Review on Efficacy and Health Services Research Studies of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective：To assess the evidence of the use and efficacy for complementary and alternative medicine（CAM） in inflammatory bowel disease（IBD）. Methods：A systematic literature search in MEDLINE was performed for randomized controlled trials（RCTs） in Crohn＇s disease and ulcerative colitis.Moreover,a selective literature search for health services research studies on the use of CAM in patients with IBD was performed.Results：Health services research studies showed a high use of CAM in adult and pediatric patients with IBD worldwide.In contrast to the high use among IBD patients,there was a lack of high-quality data for many of the used CAM methods.Although most of the studies showed positive results,the methodological quality of most studies was rather low;therefore,the results had to be interpreted with caution.While there were many studies for probiotics and fish oil,RCTs for the highly used method homeopathy, for most herbal products,and for traditional Chinese medicine methods apart from acupuncture RCTs were completely lacking.Conclusions：The lack of high-quality studies might be the consequence of the problems associated with the funding of clinical trials involving CAM.However,having the high user rates in mind,high-quality studies assessing efficacy and safety of those methods are urgently needed.Furthermore,there is a need for better representation of CAM in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education.

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions on the well-being of healthcare workers:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Growing evidence attests to the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs),but their effectiveness for healthcare workers remains uncertain.Aims To evaluate the evidence for MBIs in improving healthcare workers’psychological well-being.Methods A systematic literature search was conducted on Medline,Embase,Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature,PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 31 August 2022 using the keywords‘healthcare worker’,‘doctor’,‘nurse’,‘allied health’,‘mindfulness’,‘wellness’,‘workshop’and‘program’.Randomised controlled trials with a defined MBI focusing on healthcare workers and quantitative outcome measures related to subjective or psychological well-being were eligible for inclusion.R V.4.0.3 was used for data analysis,with the standardised mean difference as the primary outcome,employing DerSimonian and Laird’s random effects model.Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation framework was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies.Results A total of 27 studies with 2506 participants were included,mostly from the USA,involving various healthcare professions.MBIs such as stress reduction programmes,apps,meditation and training showed small to large effects on anxiety,burnout,stress,depression,psychological distress and job strain outcomes of the participants.Positive effects were also seen in self-compassion,empathy,mindfulness and well-being.However,long-term outcomes(1 month or longer postintervention)varied,and the effects were not consistently sustained.Conclusions MBIs offer short-term benefits in reducing stress-related symptoms in healthcare workers.The review also highlights limitations such as intervention heterogeneity,reduced power in specific subgroup analyses and variable study quality.

A national longitudinal cohort study of factors contributing to UK medical students’mental ill-health symptoms

Background The mental health of current medical students is predictive of their mental health as future doctors.The prevalence of anxiety,depression and burnout is high among medical students,but less is known about the occurrence of other mental ill-health symptoms,such as eating or personality disorders,and factors contributing to mental ill-health.Aims(1)To explore the prevalence of various mental ill-health symptoms in medical students and(2)to investigate what medical school factors and students’attitudes contribute to these mental ill-health symptoms.Methods Between November 2020 and May 2021,medical students from nine geographically spread medical schools in the UK participated by completing online questionnaires at two points in time,approximately 3 months apart.Results Of the 792 participants who filled in the questionnaire at baseline,over half experienced medium to high somatic symptoms(50.8%;402)and drank alcohol at hazardous levels(62.4%;494).Adjusted longitudinal data analysis of 407 students who completed the follow-up questionnaire demonstrated that less supportive educational climates that were more competitive and less centralised around the students,lower feelings of belongingness,greater stigma towards mental ill-health and lower intentions to seek help for mental ill-health,all contributed to students’mental ill-health symptoms.Conclusions Medical students experience a high prevalence of various mental ill-health symptoms.This study suggests that medical school factors and students’attitudes towards mental ill-health are significantly associated with students’mental health.

Effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for acute esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with band ligation: A large observational study

BACKGROUND Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication associated with liver cirrhosis and typically necessitates endoscopic hemostasis.The current standard treatment is endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL),and Western guidelines recom-mend antibiotic prophylaxis following hemostasis.However,given the impro-vements in prognosis for variceal bleeding due to advancements in the management of bleeding and treatments of liver cirrhosis and the global concerns regarding the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria,there is a need to reassess the use of routine antibiotic prophylaxis after hemostasis.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients treated for EVL.METHODS We conducted a 13-year observational study using the Tokushukai medical database across 46 hospitals.Patients were divided into the prophylaxis group(received antibiotics on admission or the next day)and the non-prophylaxis group(did not receive antibiotics within one day of admission).The primary outcome was composed of 6-wk mortality,4-wk rebleeding,and 4-wk spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP).The secondary outcomes were each individual result and in-hospital mortality.A logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used.A subgroup analysis was conducted based on the Child-Pugh classification to determine its influence on the primary outcome measures,while sensitivity analyses for antibiotic type and duration were also performed.RESULTS Among 980 patients,790 were included(prophylaxis:232,non-prophylaxis:558).Most patients were males under the age of 65 years with a median Child-Pugh score of 8.The composite primary outcomes occurred in 11.2%of patients in the prophylaxis group and 9.5%in the non-prophylaxis group.No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the groups(adjusted odds ratio,1.11;95%confidence interval,0.61-1.99;P=0.74).Individual outcomes such as 6-wk mortality,4-wk rebleeding,4-wk onset of SBP,and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between the groups.The primary outcome did not differ between the Child-Pugh subgroups.Similar results were observed in the sensitivity analyses.CONCLUSION No significant benefit to antibiotic prophylaxis for esophageal variceal bleeding treated with EVL was detected in this study.Global reassessment of routine antibiotic prophylaxis is imperative.

Bicycle-related traumatic injuries: a retrospective study during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND:This study aimed to review bicycle-related injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist with reinforcement or implementation of new policies for injury prevention.METHODS:This is a retrospective descriptive analysis of injuries sustained during cycling for patients 18 years old and above who presented to Singapore General Hospital from January to June 2021.Medical records were reviewed and consolidated.Descriptive analyses were used to summarize patient characteristics,and differences in characteristics subgrouped by triage acuity and discharge status were analyzed.RESULTS:The study included 272 patients with a mean age of 43 years and a male predominance(71.7%).Most presented without referrals(88.2%)and were not conveyed by ambulances(70.6%).Based on acuity category,there were 24(8.8%)Priority 1(P1)patients with 7 trauma activations,174(64.0%)and 74(27.2%)P2 and P3 patients respectively.The most common injuries were fractures(34.2%),followed by superficial abrasion/contusion(29.4%)and laceration/wound(19.1%).Thirteen(4.8%)patients experienced head injury and 85 patients(31.3%)were documented to be wearing a helmet.The majority occurred on the roads as traffic accidents(32.7%).Forty-two patients(15.4%)were admitted with a mean length of stay of 4.1 d and 17(6.3%)undergone surgical procedures.Out of 214(78.7%)discharged patients,no re-attendances or mortality were observed.In the subgroup analysis,higher acuity patients were generally older,with higher proportions of head injuries leading to admission.CONCLUSION:Our study highlights significant morbidities in bicycle-related injuries.There is also a high proportion of fractures in the young healthy male population.Injury prevention is paramount and we propose emphasizing helmet use and road user safety.

住院患者认知障碍识别和信息管理的整合性综述

目的旨在对目前提供急性照护的医院识别认知障碍患者以及在病历中记录和管理认知相关信息的实际情况及政策要求和推荐方法进行综述。方 法采用Whittemore和Knaf1的五步法,系统检索Medline,CINAHL和Scopus数据库,并检索了灰色文献来源。纳人了提供急性照护的医院已实施的患者认知障碍识别和认知信息管理相关的文献。采用混合方法评价工具和灰色文献质量评估清单对文章质量进行评价。采用主题分析法呈现和整合结果。该综述已在PROSPERO预注册(CRD42022343577)。结果 共22篇原始研究文献和10篇政府/行业文件被纳人分析。结果显示,实践和政策之间存在差距。尽管在政策层面上高度重视认知障碍的识别、认知相关信息的透明度,以及与患者、家属和照顾者(如适用)之间的互动,但有时在临床实践中,认知评估是非正式的,患者的认知相关信息未作记录,与患者、家属和照顾者的互动也存在不足。结 论.通过整合认知评估,利用信息技术开发信息管理综合系统,建立相关法律法规,提供教育与和培训,并采用国家层面的策略,有可能显著改善对认知障碍患者的识别和护理。

