The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

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The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Wu et al., 2024 | Nutrients | Systematic Review

Citation

Wu Youhe, Li Yuetong, ... Li Lanjuan. The Efficacy of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2024-Jul-02;16(13). doi:10.3390/nu16132114

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with gut microbiota imbalance playing a significant role. There are increasing numbers of research studies exploring treatment options involving probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), but it is still uncertain which treatment option is superior. The research was conducted on various databases and unpublished trial data (up to February 2023). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened for adult patients with IBS comparing interventions with placebo. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and FMT were assessed for their impact using mean difference and Bayesian network meta-analysis. Out of 6528 articles, 54 were included for probiotics, 7 for prebiotics/synbiotics, and 6 for FMT. Probiotics showed improvement in IBS symptoms, particularly with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains. Prebiotics and synbiotics did not show significant improvement. Network meta-analysis indicated the favorable effects of probiotics (OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59) and FMT (OR = 0.46, 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.64) on IBS, with no serious adverse events reported. In short, probiotics and FMT are effective for managing IBS, with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus being dominant strains. However, the most effective probiotic combination or strain remains unclear, while prebiotics and synbiotics did not show significant improvement.

Key Findings

However, the most effective probiotic combination or strain remains unclear, while prebiotics and synbiotics did not show significant improvement.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population ibs comparing interventions with
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Humans
  • Prebiotics
  • Probiotics
  • Synbiotics
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Bifidobacterium
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Lactobacillus
  • Male

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review, Network Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: probiotics-gut

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09