Journal of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology of Shandong University ›› 2021, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (3): 70-80.doi: 10.6040/j.issn.1673-3770.0.2020.374

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Therapeutic and anti-allergic effects of probiotics on allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis

LIN Xiaoyan, LI Jing, MA Zhiqi, LI Yilin, GAO Xinyi, LI Yong   

  1. Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China
  • Published:2021-05-14

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Abstract: Objective To systemically review the therapeutic and anti-allergic effects of probiotics on allergic rhinitis(AR). Methods Publications from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP databases were searched from inception to February 2020. Two reviewers extracted the data and performed literature evaluation. Revman 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results A total of 27 randomized controlled trials comprising 2 147 patients(1 106 patients in the probiotics group and 1 041 patients in the placebo group)were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that probiotics reduced serum total IgE ［SMD=-0.22, 95%CI(-0.42, -0.02), P=0.03<0.05］ and eosinophil level ［SMD=-0.38, 95%CI(-0.69, -0.08), P=0.01<0.05］. Rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire(RQLQ)nose symptoms ［MD=-0.78, 95%CI(-0.96, -0.61), P<0.001］, RQLQ eye symptoms ［MD=-0.78, 95%CI(-0.96, -0.61), P<0.000 01］, the total nasal symptom score ［MD=-1.54, 95%CI(-1.77, -1.31), P<0.001］, and medication scores ［SMD=-0.43, 95%CI(-0.64, -0.22), P<0.001］ were significantly lower in the placebo group. However, specific IgE ［SMD=0.08, 95%CI(-0.11, 0.26), P=0.42］ and Th1/Th2 ratio ［SMD=0.40,95%CI(-1.20, 1.99), P=0.63］ were not statistically different between the groups. Conclusion Probiotics effectively reduced symptom scores of patients with AR compared with placebo. Although short-term use of probiotics showed no significant preventive effects on AR, their long-term use reduced serum total IgE level and eosinophil count. Taken together, probiotics can be suggested as an effective treatment for AR.

Key words: Probiotics, Allergic rhinitis, Randomized controlled trials, Efficacy, IgE, Th1/Th2, Eosinophil, Meta-analysis

CLC Number: 

  • R765
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