Role of Probiotics in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Himali J Prajapati40413, Manish P Patel40414*, Mansi N Athalye40415 and Praful D Bharadia40416

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a common condition resulting in inflammation of the colon. Current treatments for this condition result in side effects in a significant proportion of patients and consequently alternative treatments are being sought. Probiotics are live microorganisms which have been used to treat other inflammatory conditions such as gastroenteritis and pouchitis.

In this study, the evidence for the use of probiotics for the treatment of ulcerative colitis has been investigated. The current research suggests that conventional treatment combined with probiotic therapy does not provide any additional benefit over conventional treatment alone in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. There is limited evidence that probiotics may reduce disease activity. However there is not enough evidence to recommend the use of probiotics for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Larger, well designed randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether probiotics are of benefit for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.