Efficacy analysis of probiotics combined with standard therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in children

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of compound Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets or Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets combined with standard protocols for eradication of Helicobacter pylori(Hp) in children. Methods From March 2017 to March 2018, 120 children aged 3-10 years with Hp infection were admitted into the Department of Gastroenterology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, including 67 male and 53 female childen.They were divided into 3 groups (control group, compound Lactobacillus acidophilus group, Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group) by the method of random number table.Control group was given Clarithromycin+ Amoxicillin+ Omeprazole, for 14 days orally; compound Lactobacillus acidophilus group and Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group were given drugs respectively on the first day, 500 mg of compound Lactobacillus acidophilus was added, twice a day or 250 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group, twice a day orally, for 14 days, respectively.The adverse reactions in children were observed during the treatment, andurea 13C breath test or the stool Hp antigen test was performed at least 4 weeks by the end of the treatment, and the children with negative results were judged to be eradicated successfully.The ulcer healing, Hp eradication rate and incidence of adverse reactions(nausesa, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea) among the 3 groups were observed and the Hp eradication rate and the incidence of adverse reactions (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea) were compared. Results The eradication rates in the control group, the compound Lactobacillus group, and Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group were 80.0% (32/40 cases), 85.0% (34/40 cases), and 87.5% (35/40 cases), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.646); the ulcer healing rate was 100.0% of 101 Hp eradicators in 3 groups, and the ulcer healing rate of 19 cases without Hp eradicated was 48.15%, and there was a significant difference between them (χ2=51.30, P 0.05). The overall incidence of adverse reactions in Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group (P=0.021) and the incidence of diarrhea (P=0.002) and loss of appetite (P=0.021) was lower than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant.There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two probiotic groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Both compound Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets and Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group can reduce the overall incidence of adverse reactions and the incidence of diarrhea and appetite declines in children′s standard Hp eradication regimen without affecting Hp eradication rate. Key words: Helicobacter pylori; Eradication therapy; Probiotics; Child