BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Meta-analyses point to a modest but significant effect of probiotics on symptoms in @entity1744 ( @entity1744 ). We aimed to assess the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) on symptoms and quality of life in @entity1744 @entity1 in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: @entity1744 @entity1 (Rome II) between 18 and 65 years of age were included. The study consisted of an 8-week intervention period in which the @entity1 received probiotic (LcS) or placebo twice daily, followed by an 8-week follow-up period. Symptom diaries and quality of life were scored at weeks 0, 8 and 16. The primary outcome parameter was a decrease of at least 30% in a composite @entity1109 ( @entity1109 ) at week 8 on the basis of an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-nine individuals (67% @entity1 ) were included in the probiotic group and 41 individuals (71% @entity1 ) were included in the placebo group. After the intervention period, the mean relative improvement did not reach 30% for @entity1109 or any individual symptom score. After follow-up (week 16), a mean improvement of at least 30% was achieved for @entity1109 in the probiotic group, but no significant difference was found between both treatment groups (mean  SD: 34  7%; 13  8%, P=0.06). CONCLUSION: After probiotic treatment with LcS, no improvement of 30% in @entity1109 was observed after 8 weeks.

Efficacy of Lactobacillus casei Shirota for @entity1 with XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'women', 'patients'] @entity1109 :: ('MESH:D012678', 'Disease') :: ['MSS', 'mean symptom score'] @entity1744 :: ('MESH:D043183', 'Disease') :: ['irritable bowel syndrome', 'IBS']
@entity1744 :: (MESH:D043183,Disease) :: ['irritable bowel syndrome']
