Probiotics Shown To Be Beneficial For UC Patients

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Hi All,

An article listed in the Digestive Health SmartBrief newsletter this morning mentions a research study where probiotics supposedly were helpful for UC patients. Since this was a meta-analysis of 23 different trials, it should be of some significance. Note that only one probiotic product actually made a big difference in remission rates, namely VSL#3.

The data demonstrated that probiotics significantly increased remission rates among active ulcerative colitis (UC) patients (RR=1.51; 95% CI, 1.10-2.06), but not among CD patients (RR=0.89; 95% CI, 0.7-1.13).

While remission rates for active UC patients taking probiotics also were significantly greater than placebo (RR=1.8; 95% CI, 1.36-2.39), only the probiotic VSL#3 significantly increased remission rates (RR=1.74; 95% CI, 1.19-2.55).

Meta-analysis confirmed value of probiotics in some IBD patients

Of course this quote from the article was a bit disappointing:

“However, no sufficient evidence suggested a significant benefit of probiotics for CD [Crohn’s disease],” the researchers said.

So while this is good news for UC patients, with no observed benefits for Crohn's patients, it's pretty much another bummer for probiotics promotion, especially since the only probiotic product that actually provided better than mediocre performance was VSL#3, and even it didn't seem to benefit Crohn's patients with active disease.

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