Probiotics for Preventing Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Laodong Li,Qixiang Sun,Kangkang Hong,Lejin Lai,Huan Xiao,Chaoqian Li,Moyu Ming,Vincenzo De Feo

doi:10.1155/2020/8734140

Abstract

Background Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common and burdensome infectious illness. Several trials have reported that probiotics can prevent URTIs in adults. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics in the prevention of URTIs in adults. Methods PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for reports published from database inception to May 14, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing probiotics with placebo for the prevention of URTIs in adults were included. Results Six RCTs with 1551 participants were included. Compared with the placebo group, the probiotics intervention group significantly reduced the incidence of URTI episodes (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.87; P < 0.0001; I2 = 26%), the episode rate of URTIs (rate ratio: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.86; P = 0.0002; I2 = 99%), and the mean duration of one episode of URTI (MD: −2.66; 95% CI: −4.79 to −0.54; P = 0.01; I2 = 80%). The adverse events of probiotics were mainly mild gastrointestinal symptoms. There were no significant differences in occurrence rate of adverse effects between probiotics intervention and placebo group (rate ratio: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.26; P = 0.96; I2 = 99%). Conclusion Low-quality evidence provides support that probiotics have potential efficacy for preventing URTI episodes in adults. More trials are required to confirm this conclusion.

Highlights

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are the most common diseases, including the rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and common cold
Compared with the placebo group, the probiotics intervention group significantly reduced the incidence of URTI episodes (RR: 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.68 to 0.87; P < 0.0001; I2 = 26%), the episode rate of URTIs, and the mean duration of one episode of URTI (MD: −2.66; 95% CI: −4.79 to −0.54; P 0.01; I2 = 80%). e adverse events of probiotics were mainly mild gastrointestinal symptoms. ere were no significant differences in occurrence rate of adverse effects between probiotics intervention and placebo group
A total of 6263 articles were identified by searching the databases, and 1846 duplicates were excluded. e remaining 4417 articles were screened by title and abstract, 4361 of which were excluded

Summary

Introduction

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are the most common diseases, including the rhinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and common cold. Erefore, it has great significance to prevent episodes of URTIs. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common and burdensome infectious illness. Several trials have reported that probiotics can prevent URTIs in adults. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics in the prevention of URTIs in adults. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing probiotics with placebo for the prevention of URTIs in adults were included. Ere were no significant differences in occurrence rate of adverse effects between probiotics intervention and placebo group (rate ratio: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.80 to 1.26; P 0.96; I2 = 99%). Low-quality evidence provides support that probiotics have potential efficacy for preventing URTI episodes in adults.

Methods

Results

Conclusion