TABLE 2.

Subgroup analysis for the effects of probiotics on TNF-α.

Subgroup	No. of trials	No. of participants	I 2 (%)	Pooled SMD [95% CI]
Probiotics dose
≥1010 CFU/day	5	231	0	−0.65 [−0.92, −0.39]
<1010 CFU/day	5	226	0	−0.12 [−0.38, 0.14]
NR	1	41	0	−0.26 [−0.88, 0.36]
Probiotics strain
Single	6	237	0	−0.19 [−0.44, 0.07]
Multiple	5	261	16.6	−0.55 [−0.82, −0.27]
Duration of intervention
≤8 weeks	6	255	0	−0.47 [−0.72, −0.22]
>8 weeks	5	243	19.1	−0.27 [−0.56, 0.01]
Method of administration
Powder/capsule	6	260	0	−0.56 [−0.81, −0.31]
Food	5	238	0	−0.18 [−0.44, 0.07]

CFU, colony forming unit; SMD, standardized mean difference.