Probiotics good for patients on peritoneal dialysis

Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) may benefit from probiotic supplementation, with partial improvements in malnutrition and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), a recent study has found.

Researchers randomly assigned 116 patients undergoing PD to receive either a probiotic intervention (n=58), given daily at a dose of 1×10⁹ CFU, or a no-intervention control (n=58). The trial lasted for 2 months. Outcomes included biochemical indicators, physical measurements, and Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores.

After the treatment, levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were all significantly lower in the probiotic group as opposed to controls. In contrast, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein, and fat mass did not differ between groups.

Moreover, the researchers also observed improvements over time in terms of upper arm circumference, albumin levels, and triceps skinfold thickness, though between-group comparisons failed to achieve statistical significance.

In terms of HRQoL, the researchers found that physical functioning was better in the probiotic group than controls after 2 months (75.0±22.31 vs 64.48±23.34), as was social functioning (60.00±21.13 vs 53.08±15.65). Changes in other domains—vitality, body pain, mental health, and general health, among others—were not different between groups.

“The results of this study suggest that probiotic supplementation in patients undergoing PD is safe and well tolerated. The malnutrition of patients undergoing PD was improved after probiotic supplementation. Moreover, the scores of physical functioning and social functioning increased in the probiotic group,” the researchers said.

“Larger studies are needed to determine whether probiotics lead to significant improvements in clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PD,” they added.