Probiotics for induction of remission in Crohn's disease

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#crohn-disease #humans #probiotics #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #remission-induction

Probiotics for induction of remission in Crohn's disease

Butterworth et al., 2008 | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review

Citation

Butterworth Andrew D, Thomas Adrian G, Akobeng Anthony Kwaku. Probiotics for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008-Jul-16;2008(3):CD006634. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006634.pub2

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease has a high morbidity and there is no known cure. Current treatments have multiple side effects and an effective treatment with minimal side effects is desired. Probiotics have been proposed as such a treatment but their efficacy is undetermined. There is some evidence that probiotics are effective in other conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract and they are popular with patients. They are thought to work through competitive action with commensal and pathogenic flora, influencing the immune response. OBJECTIVES: To determine if there is any evidence for the efficacy of probiotics for the induction of remission in Crohn's disease. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 1, 2007), MEDLINE (1966 to 2007), Excerpta Medica/EMBASE (1974 to 2007), CINAHL (1982-2007) and the Cochrane Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Functional Bowel Disorders Group Specialised Trial Register were searched. Manufacturers of probiotics were also contacted to identify any unpublished trials. References of trials were also searched for any additional trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared probiotics against placebo or any other intervention for the induction of remission in Crohn's disease were eligible for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data extraction and assessment of methodological quality of included studies were independently performed by two authors. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of clinical remission. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. MAIN RESULTS: One small study (n = 11) met the inclusion criteria and was included in the review. There were some methodological concerns with this study. Four of 5 patients in the probiotic group achieved remission compared to 5 of 6 in the placebo group (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.04 to 17.20). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to make any conclusions about the efficacy of probiotics for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. There is a lack of well designed RCTs in this area and further research is needed.

Key Findings

One small study (n = 11) met the inclusion criteria and was included in the review. There were some methodological concerns with this study. Four of 5 patients in the probiotic group achieved remission compared to 5 of 6 in the placebo group (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.04 to 17.20). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to make any conclusions about the efficacy of probiotics for induction of remission in Crohn's disease. There is a lack of well designed RCTs in this area and further resea

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 11
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Crohn Disease
  • Humans
  • Probiotics
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Remission Induction

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

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