Premium
Probiotics to Prevent Respiratory Infections in Nursing Homes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Wang Biao,
Hylwka Tammy,
Smieja Marek,
Surrette Michael,
Bowdish Dawn M.E.,
Loeb Mark
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.15396
Subject(s) - medicine , lactobacillus rhamnosus , randomized controlled trial , placebo , hazard ratio , confidence interval , probiotic , pathology , alternative medicine , genetics , bacteria , biology
Objectives To assess the feasibility of conducting a large clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics to reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of long‐term and chronic care facilities (LTCFs). Design Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot trial. Setting Fourteen nursing homes in Hamilton and surrounding region, Ontario, Canada. Participants Nursing home residents aged 65 and older (N=209). Those who were taking immunosuppressives (steroids or other immunosuppressives) or had a hematological malignancy, structural heart disease, or gastroesophageal or intestinal injury and others at high risk of an endovascular infection were excluded. Intervention Participants were randomized to receive study probiotics—2 capsules of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (estimated 10 billion colony forming units of L. rhamnosus GG per capsule) or placebo (calcium carbonate) daily for 6 months. Measurements Laboratory‐confirmed respiratory viral infections. Results One hundred ninety‐six individuals were included in the analysis: 100 in the probiotics group and 96 in the placebo group. Laboratory‐confirmed respiratory viral infections were observed in 14 (15.0%) residents in the probiotic group and 21 (22.9%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio=0.65, 95% confidence interval=0.32–1.31). Conclusion A larger trial is warranted to determine whether probiotics reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of LTCFs.