Korean J Helicobacter Up Gastrointest Res.  2023 Mar;23(1):34-41. 10.7704/kjhugr.2022.0051.

Probiotic Supplementation for Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

• Lim NR
• Choi SY
• Chung WC

• KMID: 2540116
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7704/kjhugr.2022.0051

Abstract

Background/Aims
The effects of probiotic supplementation on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of continuous probiotic administration on eradication rates, recrudescence, and symptom response following completion of a course of H. pylori therapy.
Methods
This prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed between June 2018 and 2020. Twohundred seventy patients who received a standard triple regimen for H. pylori eradication, were included in the study. Participants were randomized to receive a probiotic as adjunctive therapy (Enterococcus faecium 4.5×10⁸ and Bacillus subtilis 5.0×10⁷; Medilac-S®, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, Seoul, Korea) or a placebo (one tablet thrice daily) for 28 days, following H. pylori eradication. Participants who showed successful eradication underwent a repeat ¹³C-urea breath test after 6 months.
Results
Eradication rates in the probiotic and placebo groups were 77.1% and 72.4%, respectively (P=0.48) using per-protocol analysis. Using intention-to-treat analysis, eradication rates were 67.4% and 65.9%, respectively (P=0.43). Of 149 patients who were followed-up after 6 months, four patients had recrudescence (2.7%). Recrudescence rates did not differ between the probiotic and placebo groups. Of the 76 patients who had non-ulcer dyspepsia, 60 (78.9%) showed symptom resolution after 6 months. This beneficial effect was most pronounced in patients with postprandial distress syndrome (P=0.02).
Conclusions
Consecutive probiotic supplementation following H. pylori eradication therapy did not increase eradication rates or decrease recrudescence rates.

Keyword

Disease eradication; Probiotics