Probiotics as Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Two Lactobacilli Strains as Adjuvant Therapy in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Studying the effects of adding probiotics to the drug regimen of patients with diarrhea predominant IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common highly prevalent functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that places an enormous burden on resource-challenged healthcare systems. Although many drugs have been advocated in the treatment of IBS, including psychotropic agents, antispasmodics, bulking agents, and 5-HT receptor antagonists. However, in the vast majority of instances, these medications have failed to provide adequate symptom alleviation, presumably due to the disease's diverse pathophysiology. Probiotics are "live bacteria that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in suitable doses". In IBS, a decrease in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, as well as an increase in Gamma-proteobacteria species (a family of pathogens), has been described in IBS studies. Therefore, the ability of probiotics to repair dysbiosis (qualitative and quantitative changes in the microbiota) or stabilize the host microbiota is the reason for their use in the treatment of IBS.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 16-55
2. Both genders
3. Patients diagnosed clinically with IBS based on Rome's criteria
4. IBS-Diarrhea only with pain & distention
5. Duration of symptoms 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Age > 55
2. Celiac disease
3. Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis & Crohn's)
4. Thyroid disease
5. Colonic CA
6. Lactose intolerance
7. Alarming features (anemia, blood in the stool, weight loss, abdominal masses, dysphagia, family history of GIT malignancy)
8. Preexisting use of antibiotics in the previous 3 months.
9. Preexisting systemic diseases