Linked Life Data

9570649

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/9570649

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
2
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-6-18
pubmed:abstractText
Diarrhoea is a common side effect of antibiotic therapy, especially in the elderly. Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic yeast which has been demonstrated to reduce the frequency of diarrhoea in patients due to a variety of causes. We set out to assess its role in preventing antibiotic-related diarrhoea. Consecutive patients over the age of 65 admitted to medical wards, and who were being prescribed antibiotics, were randomized to receive either S. boulardii 113 g twice daily or placebo for as long as they received antibiotics. Bowel habit was monitored using a record of interdefaecatory intervals (IDI) and stool form graded 1-4 (hard to liquid). Stool samples were tested every fourth day for Clostridium difficile toxin. Of the 72 patients randomized, 69 completed the study. There was no difference in sex, age, duration of antibiotic use, length of hospital stay, IDI, stool form, the proportion of patients receiving laxatives, the number of patients experiencing watery stools (seven vs. five), or the presence of C. difficile toxin (five vs. three). No side effects were attributable to S. boulardii. There was no evidence that the concomitant use of S. boulardii with antibiotics alters patients' bowel habits or prevents the appearance of C. difficile toxin in the stool. Thus, S. boulardii cannot be recommended as a 'natural' way to prevent antibiotic-related diarrhoea. This highlights the need for proper evaluation of probiotics before their unrestricted use in medical practice.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0163-4453
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
36
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
171-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
The lack of therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in the prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhoea in elderly patients.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, UK.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't