A Randomized, Double-blind Trial of Lactobacillus GG Versus Placebo in Addition to Standard Maintenance Therapy for Children with Crohnʼs Disease

• DOI: 10.1097/01.mib.0000175905.00212.2c
• Publication Date: 2005-08-22T08:07:21Z
• Authors: Athos Bousvaros; Stefano Guandalini; Robert N Baldassano; Christine Botelho; Jonathan Evans; George D Ferry; Barry Goldin; Lori Hartigan; Subra Kugathasan; Joseph Levy; Karen F Murray; Maria Oliva-Hemker; Joel R Rosh; Vasundhara Tolia; Anna Zholudev; Jon A Vanderhoof; Patricia L Hibberd
• Keywords: Lactobacillus rhamnosus; Maintenance therapy; Concomitant; Placebo-controlled study

Probiotics are widely used by patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in an attempt to improve their health, but few controlled studies have been done evaluate the efficacy of these therapies. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) see if addition LGG standard therapy prolonged remission children CD. Concomitant medications allowed study included aminosalicylates, 6-mercaptopurine, azathioprine, and low-dose alternate day corticosteroids. Seventy-five (age range, 5-21 yr) CD were randomized either (n=39) or placebo (n=36) followed for up 2 years. The median time relapse was 9.8 months group 11.0 (P=0.24); 31% (12/39) developed compared 6/36 (17%) (P=0.18). well tolerated, side effect profile comparable placebo. This suggests that does not prolong when given as adjunct therapy.