Suadoni, M.T. (2014). Are probiotics more efficacious than placebo at preventing radiotherapy-induced diarrhoea in adults with cancer. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 13, 226–235.
DATABASES USED: MEDLINE, EMBASE
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
The Chitapanarux and Delia studies were most robust and the Giralt study was least robust. The Germain study could not be determined. There were no adverse events reported in the studies. The Chitapanarux and Delia studies determined that probiotics were beneficial and produced statistically significant results in the study population. The Germain study reported benefits that were statistically significant at standard dose and at high dose, which was not statistically significant. Studies revealed high clinical significance.
Evidence supporting contention that probiotics are beneficial is low quality.
More research is needed on the use of probiotics with rigorous randomized placebo controlled studies.