A recent study has revealed that patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) may benefit from probiotic supplementation, with partial improvements in malnutrition and health-related quality of life.
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Experts randomly selected 116 patients undergoing PD
to receive either a probiotic intervention, given daily at a dose of 1 x 109
CFU, or a no-intervention control. The trial duration lasted for 2 months.
Results included biochemical indicators, physical measurements, and Short Form
36 (SF-36) scores.
Following 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. On the
other hand, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein, and fat mass did not
differ between the two groups.
Furthermore, experts also observed improvements over
time in terms of upper arm circumference, albumin levels, and triceps skinfold
thickness, though between-group comparisons failed to attain statistical significance.
Meanwhile, the HRQoL or Health-related Quality of
Life, experts showed that physical functioning was better in the probiotic
group than controls after 2 months, as was social functioning. Changes in other
domains such as vitality, body pain, mental health, among others were not
different between the two groups.
Experts said that 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. However, larger studies are needed to
determine whether probiotics lead to significant improvements in clinical
outcomes in patients undergoing PD.
Source: J Ren Nutr 2021;31:199-205