Is the effect of probiotics on atopic dermatitis confined to food sensitized children?

Abstract

Background: Probiotics have previously been shown to reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants and children.

Objective: To examine the effect of two probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacteria lactis) on established AD in children.

Subjects and methods: Atopic children with current dermatitis received 2 x 10(10) colony forming units/g of probiotic (n=29) or placebo (n=30). Both were given daily as a powder mixed with food or water. SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD; developed by the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis) a measure of the extent and severity of AD, was assessed at baseline, 2 and 12 weeks after starting treatment and 4 weeks after treatment was discontinued.

Results: SCORAD geometric mean score at baseline was 26.0 (21.9-30.8) in the probiotic group and 35.1 (28.9-42.8) in the placebo group (P=0.02). After adjustment for these between-group baseline differences there was no significant improvement in AD at 12 weeks, SCORAD geometric mean ratio: 0.80 (95% confidence level (CI) 0.62-1.04, P=0.10). Among the food sensitized children, there was an improvement in those treated with probiotics, SCORAD geometric mean ratio: 0.73 (95% CI 0.54-1.00, P=0.047).

Conclusion: In this study a combination of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacteria lactis improved AD only in food sensitized children.