Abstract
Do Probiotics Reduce the Duration of Acute Infectious Diarrhea?
This systematic review searched multiple databases and included studies showing the effects of probiotics on patients presenting with acute diarrhea lasting <14 days. The primary outcomes were duration of diarrhea, diarrhea lasting ≥4 days, and stool frequency after 2 days of intervention. In all, 63 studies met inclusion criteria and produced a total of 8,014 patients. When used with standard rehydration therapy, it was found that probiotics reduce the frequency and duration of diarrhea by as much as 1 day with no adverse events. Although probiotics demonstrate a consistent and beneficial response for acute diarrhea, there are no established recommendations for optimal species or dosing.
(Ann Emerg Med. 2011;58:445–446). J Hom
Prepared by Matthew Stewart, MD, University of Utah Emergency Medicine Resident, Salt Lake City, UT, USA