Clinical trial NCT02013934: Probiotics in Prevention of Common Cold
Official title: Benefit and Tolerability of a Probiotic Product in Subjects With Increased Susceptibility to Common Cold
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Viral Infections of the Upper Respiratory Tract
Lead sponsor: Probi AB
Sponsor class: INDUSTRY
First posted: 2013-12-17
Enrollment: 899
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 70
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The objective of this study is to assess the benefit and tolerability of a probiotic product in subjects with increased susceptibility to common cold.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* males and females
* age 18-70 years
* increased risk for common cold (at least 4 episodes within 12 months)
* commitment to adhere to former diet and physical activity
* commitment not to use any products that may influence the study outcome (e.g. immune suppressants/immune stimulants, including paramedication such as e.g. Echinacea, analgesics/anti-rheumatics, anti-phlogistics, antitussives/expectorants, influenza remedies, mouth or throat therapeutics, decongestants, antibiotics, anti-histaminergic drugs, probiotics) during the study (except for rescue medication, see 7.5)
* women of child-bearing potential have to agree to use appropriate birth control methods Written consent of the subject to participate is a prerequisite for study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* acute / chronic upper / lower airways disease
* chronic cough of any origin
* any allergic reaction that may influence the study outcome (e.g. acute/chronic rhinitis)
* history of nasal reconstructive surgery
* presence of nasal ulcers or nasal polyps
* severe nasal septum deviation or other condition that could cause nasal obstruction
* congenital or acquired immunodeficiency disease (e.g. HIV infection)
* Bechterew's disease
* body temperature above 37.5°C
* suspected swine flu or influenza
* vaccination with a vaccine containing an adjuvant within 3 months prior to study start and during the study
* vaccination with a vaccine not containing an adjuvant within 6 weeks prior to study start and during the study
* stomach/gastrointestinal diseases
* serious organ or systemic diseases
* sleep disorder
* psychiatric disorders
* known sensitivity to the ingredients of the investigational product
* regular intake of products that may influence the study outcome (e.g. immune suppressants/immune stimulants, including paramedication such as e.g. Echinacea, analgesics/anti-rheumatics, anti-phlogistics, antitussives/expectorants, influenza remedies, mouth or throat therapeutics, decongestants, antibiotics, anti-histaminergic drugs, probiotics) within the last 4 weeks prior to study start
* habitual usage of nasal drops/spray
* pregnancy or nursing
* alcohol / drug abuse
* simultaneous participation in another clinical trial or participation in a clinical trial within the last 30 days
* insufficient compliance

Primary outcomes:
measure: Severity of cold symptoms
timeFrame: 3 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Incidence of common cold episodes
timeFrame: 3 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Berlin
country: Germany
facility: A&R
Study officials:
References:
citation: Ahren IL, Hillman M, Nordstrom EA, Larsson N, Niskanen TM. Fewer Community-Acquired Colds with Daily Consumption of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr. 2021 Jan 4;151(1):214-222. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxaa353.