Table 1.
Basic information and clinical features of patients.
| Probiotic group (n = 40) | Control group (n = 48) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male (%) | 72.50% | 62.50% | .340 | |
| Mean age | 81 (55–90) | 82.5 (55–90) | .195 | |
| Before the treatment | Mean PSI score | 195.5 (134–273) | 208 (145–300) | .648 |
| CRP (mg/L) | 99.0 (13.8–150.0) | 70.79 (10.9–150) | .383 | |
| PCT (ng/mL) | 1.05 (0.1–21.6) | 1.05 (0.1–17) | .704 | |
| WBC(×10^9/L) | 10.32 (2.70–22.34) | 9.95 (2.70–21.93) | .578 | |
| IL-6 (pg/mL) | 97.4 (9.8–4000.0) | 117.7 (12–3815.7) | .700 | |
| Clostridium difficile toxin positive rate (%) | 2.5% | 6.2% | .623 | |
| After the treatment | Mean PSI score | 102.5 (0–273) | 178 (0–300) | .030* |
| CRP (mg/L) | 45.15 (7.8–150.0) | 50.80 (5–150.0) | .381 | |
| PCT (ng/mL) | 0.50 (0.1–13.1) | 0.60 (0.1–20.3) | .425 | |
| WBC(×10^9/L) | 7.61 (1.98–19.24) | 7.72 (1.98–57.22) | .485 | |
| IL-6 (pg/mL) | 47.45 (9.4–4000) | 60.7 (6.8–4000) | .51 | |
| Clostridium difficile toxin Positive rate (%) | 20% | 31.2% | .232 | |
| Days of fevera | 11 (2–19) | 10.5 (0–30) | .434 | |
| Peak of body temperature (°C) | 38.6 (37.8–39.7) | 38.25 (37.1–39.9) | .089 | |
| Length of stay | 20.5 (14–27) | 25 (10–41) | .045* | |
| Days of antibiotic use | 12 (8–31) | 13 (6–30) | .069 | |
| Incidence of constipation (%)b | 12.50% | 23% | .207 | |
| Incidence of diarrhea (%)c | 35% | 50% | .157 | |
| Incidence of sepsis (%) | 22.5% | 27.0% | .476 | |
| Invasive mechanical ventilation (%) | 45.0% | 43.7% | .906 | |
| Central vein (%) | 40.0% | 35.40% | .658 | |
| Mortality rate (%) | 20.0% | 29.2% | .459 | |
Categorical variables were presented as percentages, and the χ2 test was used to compare the differences between the 2 groups. Continuous variables were presented in the “median (Min - Max)” format.
P < .05.
CRP = C-reactive protein, IL-6 = interleukin-6, PCT = procalcitonin, PSI = Pneumonia Severity Index, WBC = White Blood Cells.
Fever was defined as axillary temperature ≥ 37.3°C.
Constipation was defined as defecation <3 times per week, difficult defecation, dry stool or the need for manual assistance.
Diarrhea was defined as the number of bowel movements ≥ 3 per day, thin stool, increased moisture, daily bowel movements exceeding 200g, or containing undigested food or pus, blood, and mucus.