CONCLUSIONS VSL#3 , when added to conventional therapy at a daily dose of 3.6 × 10 CFU/d , is safe and more effective than conventional therapy alone in achieving higher response and remission rates in mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis
BACKGROUND VSL#3 is a probiotic mix preparation reported to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis .
We aim ed to perform a systematic review of the literature and a meta- analysis of studies on its efficacy .
The probiotic preparation, VSL#3 induces remission in patients with mild-to-moderately active ulcerative colitis.
BACKGROUND & AIMS Probiotics can maintain ulcerative colitis ( UC ) in remission effectively , but little is known of their ability to induce remission . We conducted a multicenter , r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of a high-potency probiotic , VSL#3 , for the treatment of mild-to-moderately active UC . METHODS Adult patients with mild-to-moderate UC were assigned r and omly to groups that were given 3.6 x 10(12 ) CFU VSL#3 ( n = 77 ) or placebo ( n = 70 ) , twice daily for 12 weeks . The primary end point was a 50 % decrease in the Ulcerative Colitis Disease Activity Index ( UCDAI ) at 6 weeks . The secondary end points included remission by 12 weeks and reduction in total individual UCDAI parameters from baseline at 12 weeks . Intention-to-treat analysis was performed . RESULTS At week 6 , the percentage of patients with an improvement in UCDAI score that was greater than 50 % was significantly higher in the group given VSL#3 ( 25 ; 32.5 % ) than the group given placebo ( 7 ; 10 % ) ( P = .001 ) . At week 12 , there were 33 patients given VSL#3 ( 42.9 % ) who achieved remission , compared with 11 patients given placebo ( 15.7 % ) ( P < .001 ) . Furthermore , significantly more patients given VSL#3 ( 40 ; 51.9 % ) achieved a decrease in their UCDAI that was greater than 3 points , compared with those given placebo ( 13 ; 18.6 % ) ( P < .001 ) . The VSL#3 group had significantly greater decreases in UCDAI scores and individual symptoms at weeks 6 and 12 , compared with the placebo group . CONCLUSIONS VSL#3 is safe and effective in achieving clinical responses and remissions in patients with mild-to-moderately active UC
CONCLUSIONS VSL#3 , when added to conventional therapy at a daily dose of 3.6 × 10 CFU/d , is safe and more effective than conventional therapy alone in achieving higher response and remission rates in mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis
BACKGROUND VSL#3 is a probiotic mix preparation reported to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis .
We aim ed to perform a systematic review of the literature and a meta- analysis of studies on its efficacy .