Probiotics for managing patients after bowel preparation for colonoscopy: an interventional, double-arm, open, randomized, multi-center, and national study (COLONSTUDY)

BACKGROUND: Bowel preparation (BP) for colonoscopy induces significant changes in gut microbiota, causing dysbiosis that, in turn, elicits intestinal symptoms. Consequently, probiotics may counterbalance the disturbed microbiota after BP. So, probiotics may restore microbiota homeostasis. METHODS: , an oral nutraceutical containing a probiotic mixture with Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 millions living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01 (200 millions living cells), Patients were randomized in two groups (2:1). Group A took one stick/daily for four weeks after colonoscopy. Group B was considered as control. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after one (T1), two (T2), and four (T3) weeks. The severity of symptoms was measured by patients using a Visual Analog Scale. RESULTS: significantly diminished the presence and the severity of intestinal symptoms at T2 and even more at T3. All patients well tolerated the probiotic mixture. CONCLUSIONS: may be considered an effective and safe therapeutic option in managing patients undergoing BP. The course should last one month.