State-of-the-art of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease research in 2008

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are two of the leading causes of chronic intestinal conditions in the world. This issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology (WJG ) presents a series of papers from world experts who discuss the current knowledge and opinions on these important conditions. Although great strides have been made in the diagnosis, treatment and pathology of IBS and IBD; much has yet to be explained. The etiologies and risk factors of these multifactorial conditions remain elusive. Specific diagnostic biomarkers need to be developed and safer treatments developed. The burden of IBS and IBD on the healthcare system is felt with repeated medical care visits and high costs. IBS and IBD patients can account for 30%-50% of office visits at gastroenterology services/clinics. Over one million people have IBD in the United States, with 30 000 new cases being diagnosed every year. One-quarter million people in the UK are afflicted with IBD. The cost of medical care in the United States for IBD is estimated to be $1.8 billion/year.

Veterans health administration hepatitis B testing and treatment with anti-CD20 antibody administration

AIM: To evaluate pretreatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing, vaccination, and antiviral treatment rates in Veterans Affairs patients receiving anti-CD20 Ab for quality improvement.METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using a national repository of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic health record data. We identified all patients receiving anti-CD20 Ab treatment (2002-2014). We ascertained patient demographics, laboratory results, HBV vaccination status (from vaccination records), pharmacy data, and vital status. The high risk period for HBV reactivation is during anti-CD20 Ab treatment and 12 mo follow up. Therefore, we analyzed those who were followed to death or for at least 12 mo after completing anti-CD20 Ab. Pretreatment serologic tests were used to categorize chronic HBV (hepatitis B surface antigen positive or HBsAg+), past HBV (HBsAg-, hepatitis B core antibody positive or HBcAb+), resolved HBV (HBsAg-, HBcAb+, hepatitis B surface antibody positive or HBsAb+), likely prior vaccination (isolated HBsAb+), HBV negative (HBsAg-, HBcAb-), or unknown. Acute hepatitis B was defined by the appearance of HBsAg+ in the high risk period in patients who were pretreatment HBV negative. We assessed HBV antiviral treatment and the incidence of hepatitis, liver failure, and death during the high risk period. Cumulative hepatitis, liver failure, and death after anti-CD20 Ab initiation were compared by HBV disease categories and differences compared using the χ2 test. Mean time to hepatitis peak alanine aminotransferase, liver failure, and death relative to anti-CD20 Ab administration and follow-up were also compared by HBV disease group.RESULTS: Among 19304 VHA patients who received anti-CD20 Ab, 10224 (53%) had pretreatment HBsAg testing during the study period, with 49% and 43% tested for HBsAg and HBcAb, respectively within 6 mo pretreatment in 2014. Of those tested, 2% (167/10224) had chronic HBV, 4% (326/7903) past HBV, 5% (427/8110) resolved HBV, 8% (628/8110) likely prior HBV vaccination, and 76% (6022/7903) were HBV negative. In those with chronic HBV infection, ≤ 37% received HBV antiviral treatment during the high risk period while 21% to 23% of those with past or resolved HBV, respectively, received HBV antiviral treatment. During and 12 mo after anti-CD20 Ab, the rate of hepatitis was significantly greater in those HBV positive vs negative (P = 0.001). The mortality rate was 35%-40% in chronic or past hepatitis B and 26%-31% in hepatitis B negative. In those pretreatment HBV negative, 16 (0.3%) developed acute hepatitis B of 4947 tested during anti-CD20Ab treatment and follow-up.CONCLUSION: While HBV testing of Veterans has increased prior to anti-CD20 Ab, few HBV+ patients received HBV antivirals, suggesting electronic health record algorithms may enhance health outcomes.

