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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Dec;57(1):2533431.
doi: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2533431. Epub 2025 Jul 23.

Efficacy of probiotics pretreatment in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes

Yinghui Zhang  1 , Mengtian Tu  2 , Ping Long  1 , Jing Zheng  1 , Guanghong Du  3 , Shiyu Xiao  1 , Caiping Gao  1   4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy of probiotics pretreatment in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes

Yinghui Zhang et al. Ann Med. 2025 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Probiotics inhibit Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) growth and alter gut microbiome, in addition to alleviating the side effects of H. pylori eradication. It has also been reported that H. pylori be eradicated after fecal microbiota transplantation in some cases. However, whether probiotics used before H. pylori eradication improves the eradication rate remains unclear. This study evaluates their role through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Conference Proceedings Citation Index up to January 31, 2024, to identify randomized controlled studies (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of probiotics used before H. pylori eradication. Meta-analyses of eradication rates were performed.

Results: Twelve eligible RCTs with 2,144 participants were included. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed that the overall eradication rate of H. pylori was higher in the probiotics pretreatment group compared to the control group (80.34% vs. 70.49%), with a risk ratio (RR) of 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.19; I2 = 36%) and side effects were less (16.0% vs. 28.3%, RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.84). The per-protocol analysis yielded similar results (86.43% vs. 76.88%, RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.17; I2 = 57%). Subgroup analyses, considering factors like geographic location, eradication regimens, and probiotic combinations, consistently confirmed the benefits. Finally, probiotics pretreatment durations of 14 days or more, as well as the study designs pre vs. free and pre and combine vs. free, demonstrated significant effects. Shorter durations and other study designs with fewer studies did not show significant effects.

Conclusion: There is moderate to high evidence to suggest that probiotics pretreatment improves H. pylori eradication rate and reduces side effects. These findings highlight the potential value of gut microbiome modulation in H. pylori treatment and offer a new direction for addressing the challenges of antibiotic resistance and treatment failure.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori; meta-analysis; microbiome; pretreatment; probiotics.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Preferred Reporting Items for systematic Reviews and meta-analyses flow diagram of study selection.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Forest Plot of randomized controlled trials of H. pylori eradication therapy: Efficacy on H. pylori eradication rate (intention-to-treat analysis).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Forest Plot of randomized controlled trials of H. pylori eradication therapy: Efficacy on H. pylori eradication rate (per-protocol analysis).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Forest Plot of randomized controlled trials of H. pylori eradication therapy: side effects.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Risk of bias summary.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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