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J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018 May 9. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15396. [Epub ahead of print]
Probiotics to Prevent Respiratory Infections in Nursing Homes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Wang B1, Hylwka T1, Smieja M1, Surrette M2, Bowdish DME1, Loeb M1.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the feasibility of conducting a large clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics to reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of long-term and chronic care facilities (LTCFs).
DESIGN:
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.
SETTING:
Fourteen nursing homes in Hamilton and surrounding region, Ontario, Canada.
PARTICIPANTS:
Nursing home residents aged 65 and older (N=209). Those who were taking immunosuppressives (steroids or other immunosuppressives) or had a hematological malignancy, structural heart disease, or gastroesophageal or intestinal injury and others at high risk of an endovascular infection were excluded.
INTERVENTION:
Participants were randomized to receive study probiotics-2 capsules of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (estimated 10 billion colony forming units of L. rhamnosus GG per capsule) or placebo (calcium carbonate) daily for 6 months.
MEASUREMENTS:
Laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infections.
RESULTS:
One hundred ninety-six individuals were included in the analysis: 100 in the probiotics group and 96 in the placebo group. Laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infections were observed in 14 (15.0%) residents in the probiotic group and 21 (22.9%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio=0.65, 95% confidence interval=0.32-1.31).
CONCLUSION:
A larger trial is warranted to determine whether probiotics reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of LTCFs.
? 2018, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation ? 2018, The American Geriatrics Society.
KEYWORDS:
L. rhamnosus GG; elderly; nursing home; probiotics; respiratory infections
PMID: 29741754 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15396
Probiotics to Prevent Respiratory Infections in Nursing Homes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Wang B1, Hylwka T1, Smieja M1, Surrette M2, Bowdish DME1, Loeb M1.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the feasibility of conducting a large clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics to reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of long-term and chronic care facilities (LTCFs).
DESIGN:
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.
SETTING:
Fourteen nursing homes in Hamilton and surrounding region, Ontario, Canada.
PARTICIPANTS:
Nursing home residents aged 65 and older (N=209). Those who were taking immunosuppressives (steroids or other immunosuppressives) or had a hematological malignancy, structural heart disease, or gastroesophageal or intestinal injury and others at high risk of an endovascular infection were excluded.
INTERVENTION:
Participants were randomized to receive study probiotics-2 capsules of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (estimated 10 billion colony forming units of L. rhamnosus GG per capsule) or placebo (calcium carbonate) daily for 6 months.
MEASUREMENTS:
Laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infections.
RESULTS:
One hundred ninety-six individuals were included in the analysis: 100 in the probiotics group and 96 in the placebo group. Laboratory-confirmed respiratory viral infections were observed in 14 (15.0%) residents in the probiotic group and 21 (22.9%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio=0.65, 95% confidence interval=0.32-1.31).
CONCLUSION:
A larger trial is warranted to determine whether probiotics reduce influenza and other respiratory virus infections in residents of LTCFs.
? 2018, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation ? 2018, The American Geriatrics Society.
KEYWORDS:
L. rhamnosus GG; elderly; nursing home; probiotics; respiratory infections
PMID: 29741754 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15396