Probiotic treatment for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in geriatric patients: A multicentre randomised controlled pilot study

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to evaluate effectiveness of probiotic supplementation in reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD). MethodA double-blind randomised controlled trial (registration number: ACTRN 12609000429257); with primary outcome prevention of AAD and secondary outcome reduction in diarrhoea duration, patients were randomised to receive probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus casei, Shirota strain or placebo. ResultsEighty-seven people (66-101 years old) were recruited to the study during their admission to the Geriatric Evaluation Management wards during August-October 2009. 41 received the active Yakult (Yakult Australia Pty Ltd, Dandenong South, Victoria, Australia) (12.2% diarrhoea) and 46 received placebo (8.7% diarrhoea). There was no significant difference in diarrhoea between the groups, Fisher's exact test, P = 0.729. The mean diarrhoea duration was 4 and 5 days for those administered Yakult and placebo, respectively. ConclusionThere was no significant difference between groups. However, we noted a low prevalence of AAD and this affects the sample size that will be required for any future study examining a beneficial effect of probiotic supplementation.