Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Systematic review
Participants
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed in CF pediatric or adult populations
Interventions
Probiotics supplementation
Outcome measures
Efficacy and safety; pulmonary exacerbation and intestinal calprotectin
Main results
Five studies included in this review represent 188 participants with a follow up period ranging from 1 month to 6 months. The results of the included studies supporting the use of probiotics in management of pulmonary exacerbation and intestinal calprotectin in patients with cystic fibrosis. However the level of evidence was limited.
Authors' conclusions
The lack of high quality RCTs makes it impossible to support a general recommendation about the use of probiotics in the treatment of CF pulmonary exacerbation and intestinal inflammation.