Table 1.
Characteristics of included studies
| Trial reference | Participants evaluated | Medication | Probiotic dose | Treatment duration | Follow-up period | Outcomes analyzed |
| Bu et al[31] 2017 | 68 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 16 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Chen[32] 2007 | 47 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | 26 wk | 1, 4, 5, 6 |
| Chen[33] 2014 | 100 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 6 wk | NR | 1, 4 |
| Chen et al[34] 2017 | 68 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 1, 6, 7 |
| Duan et al[35] 2015 | 64 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
| Gu[36] 2012 | 62 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Guo and Sun[37] 2009 | 92 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| He et al[38] 2016 | 52 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Jiang[39] 2013 | 110 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 16 wk | 52 wk | 1, 5, 6 |
| Jin et al[40] 2014 | 226 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Li[41] 2011 | 62 | Mesalazine | 60 mg/d | 12 wk | NR | 1 |
| Li[42] 2013 | 124 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Li[43] 2014 | 147 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1 |
| Li et al[44] 2006 | 50 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | 26 wk | 1, 5 |
| Li et al[45] 2016 | 100 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 1, 4, 6 |
| Liang et al[46] 2016 | 92 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 16 wk | NR | 1 |
| Liu[47] 2014 | 62 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1, 2, 3 |
| Liu and Yao[48] 2012 | 139 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | unknown | unknown | 1, 5 |
| Liu et al[49] 2009 | 43 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Liu and Li[50] 2014 | 101 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 6 wk | NR | 1, 2, 4 |
| Luo[51] 2016 | 56 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 1, 4, 6 |
| Lu and Lei[52] 2011 | 132 | Olsalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Miao[53] 2014 | 72 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | 26 wk | 1, 5, 6 |
| Meng[54] 2012 | 90 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 1, 2 |
| Qin[55] 2015 | 56 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 4 |
| Qin et al[56] 2010 | 20 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 3, 7 |
| Qin et al[57] 2010 | 64 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | 26 wk | 5, 6 |
| Shen[58] 2014 | 96 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 6 wk | NR | 1, 4, 6 |
| Su[59] 2015 | 120 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Tan et al[60] 2008 | 20 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
| Tan et al[61] 2014 | 20 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 2, 3, 6, 7 |
| Tang[62] 2008 | 104 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1 |
| Wang[63] 2013 | 84 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 16 wk | 52 wk | 1, 5 |
| Wang and Liu[64] 2007 | 36 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Wang and Li[65] 2014 | 100 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 1, 2 |
| Wang et al[66] 2016 | 65 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 26 wk | NR | 5, 6 |
| Xiang and Feng[67] 2006 | 46 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1, 4, 6 |
| Xiao[68] 2014 | 63 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | 8 wk | 5, 6 |
| Xu[69] 2014 | 60 | Balsalazide | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 4, 6 |
| Xu and Cui[70] 2009 | 56 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1 |
| Yang[71] 2014 | 80 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | Unknown | NR | 1 |
| Yang et al[72] 2008 | 52 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1 |
| Yuan et al[73] 2008 | 40 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | 26 wk | 1, 4, 6 |
| Zeng[74] 2008 | 49 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 5 |
| Zhang[75] 2013 | 78 | SASP | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1, 4, 6 |
| Zhang[76] 2013 | 68 | Olsalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Zhang et al[77] 2010 | 54 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1 |
| Zhang et al[78] 2016 | 70 | Mesalazine | 60 mg/d | 12 wk | NR | 1 |
| Zhang et al[79] 2016 | 60 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 12 wk | NR | 1 |
| Zhao and Zhang[80] 2016 | 62 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 24 wk | NR | 1 |
| Zheng et al[81] 2016 | 118 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 4 wk | NR | 1, 6 |
| Zhu et al[82] 2013 | 44 | Olsalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 96 wk | NR | 2, 3 |
| Zhuo et al[83] 2016 | 40 | Mesalazine | 3.0 × 109 cfu/d | 8 wk | NR | 1, 3, 6 |
Outcomes analyzed: (1) Clinical Efficacy; (2) Histological Assessment; (3) Endoscopy Assessment; (4) Clinical Symptoms; (5) Maintenance of Remission; (6) Adverse Events; (7) Sutherland Index. NR: Not reported.