Timko, J. (2010). Probiotics as prevention of radiation-induced diarrhoea. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 9(4), 201–208.
To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the prevention of radiation-induced diarrhea
Patients who had undergone adjuvant, postoperative radiation to the abdominal or pelvic area, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, and were admitted to the hospital were randomized to one of two groups: “5” Strain Dophilus (L group) or Hylak Tropfen Forte drops (H group).
This study was conducted at a single-site, inpatient setting in Ruzomberok, Slovakia.
All patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
This was a randomized, parallel-group, nonplacebo controlled trial.
Patient diaries were used to record the number and consistency of stools, presence of bleeding or abdominal pain, and use of antidiarrheals or antibiotics.
Probiotics may be effective in the prevention of radiation-induced diarrhea.
The use of probiotics may have some benefit in the prevention of radiation-induced diarrhea; however, more studies (including control arms) are needed.