Probiotics in the Management of Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Probiotics are nowadays frequently used by patients with inflammatory bowel disease, however literature data are conflicting related to their importance. In mild to moderate ulcerative colitis probiotics can be used effectively in induction and maintaining remission, and prevention of pouchitis. As the other side of the shield, there is not sufficient evidence to support the use of probiotics in daily clinical practice in Crohn's disease. The aim of the present review is to provide help for clinicians about the probiotic use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The comparison of literature data is limited by the large number of probiotic strains, various combined preparations, and different doses applied in the clinical studies. Small number of comparable protocols and lack of standardization encumber the analysis of study results.