Psychobiotics as an Intervention in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Today’s perceived excess of work versus rest and excessive stressful situations are one of the potential factors for an increasing number of gastrointestinal disorders. Although the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) varies widely, it is assumed that up to 15% of the general population may be affected. Symptoms resulting from IBS take the form of pain, including difficulties with bowel movements, bloating, and a feeling of overflowing in the intestines. These symptoms have a negative impact on patients’ quality of life, so any possible intervention supported by Evidence-Based Medicine should effectively contribute to their improvement. In the following review, the authors compile the current knowledge based on the findings of researchers from around the world. The topic of probiotic therapy is increasingly discussed in the field of lower gastrointestinal disorders, and thus the authors discover links between probiotic strains and the improvement of health quality in patients with IBS, taking into consideration the ways it affects patients’ mental health. As a result, a systematic review was prepared based on 60 items of recent literature, of which more than 80% were published in the last 5 years.