A Qualitative Assessment of People-Centeredness of Inpatient Tuberculosis Treatment Services in Armenia

Background: People-centered tuberculosis (TB) care promotes treatment adherence and outcomes. TB patients’ and families’ health education and protection of their rights are among the core components of people-centered care. We aimed to assess the level of people-centeredness of TB care as a proxy to quality in the largest inpatient unit of the National Pulmonology Center (NPC) in Armenia. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study by interviewing clinical and administrative staff, TB patients, and family members to learn their experiences about patient and family education and rights (PFE&R) protection practices focusing on two Joint Commission International (JCI) Standards for Hospital Accreditation. Mixed-conventional inductive and directed deductive content approach guided the analysis of data. Results: The study revealed various gaps in the provided services. According to the TB physicians and nurses, they routinely educated patients and families and took actions to protect their rights. However, practices reported by TB providers varied across clinical departments and professionals and did not meet the recommendations of the JCI standards. The document review revealed that no written policies or procedures existed in the NPC inpatient unit to guide the implementation of PFE&R. Lastly, patients’ inconsistent experiences were also indicative of the lack of standardization and issues with PFE&R implementation. Conclusion: Bridging the gap between existing and recommended practices by establishing and enforcing new people-centered policies and procedures is a pledge for improving operations and patients’ experiences with a potential nationwide impact in Armenia.

Healthcare Overuse： A Literature Review and Taxonomy Proposal

Healthcare overuse is the provision of care in which the benefits do not justify the harms and/or costs. Overuse literature is poorly categorized thus impeding research, practice, and policy to reduce overuse and improve healthcare quality. We developed an overuse taxonomy and searched for and reviewed the healthcare overuse literature in an attempt to better understand and categorize research on overuse practice and patterns. We found that more than two-thirds of articles were observational （70%）, the most prevalent purpose of overuse was treatment/secondary prevention （69%）, the most common type of overuse was overtreatment （73 %）, drivers of and methods to reduce overuse were each discussed in about 40% of abstracts, and the most frequently mentioned clinical area was pharmacy. A high volume of overuse literature exists. However, the majority of overuse research is observational, descriptive, and focuses on overtreatment and overprescribing rather than methods to reduce overuse. Some overuse is not labelled as such. Our taxonomy adequately organized the existing literature and identified areas where additional research efforts are most needed. A common taxonomy, such as ours, could help researchers categorize their work, assist clinicians and policymakers in identifying and implementing findings, and guide future research to improve healthcare quality.

Work and activity in rehabilitation of persons with co-occurring severe mental health difficulties and substance use problems

Background: Participating in working life is important for most peoples’ economy, self-confidence, independence, social life, and feeling of belonging. Persons with co-occurring severe mental health difficulties and substance use problems have challenges in entering working life. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the importance of work and activity for the recovery of persons with co-occurring severe mental health difficulties and substance use problems and to determine the significant elements that aid them in getting into work and/or meaningful activities. Methods: A professional development program was conducted to explore how following-up on these persons could lead to participation in working life. The data were collected through qualitative interviews with 24 participants, and with 25 of those carrying out the follow-up. Results: The participants described the benefit from the follow-up as well. They expressed enthusiasm for work and vocational training, although they all did not obtain work. Many had a better life, with more daily structure and less substance abuse. The personal encounter between the helper and the participant was ascribed crucial importance— being respected and valued, being relied on, and being able to be honest were considered significant. Conclusions: The participants valued work and regular activities, a more structured life, decreased drug abuse, and altogether a better life. The helpers’ respect, recognition and their ability to see dignity through wretchedness?and broken agreements were important. The participants emphasized the importance of getting help for different problems from different helpers at the same time, and the providers’ interdisciplinary collaboration in teams was essential. It seems that the supported employment philosophy on speedy job seeking ought to be adapted to this target group and that prior social training may be necessary.

全方位健康照护国家标准在医院内的实施和影响:整合性综述

目的基于现有证据,综合评述在提供急性期照护的医院实施全方位健康照护国家标准的方法、挑战和促进因素及影响。方法采用Whittemore和Knafl的五步法,系统检索Medline、CINAHL Cochrane图书馆、Scopus和Web of Science数据库,并检索灰色文献,包括政府文件和网页,文献发布时间限定为2000年1月1日至2023年1月31日。对纳人研究进行JBI质量审查和定性内容分析。结果该综述共纳入16篇文献,包括5篇原始研究、5篇政府报告和6个政府官方网页。澳大利亚、挪威和英国均有全面护理国家标准。澳大利亚和英国有明确的标准实施框架,澳大利亚标准包含减少患者伤害的特别组成部分。有限的研究表明,在医院实施全方位健康照护国家标准的挑战包括:实施流程化、临终关怀行动.减少患者伤害及多学科团队制定全方位健康照护计划方面的困难,缺乏标准化照护计划和以患者为中心目标的文件,以及繁重的文书工作。实施的促进因素包括:创建使用标准化沟通框架进行交接的照护计划模板,提高文书工作、临床决策和直接患者护理的效率,以及患者和专业人员之间的主动协作。澳大利亚引人全方位健康照护国家标准显示对患者预后有积极的影响。结论澳大利亚、挪威和英国的全方位健康照护国家标准的组成和实施方法略有不同。需要进行更多相关研究,评估在提供急性期照护的医院实施全方位健康照护国家标准的挑战和促进因素,以及实施效果。

