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. 2024 Aug 16;16(8):e66994.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.66994. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Investigating the Knowledge of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics That May Help to Improve the Gut-Organ Axis Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Desiree Fermin  1 , Sahar Alshammari  2 , Joao Morgadinho  3 , Tyler Halverson  2 , Saifal Anwar  4 , Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan  5 , Kannayiram Alagiakrishnan  2
Affiliations

Investigating the Knowledge of Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics That May Help to Improve the Gut-Organ Axis Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Desiree Fermin et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background and aims: The use of gut biotics, including probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, has shown substantial potential in the management of various health conditions possibly through the gut-organ axis. The role of gut biotics in modulating the gut-brain axis is becoming evident with more research focusing on this intervention. Improvement of gut-organ axis function is possible by using food-related products called gut biotics. However, there is limited comprehension of the knowledge and use of these intestinal or gut biotics. Our aim was to recognize knowledge gaps and assess the improvement of understanding following an education intervention.

Methods: A single-arm study encompassing a convenient sample of 161 inpatient and outpatient subjects aged 50 years and older was conducted at the University of Alberta Hospital from June to August 2023. Knowledge about gut biotics was evaluated using a structured questionnaire consisting of 16 questions and involving six thematic areas. To ensure validity, the questionnaire was pre-tested on 10 physicians and residents who were not part of the study. The questionnaire was administered to study subjects prior to receiving an information sheet about gut biotics. Two weeks after receiving the information sheet, all participants were contacted by phone, and the same questionnaire was administered again. Of the 161 patients, 122 completed the pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaires and were considered in the analysis.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 72 years (SD: 10.8), 57% comprised women, and 39% had less than a high school education. The proportion of polypharmacy and multimorbidity was 87% and 97%, respectively. Following the intervention, there was a noticeable enhancement in knowledge across all the themes, with statistical significance (p<0.001) observed in 14 out of 16 questions as determined by the homogeneity statistical test.

Conclusions: Knowledge gaps in gut biotics were prevalent among study participants, and the educational intervention effectively contributed to the enhancement of knowledge. The results of this study provide valuable information for the development of targeted health education strategies focusing on gut biotics, which may play a role in improving gut-organ axis function.

Keywords: gut biotics; knowledge; prebiotics; probiotics; synbiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. University of Alberta Health Research Ethics Board issued approval Pro00129160. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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