Clinical Guidance and Practical Recommendations for Probiotic Use in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Constipation, and Clostridium difficile Infection Considering Sex-based Differen
12 hours ago
- #probiotics
- #gastrointestinal disorders
- #sex-based differences
- Probiotics are gaining attention as adjunctive treatment for lower gastrointestinal disorders, but evidence on efficacy is limited, especially regarding sex-related differences.
- Probiotics may modestly improve symptoms in IBS (global symptoms, abdominal pain, bloating) and enhance bowel movement frequency and stool consistency in FC, but effects are strain-specific and heterogeneous.
- Animal studies suggest sex-dependent responses to probiotics in stress-induced IBS models, though clinical studies have not confirmed significant sex-related differences in humans.
- For CDI, probiotic efficacy in preventing primary or recurrent infections is inconsistent, and guidelines do not routinely recommend their use, though sex and age differences in immunology may influence outcomes.
- Probiotics are generally safe for healthy individuals but should be used cautiously in immunocompromised or critically ill patients.
- Clinicians should select probiotics based on strain-specific evidence, viable doses, and patient characteristics, including sex.
- Further research is needed to optimize personalized probiotic strategies for IBS, FC, and CDI.