Lactobacillus reuteri compared with placebo as an adjuvant in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Abstract
Background: Given the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, it is crucial to improve Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) treatment interventions or provide adjunctive therapy. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate whether Lactobacillus reuteri ( L. reuteri) could improve H. pylori eradication rate, reduce the incidence of adverse events (AEs), and alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms. Design: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing L. reuteri supplementation therapy with placebo was conducted. Sources and methods: We retrieved relevant studies from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The primary outcome was H. pylori eradication rate, and the scores on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and AEs were secondary outcomes. Results: Eight RCTs including 1087 patients were included in this analysis. The L. reuteri supplementation group showed significantly higher H. pylori eradication rates in both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis [ITT: 80.0% versus 72.6%; p = 0.005, relative risk (RR): 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.17; number needed to treat (NNT) = 14; PP: 81.8% versus 75.0%; p = 0.006, RR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03–1.16; NNT = 15]. Patients treated with L. reuteri showed greater improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms (pooled mean difference: −2.43, 95% CI: −4.56 to −0.29, p = 0.03). The incidence of AEs was significantly reduced in the L. reuteri supplementation group based on ITT and PP…
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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,087 participants or records.
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