Effect of probiotic yogurt in long-term adjuvant treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis after hepatitis B

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of probiotic yogurt in resolving enteric flora imbalance,reducing risks of hepatic encephalopathy and improving life quality of patients with liver cirrhosis after hepatitis B.Methods Totals of 74 patients with liver cirrhosis after hepatitis B were selected and randomly divided into the control group (n =38) and the yogurt group (n =36).The control group received conventional treatment to protect the liver and promote urination,while the yogurt group had probiotic yogurt 30 minutes after meals in addition.Chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) score,ammonia content in bloody stool,pH value of dejection and content of common flora were compared between two groups after two weeks of treatment.Results CLDQ score in the yogurt group improved after treatment,especially in abdominal symptoms,anxiety and acratia,which was respectively (5.78 ± 0.81),(5.91 ± 0.81) and (5.66 ± 0.61) after treatment and (4.77 ±0.50),(4.93 ± 0.97) and (4.89 ± 0.67) before.There were statistically significant differences before and after in the yogurt group (t =3.35,2.46,2.67,respectively;P ＜0.05),compared to no statistically significant difference in the control group.Content of blood ammonia and stool ammonia as well as pH value of dejection decreased in the yogurt group.Beneficial bacterium had grown and harmful bacteria had dropped.Conclusions Probiotic yogurt can take part in the long-term adjuvant treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis after hepatitis B. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Yogurt; Probiotic; Chronic liver disease questionnaire(CLDQ)