Differences in Pandemic-Related Factors Associated with Alcohol and Substance Use among Korean Adolescents:Nationwide Representative Study

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has raised concerns about the mental health and social well-being of youth,including its potential to increase or exacerbate substance use behaviors[1].Among adolescents,the COVID-19pandemic has resulted in limited face-to-face school contact and thus missed milestones in preventing alcohol and substance use.

健康素养及运动干预对2型糖尿病患者身体测量指标的影响

目的评估健康素养和运动干预对2型糖尿病患者体质指数(BMI)和腰臀比(WHR)的影响。方法从上海市闵行区和长宁区选8个社区,整群随机分为健康素养组、运动组、综合组和对照组,招募800例患者,每组200例。干预组分别接受1年的健康素养和/或运动干预,并在第3、6、12和24个月进行随访,测量身高、体重、腰围和臀围。运用广义估计方程评估干预措施在各时间点对患者体型的影响。结果健康素养组在6、12和24个月时BMI均显著低于基线水平(P<0.05),其超重风险也明显下降,分别为基线时的55%(95%CI:0.36~0.84)、57%(95%CI:0.38~0.85)和59%(95%CI:0.49~0.88),但与对照组相比变化差异无统计学意义。运动组基线时腹型肥胖(WHR≥0.90)的男性患者WHR在3、6、12和24个月时均较基线显著改善,呈线性下降趋势,且与对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P <0.05)。基线时腹型肥胖(WHR≥0.85)的女性患者中,运动组和对照组在前3次随访中WHR较基线明显下降,而综合组仅在3个月时下降0.026 (P=0.005)。结论运动干预可有效降低腹型肥胖糖尿病患者的腰臀比,可在肥胖患者中推广使用,以期改善其预后。

中老年妇女脂肪摄入量与恶性肿瘤关系的横断面研究

目的：探讨上海市区中老年妇女的脂肪摄入量与恶性肿瘤之间的关系。方法：根据上海女性健康研究（Shanghai Women’s Health Study，SWHS）队列中74942名研究对象的基线调查资料，分析了研究对象的脂肪摄入情况，同时采用非条件logistic回归模型分析脂肪摄入量与恶性肿瘤患病之间的关系。结果：研究对象脂肪日均摄入量的中位数为27．40（20．43，35．97）g，均数为（29．46±13．41）g。脂肪摄入量与所有肿瘤以及乳腺癌、胃癌、结肠癌和子宫内膜癌的患病率呈明显正相关。若与脂肪摄入量最低组相比，脂肪摄入量最高组相应的上述各部位癌症的OR分别为2．23[95％的可信区间（confidence interval，CI）：1．83～2．70]、2．31（95％CI：1．69～3．17）、3．03（95％CI：1．43～6．43）、2．1g（95％CI：0．98～4．67）和3．14（95％CI：1．22～8．08），具有统计学意义。脂肪摄入量与肺癌、直肠癌和甲状腺癌各组的OR无统计学意义，但趋势检验显示为具有或接近于统计学意义。结论：上海市区中老年妇女的脂肪摄入量与所有肿瘤以及乳腺癌等的患病率呈正相关。

英美中三国全科医生培养模式对比研究

全科人才培养是全科医学发展的关键任务,目前我国的全科医生教育培养工作已经取得一定进展,但仍存在合格的全科医生数量不足、全科医生培养体系不完善等问题。英国和美国的全科医生培养起步较早,现已形成较为完善的人才培养体系。本文介绍了英国全科医生培养的"5+2+3"模式、美国全科医生培养的"4+4+3"模式,并将其与我国目前的"5+3"全科医生培养模式进行对比。认为我国的全科医生培养应进一步明确培养目标,提升全科医生的综合素养,全面提高全科医生的岗位胜任力;同时,应建设标准化的全科医学住院医师培训体系,包括培训大纲、带教师资、培训基地、考核评价等方面。

