Suadoni, M.T. (2014). Are probiotics more efficacious than placebo at preventing radiotherapy-induced diarrhoea in adults with cancer. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice, 13, 226–235.
DOI Link
Purpose
Search Strategy
DATABASES USED: MEDLINE, EMBASE
Literature Evaluated
Sample Characteristics
- FINAL NUMBER STUDIES INCLUDED = 4
- TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW = 917
- KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Chitapanarux et al. study—63 female patients receiving RT and cisplatin chemotherapy for cervical cancer; Delia et al. study—490 patients receiving RT for colon, rectal, or cervical cancer; Germain et al. study—246 patients receiving RT for rectal, cervical, endometrial or prostate cancer; Giralt et al. study—118 patients receiving RT and cisplatin chemotherapy for cervical or endometrial cancer
Phase of Care and Clinical Applications
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Results
The Chitapanarux and Delia studies were most robust and the Giralt study was least robust. The Germain study could not be determined. There were no adverse events reported in the studies. The Chitapanarux and Delia studies determined that probiotics were beneficial and produced statistically significant results in the study population. The Germain study reported benefits that were statistically significant at standard dose and at high dose, which was not statistically significant. Studies revealed high clinical significance.
Conclusions
Evidence supporting contention that probiotics are beneficial is low quality.
Limitations
- Scope
- Objectivity
- No second reviewer
Nursing Implications
More research is needed on the use of probiotics with rigorous randomized placebo controlled studies.