Table 2.
The effect of probiotic treatment on the number, duration, severity and combined load of gastrointestinal symptoms
| Effect of probiotic treatment relative to placebo (mean; 99% CI) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probiotic group (mean ± SD) |
Placebo group (mean ± SD) |
Ratio | Difference | Qualitative inference |
|
| Males | |||||
| Number of episodes | 1.01 ± 1.70 | 0.49 ± 0.90 | 2.06; 0.51 to 11 |
Likely ↑ | |
| Duration (d) | 3.3 ± 5.8 | 1.3 ± 7.7 | 2.57: 0.53 to 17 |
Likely ↑ | |
| Severity (1-3 scale) | 1.31 ± 0.33 | 1.78 ± 0.73 | -0.47; -1.21 to 0.28 |
Possible ↓ | |
| Symptom Load (severity-days) |
4.4 ± 8.1 | 2.5 ± 5.8 | 1.76; 0.34 to 15 |
Possible ↑ | |
| Females | |||||
| Number of episodes | 1.44 ± 1.71 | 0.48 ± 0.71 | 3.02; 0.76 to 17 |
Likely ↑ | |
| Duration (d) | 3.9 ± 5.4 | 2.1 ± 4.3 | 1.85; 0.35 to 27 |
Possible ↑ | |
| Severity (1-3 scale) | 1.44 ± 0.68 | 1.75 ± 0.88 | -0.31; -1.39 to 0.79 |
Possible ↓ | |
| Symptom Load (severity-days) |
5.2 ± 7.08 | 2.9 ± 5.1 | 1.81; 0.37 to 24 |
Possible ↑ | |
SD, standard deviation; CI, confidence interval.
Smallest clinically important values for assessing effects qualitatively: ratios, ×/÷1.20; differences, ± 0.5