Systematic review and meta-analysis of Saccharomyces boulardii in adult patients

This article reviews the evidence for efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii(S.boulardii) for various disease indications in adults based on the peerreviewed,randomized clinical trials and pre-clinical studies from the published medical literature(Medline,Clinical Trial websites and meeting abstracts) between 1976 and 2009.For meta-analysis,only randomized,blinded controlled trials unrestricted by language were included.Pre-clinical studies,volunteer studies and uncontrolled studies were excluded from the review of efficacy and meta-analysis,but included in the systematic review.Of 31 randomized,placebo-controlled treatment arms in 27 trials(encompassing 5029 study patients),S.boulardii was found to be significantly efficacious and safe in 84% of those treatment arms.A meta-analysis found a significant therapeutic efficacy for S.boulardii in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD)(RR = 0.47,95% CI:0.35-0.63,P < 0.001).In adults,S.boulardii can be strongly recommended for the prevention of AAD and the traveler's diarrhea.Randomized trials also support the use of this yeast probiotic for prevention of enteral nutrition-related diarrhea and reduction of Heliobacter pylori treatment-related symptoms.S.boulardii shows promise for the prevention of C.difficile disease recurrences;treatment of irritable bowel syndrome,acute adult diarrhea,Crohn's disease,giardiasis,human immunodeficiency virus-related diarrhea;but more supporting evidence is recommended for these indications.The use of S.boulardii as a therapeutic probiotic is evidence-based for both efficacy and safety for several types of diarrhea.

Acupuncture treatment in gastrointestinal diseases: A systematic review

The purpose of this work was to assess the evidence for effectiveness of acupuncture （AC） treatment in gastrointestinal diseases. A systematic review of the Medline-cited literature for clinical trials was performed up to May 2006. Controlled trials assessing acupuncture point stimulation for patients with gastrointestinal diseases were considered for inclusion. The search identified 18 relevant trials meeting the inclusion criteria. Two irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） trials, 1 Crohn＇s disease and 1 colitis ulcerosa trial had a robust random controlled trial （RCT） design. In regard to other gastrointestinal disorders, study quality was poor. In all trials, quality of life （QoL） improved significantly independently from the kind of acupuncture, real or sham. Real AC was significantly superior to sham acupuncture with regard to disease activity scores in the Crohn and Colitis trials. Efficacy of acupuncture related to QoL in IBS may be explained by unspecific effects. This is the same for QoL in inflammatory bowel diseases （IBD）, whereas specific acupuncture effects may be found in clinical scores. Further trials for IBDs and in particular for all other gastrointestinal disorders would be necessary to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture treatment. However, it must be discussed on what terms patients benefit when this harmless and obviously powerful therapy with regard to QoL is demystified by further placebo controlled trials.

Meta-analysis of probiotics for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） is a chronic condition affecting 3%-25% of the general population. As no curative treatment is available, therapy is aimed at reducing symptoms, often with little success. Because alteration of the normal intestinal microflora has been observed in IBS, probiotics （beneficial microbes taken to improve health） may be useful in reducing symptoms. This paper systematically reviews randomized, controlled, blinded bials of probiotics for the treatment of IBS and synthesizes data on efficacy across trials of adequate quality. Pubr4ed, Medline, Google Scholar, NIH registry of clinical trials, metaRegister, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1982-2007. We also conducted secondary searches of reference lists, reviews, commentaries, relevant articles on associated diseases, books and meeting abstracts. Twenty trials with 23 probiotic treatment arms and a total of 1404 subjects met inclusion criteria. Probiotic use was associated with improvement in global IBS symptoms compared to placebo [pooled relative risk （RRpooled） 0.77, 95% confidence interval （95% CI） 0.62-0.94]. Probiotics were also associated with less abdominal pain compared to placebo [RRpooled = 0.78 （0.69-0.88）]. Too few studies reported data on other IBS symptoms or on specific probiotic strains to allow estimation of a pooled RR. While our analyses suggest that probiotic use may be associated with improvement in IBS symptoms compared to placebo, these results should be interpreted with caution, given the methodological limitations of contributing studies. Probiotics warrant further study as a potential therapy for IBS.