for symptom relief, abdominal pain, bloating and straining, with meta-regression on dose and duration.
Key Findings
Bacillus coagulans ranked highest for symptom relief and bloating scores; Lactobacillus plantarum ranked first for several secondary outcomes, but between-strain certainty was limited.
Conclusions
Probiotic benefit for gas and bloating appears strain-specific rather than a class effect.
Limitations
Indirect comparisons; heterogeneous strains, doses and durations; many small trials.
Supplements Studied
B.coagulans exhibited the highest probability to be the optimal probiotic specie in improving IBS symptom relief rate, as well as global symptom, abdominal pain, bloating, and straining scores.
B.coagulans exhibited the highest probability to be the optimal probiotic specie in improving IBS symptom relief rate, as well as global symptom, abdominal pain, bloating, and straining scores.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Academic/institutional
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