Probiotics have proven to be effective in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in both children and adults. The have also shown efficacy in preventing of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea.
Probiotics have been found to have a positive clinical impact on patients with hepatic encephalopathy, improving minimal hepatic encephalopathy and preventing progression to overt hepatic encephalopathy. The role of probiotics in adults with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is less clear; however, a review of randomized clinical trials found that probiotics improved liver function in patients with these conditions based on disease-oriented markers.
Probiotics have not proven effective in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. A meta-analysis showed that probiotics did not significantly affect the infection rate, total number of infections, operation rate, length of hospital stay, or mortality.
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Cite this: Mary L. Windle. Fast Five Quiz: Probiotics Facts vs Fiction - Medscape - Mar 03, 2021.
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