Probiotics and Hospital Outcome in the Elderly

Effects of Commercially Available Probiotics on Hospital Outcome

Probiotics have been shown to reduce the rate of diarrhea and constipation. The purpose of this study was to investigate if probiotics could improve outcome of hospitalized orthopedic elderly patients.

The patients were divided into two groups. One received probiotics for 45 days and the second received placebo. The patients had a clinical and epidemiological as well as nutritional assessment. They were followed-up as for their bowel movements, abdominal pain and nosocomial infections and for the incidence of helicobacter pylori and clostridiume difficille diarrhea.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Geriatric Orthopedic Rehabilitation a week before their enrollment in the study and signed an informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known or suspected allergy to any probiotics
• Neutropenia
• Inability to sign an informed consent