Table 1 Characteristics of Included Studies
Study/Year | Participants | Intervention | Outcomes | Notes | Jadad Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peng 2005[7] | 1) 90 subjects (probiotics = 60, placebo = 30) in 3 groups 2) Age (yrs) 16.07 ± 2.11 (live), 14.50 ± 1.78 (heat-killed), 16.60 ± 2.02 (placebo) 3) Allergic rhinitis symptoms for > 1 year and sensitization to house dust mites | 1) Lactobacillus paracasei (5 × 109 cfu/capsule) 2) 2 capsules/d of live, heat killed, and placebo capsules in 3 groups 3) Total duration = 30 days | Primary: change in symptom scores on the modified PRQLQ from baseline following treatment | No drop-out from study | 3 |
Wang 2004[8] | 1) 80 children (probiotics = 60, placebo = 20) 2) Age (yrs) 15.87 ± 1.53 (intervention) and 14.00 ± 1.90 (placebo) 3) Allergic rhinitis symptoms for > 1 year and sensitization to house dust mites | 1) Lactobacillus paracasei-33 (2 × 109 cfu/200 ml) 2) 200-400 mL/d 3) Total duration = 30 days | Primary: the change in symptom scores of the modified PRQLQ | No drop-out from study | 3 |
Giovannini 2007[9] | 1) 187 children (probiotics = 92, placebo = 95) 2) Age 2-5 years 3) Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and Allergic Rhinitis and its guidelines used | 1) Lactobacillus bulgaricus, 107cfu/ml, Streptococcus thermophilus, 108 cfu/ml and L. casei 108 cfu/ml 2) 100 mL/d 3) Total duration = 12 months | Number of days free from episodes of asthma and/or rhinitis, and cumulative number and duration of episodes, change in immunologic profile | Participants were using standard asthma and allergic medication, 29 patients LFU | 5 |
Tamura 2007[10] | 1) 120 subjects (probiotics = 60, placebo = 60) 2) Age range (yr); intervention (39.3 ± 8.0) and placebo (39.5 ± 10.9) 3) Having specific IgE for JCP and symptomatology defined by the Japanese society of Allergology | 1) Lactobacillus casei shirota (4 × 1010 cfu/80 mL) 2) 80 mL/d 3) Total duration = 8 weeks | Change in SMS, immunological profile and any side-effect noted | Standard allergy medications used by subjects, 11 patients LFU | 4 |
Xiao 2006a[11] | 1) 40 adult subjects (probiotics = 20, placebo = 20) 2) Age range; 23-61 years (intervention) and 24-55 years (placebo) 3) More than 2-year clinical history of JCPsis and presence of anti-JCP-IgE | 1) Bifidobacterium longum536 (BB536); 3.5 ± 2.4 × 108 cfu/100 g 2) 200 g/d 3) Total duration = 14 weeks | Effect on subjective symptoms score, any effect on blood parameters | Standard care for allergic symptoms | 4 |
Xiao 2006b[12] | 1) 44 adult subjects (probiotics = 22, (probiotics = 22, placebo = 22) 2) Age range; 22 to 48 years (placebo) and 26 to 57 years (intervention) 3) 2-year clinical history of JCPsis and the presence of anti-JCP-IgE | 1) BB536 powder 5 × 1010 cfu/2 g 2) Twice daily 3) Total duration = 13 weeks | Effect on subjective symptom scores and blood parameters | Standard care for allergic symptoms. 11 patients LFU | 4 |
Ishida 2005[13] | 1) 49 adult subjects (probiotics = 25, plaebo = 24) 2) Age range was 34.0 ± 3.4 years (intervention) and 36.9 ± 3.0 yrs (placebo) 3) Allergic rhinitis (defined by the Japanese Society of Allergology) and high IgE antibody against house dust or house dust mite | 1) Lactobacillus Acidophilus L-92 (3 × 1010 cfu/100 mL) 2) 100 mL/d 3) Total duration = 8 weeks | Change in SMS (both nasal and ocular) value. Any change in nasal cavity findings and blood parameters | Standard allergy medications used, 3 patients LFU | 3 |