(P20-043-23) Probiotics as a Viable Therapeutic Option: The Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products Available in Canada and the US, Translating Scientific Evidence to Clinical Practice

Objectives: Describe the clinical reference tool independently designed and developed to translate scientific evidence available up to date for commercially available probiotic products into practical, clinically relevant information, enabling clinicians to easily select the appropriate product, dose, and format for a specific indication.

Methods: This guide is a clinical decision-making tool assisting healthcare professionals in providing evidence-based recommendations for their patients. Published studies with defined clinical outcomes for probiotic strain(s) were searched using defined inclusion criteria. Commercially available products containing said strain(s) were identified, and the Levels of Recommendation were used to rate the strength of the evidence. This information was compiled into a chart form and assessed by independent expert reviewers. In the case of probiotics, the clinical evidence supports only specific formulations/brand names of the probiotics. The authors made every attempt to include the published clinical data for the available probiotic formulations.

Results: Based on our pre-defined criteria, the clinical guide organized the available strains based on probiotic strain(s), doses and evidence-evaluated levels. This document is easily accessible in print and digital formats. Due to frequent changes in product offerings, strains present in the product, and the growing number of published research, this clinical tool has been reviewed annually since 2008. 

Conclusions: Evidence supports the use of probiotic products for various aspects of human health. However, applications and results are strain-specific and disease or symptom-specific. Due to frequent changes in the commercial availability of probiotic strains, newly published evidence, and growing research, an annual review and updates of this Clinical Guide have been conducted since 2008. The lack of adverse effects supports the widespread use of these products, and further investigation is recommended.

Funding Sources: Supported by unrestricted grant provided by  the Alliance for Education on Probiotics - AEProbio