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. 2013:2013:231979.
doi: 10.1155/2013/231979. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

Probiotics as additives on therapy in allergic airway diseases: a systematic review of benefits and risks

Rashmi Ranjan Das  1 , Sushree Samiksha Naik, Meenu Singh
Affiliations

Probiotics as additives on therapy in allergic airway diseases: a systematic review of benefits and risks

Rashmi Ranjan Das et al. Biomed Res Int. 2013.

Abstract

Background: We conducted a systematic review to find out the role of probiotics in treatment of allergic airway diseases.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the major electronic databases was done till March 2013. Trials comparing the effect of probiotics versus placebo were included. A predefined set of outcome measures were assessed. Continuous data were expressed as standardized mean difference with 95% CI. Dichotomous data were expressed as odds ratio with 95% CI. P value < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results: A total of 12 studies were included. Probiotic intake was associated with a significantly improved quality of life score in patients with allergic rhinitis (SMD -1.9 (95% CI -3.62, -0.19); P = 0.03), though there was a high degree of heterogeneity. No improvement in quality of life score was noted in asthmatics. Probiotic intake also improved the following parameters: longer time free from episodes of asthma and rhinitis and decrease in the number of episodes of rhinitis per year. Adverse events were not significant.

Conclusion: As the current evidence was generated from few trials with high degree of heterogeneity, routine use of probiotics as an additive on therapy in subjects with allergic airway diseases cannot be recommended.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of search results. RCTs = Randomized controlled trials.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in quality of life score in allergic rhinitis.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Change in the blood or immunological parameters.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Funnel plot. Assessing publication bias using the SMD and 1/SE values from one of the tertiary outcome measures (serum total IgE level).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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