Open AccessInfluence of probiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients undergoing colonoscopy
Author(s) -
Hung JuiSheng,
Liu TsoTsai,
Yi ChihHsun,
Wong MingWun,
Lei WeiYi,
Chen ChienLin
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advances in digestive medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2351-9800
DOI - 10.1002/aid2.13186
Subject(s) - colonoscopy , medicine , indigestion , abdominal pain , constipation , gastroenterology , diarrhea , probiotic , randomized controlled trial , lactobacillus rhamnosus , irritable bowel syndrome , group b , colorectal cancer , cancer , biology , bacteria , genetics
Abdominal symptoms and discomfort may occur after colonoscopy. Probiotics may modulate gastrointestinal symptoms. This prospective study investigated whether the application of probiotics may improve and alter abdominal symptoms after colonoscopy. This study was broadly randomized into adult participants undergoing colonoscopy who received probiotic capsules and others who did not receive probiotic capsules (controls). The study was divided into four groups as follows: participants taking probiotic capsules (containing the strain Lactobacillus casei sp. rhamnosus GG, 1500 mg) for 7 days before and after colonoscopy (Group 1), those taking such capsules 7 days before colonoscopy only (Group 2), those taking the probiotics 7 days after colonoscopy only (Group 3), and the control group, which was not administered probiotics (Group 4). Participants completed the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale at the baseline and 7 days after colonoscopy. We compared various symptoms, including abdominal pain, indigestion, reflux syndrome, constipation, and diarrhea, between the baseline and 7 days after colonoscopy. A total of 284 participants were studied, consisting of 72, 67, 74, and 71 patients in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. There was a significant reduction in abdominal pain for group 1 ( P < .001), group 2 ( P < .001), and group 3 ( P = .005). Reflux symptoms were significantly reduced in all groups. Indigestion‐related symptoms decreased significantly in all participants except for those in group 4 ( P = .063). Constipation and diarrhea symptoms decreased significantly in all participants. The percentage of participants with symptomatic improvement was more in group 1 than group 4 (the controls) for abdominal pain only (44.4% vs 25.4%, P = .036). Our study demonstrated that probiotics may improve gastrointestinal symptoms in patients undergoing colonoscopy. Probiotics appear to be useful in reducing abdominal pain in patients who have undergone colonoscopy.