Table 1. Participant Characteristics at Baseline of Care Home Residents.
| Characteristic | Probiotic (n = 155)a | Placebo (n = 155)a |
|---|---|---|
| Age, mean (SD), y | 85.1 (7.6) | 85.6 (7.21) |
| Men | 52 (33.5) | 51 (32.9) |
| Women | 103 (66.5) | 104 (67.1) |
| Consent provided by proxyb | 98 (63.2) | 106 (68.4) |
| Consent self-providedb | 57 (36.8) | 49 (31.6) |
| Years of residency in care home, median (IQR)c | 1 (0-2) | 1 (0-3) |
| Height, mean (SD), cmd | 162 (7.8) | 165 (8.8) |
| Weight, median (IQR), kg | 60 (52.1-70.6) | 63 (55.6-72.9) |
| Ulna lengthe, mean (SD), cm | 25 (2.5) | 26 (2.5) |
| Mid–upper arm circumference, mean (SD), cmf | 27 (4.5) | 27 (4.1) |
| Clinical frailty scaleg | ||
| Very fit to managing well | 13 (8.4) | 18 (11.6) |
| Vulnerable to moderately frail | 64 (41.3) | 51 (32.9) |
| Severely frail to terminally ill | 78 (50.3) | 86 (55.5) |
| Prescribed antimicrobials in the last 4 weeks | 45 (29.0) | 37 (23.9) |
| Used a proton pump inhibitor in the last 4 weeks | 61 (39.4) | 52 (33.5) |
| Used a laxative in the last 4 weeks | 75 (48.4) | 85 (54.8) |
| Used vitamin D in the last 4 weeks | 50 (32.3) | 44 (28.4) |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus growth on plate, No./total No. (%)h | 28/83 (33.7) | 19/75 (25.3) |
| Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis growth on plate, No./total No. (%)h | 3/83 (3.6) | 4/75 (5.3) |
| Growth of Clostridioides difficile, No./total No. (%)h | 6/83 (7.2) | 0/75 |
Values are reported as No. (%) unless otherwise specified. Some characteristic categories, as indicated by footnote, did not count all group participants.
If participants lacked capacity to consent, a consultee (legal representative or guardian) advised about their participation in accordance with the governing legislation.
Categorical count included 153 in the probiotic group and 154 in the placebo group.
Categorical count included 70 in the probiotic group and 74 in the placebo group.
Indicates length between the point of the elbow and the midpoint of the prominent bone of the wrist. Categorical count included 152 in the probiotic group and 150 in the placebo group.
Indicates the distance between the bony protrusion on the shoulder and the point of the elbow, marking the midpoint and measuring around the arm at this point. Categorical count included 151 in the probiotic group and 150 in the placebo group.
Scale assesses the level of fitness or frailty in an older adult (score ranges and interpretations: 1-3, very fit to managing well; 4-6, vulnerable to moderately frail; and 7-8, severely frail to terminally ill).
Assessed from participant stool samples.