Assessment of the Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Short-chain Fatty Acid Production in Frail Elderly Patients Receiving Home Enteral Nutrition With an Oligomeric Formula.

Assessment of the Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Short-chain Fatty Acid Production in Frail Elderly Patients Receiving Home Enteral Nutrition With an Oligomeric Formula.

This is an investigator-initiated, spontaneous, non-profit, randomized intervention study with two parallel arms. The study aims to evaluate the effect of a 30-days probiotic supplementation on the composition of the intestinal microbiota (MA) and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in faecal samples of frail elderly patients receiving home enteral nutrition (HEN) with an oligomeric formula. Participants will be monitored for gastrointestinal complications like constipation and diarrhea, and for Clostridium difficile infections.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Use of oligomeric enteral formula since at least 30-days
• Absence of diagnosed intestinal inflammation (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Antibiotic use within one month prior to enrolment
• Intake of any probiotics other than the study product within one month prior to enrolment
• Hypersensitivity to any probiotic ingredient
• Non-exclusive enteral nutrition (minimal oral intake)