Role of Probiotics in Reducing GERD

Abstract

Probiotic is little known for its benefits on upper gastrointestinal health. The objective of this systematicreview was to examine the efficacy of probiotics in alleviating the frequency and severity of symptoms ingastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the general adult population.. In total, 13 prospective studiesthat were published in 12 articles were included in the analysis and scored per the Jadad scale as high- (fivestudies), medium- (two), and low- (six) quality. One article reported on two probiotic groups; thus, 14comparisons were included in the selected studies, of which 11 (79%) reported positive benefits of probioticson symptoms of GERD. Five out of 11 positive outcomes (45%) noted benefits on reflux symptoms: threenoted reduced regurgitation; improvements in reflux or heartburn were seen in one study; five (45%) sawimprovements in dyspepsia symptoms; and nine (81%) saw improvements in other upper gastrointestinalsymptoms, such as nausea (three studies), abdominal pain (five), and gas-related symptoms (four), such asbelching, gurgling, and burping. In conclusion, probiotic use can be beneficial for GERD symptoms, suchas regurgitation and heartburn.