Table 2.

Comparison of efficacies of VSL#3 and mesalamine at 8 weeks

Parameter	Group A (n=11)	Group B (n=13)	p Value	95% CI
Stool frequency (mean±SD; number of bowel movements/day)	2.36±1.02	2.8±1.2	0.31	−1.46 to 0.49
Stool weight (mean±SD; g)	377.6±104.5	507±168.2	0.03	−248.8 to −10.5
Stool consistency (mean±SD)*	3.45±0.82	3.30±0.48	0.60	−0.45 to 0.74
Diarrhoeal rate (mean±SD)†	0.81±0.40	1.15±0.55	0.10	−0.74 to 0.07
Abdominal pain (mean±SD)‡	0.5±1.0	0.46±0.66	0.81	0.73 to 0.92
Stool mucus (mean±SD)‡	1.2±0.7	1.9±0.75	0.03	−1.4 to −0.04
Well-being (mean±SD)§	2.4±0.5	2.9±0.75	0.06	−1.07 to 0.03

*Likert scale, 1: very hard; 2: hard; 3: formed; 4: loose; 5: watery.

†0: Normal stools, no diarrhoea; 1: up to 4 loose stools per day above normal, 2: 5–7 loose stools per day above normal, 3: >7 loose stools per day above normal.

‡Likert scale, 0: none; 1: mild; 2: moderate; 3: severe.

§Visual analogue scale, 1–5; lower score signifies better well-being.