[Probiotic supplement (Lactobacillus acidophilus and bulgaricus) utility in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome].

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common functional condition and a frequent cause of consultation in gastroenterology. With a multifactorial pathophysiology IBS is characterized by abdominal pain, distension and altered bowel habits. Loperamide, antispasmodics and antidepressants are symptomatic relievers of this disorder. Recently probiotics were incorporated to therapy, and could improve the symptomatology. METHODS: multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial that included IBS patients, diagnosed with Rome III criteria. The patients were given pinaverium bromure and placebo or pinaverium bromure and probiotics for 3 weeks. The intensity of symptoms and the effect of therapy were evaluated with the Francis Score, before and after the treatment. Statistics were done with SPSS 12.0 (C.I 95%). RESULTS: 51 patients were evaluated, with an average age of 43 years old, mostly mestizo, 75% (38) married and 55% (28) female. There were statistical differences in four variables: abdominal pain, intensity of pain, days of pain and total score at the end of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotics used as supplement are effective in improving symptomatology of IBS.