Saccharomyces Boulardii: Can It Help With H. Pylori Treatment?

observational-study PMID: 35276991

Quick Summary: Research suggests taking a probiotic, including Saccharomyces boulardii, alongside standard treatment for H. pylori infections can reduce side effects like stomach upset and may even help the treatment work better.

What The Research Found

This study looked at whether adding a probiotic to the usual antibiotics used to treat H. pylori infections could help. The results showed that people taking the probiotic experienced fewer side effects, like nausea and diarrhea. Plus, the H. pylori treatment was more successful in those taking the probiotic.

Study Details

Who was studied: 664 people with H. pylori infections.

How long: The study lasted for the duration of the 10-day treatment.

What they took:

All participants received a standard 10-day treatment for H. pylori (omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and metronidazole).
Half the participants also took a probiotic containing four strains, including Saccharomyces boulardii.

What This Means For You

If you're being treated for an H. pylori infection, talking to your doctor about adding a probiotic like one containing Saccharomyces boulardii might be a good idea. It could help you feel better during treatment and potentially increase the chances of the antibiotics working. Remember to discuss this with your doctor before starting any new supplements.

Study Limitations

The study used a mix of probiotics, so we don't know for sure if Saccharomyces boulardii alone would have the same effect.

The study only looked at the short-term effects of the treatment.

The side effects were based on what people reported, which can be subjective.

The study did not specify the exact timing of the probiotic administration.

The study did not provide information on the age or gender of the participants.

Key Findings

The study found that adding a four-strain probiotic (including Saccharomyces boulardii) to a standard 10-day quadruple H. pylori eradication regimen significantly reduced side effects (17.0% vs. 50.7% in placebo) and improved eradication rates (92.0% vs. 86.8% in placebo). Both outcomes were statistically significant (p < 0.00001 and p = 0.028, respectively).

Study Design

This was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted across eight centers. A total of 664 patients (329 in the probiotic group, 335 in placebo) received a 10-day quadruple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole). The probiotic group also received a daily combination of four strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Saccharomyces boulardii.

Dosage & Administration

The probiotic supplement contained 200 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii per dose (along with 200 mg each of the three bacterial strains). It was administered orally twice daily alongside the quadruple therapy. The exact timing (e.g., with meals) was not specified in the provided summary.

Results & Efficacy

Side Effects: 56 patients (17.0%) in the probiotic group reported new or worsened symptoms vs. 170 (50.7%) in the placebo group (p < 0.00001), indicating a 33.7% absolute risk reduction.
Eradication Rates: H. pylori was eradicated in 303/329 (92.0%) of probiotic recipients vs. 291/335 (86.8%) in placebo (p = 0.028), a 5.2% relative improvement.
The probiotic combination demonstrated both high efficacy and tolerability, though the individual contribution of S. boulardii was not isolated in the analysis.

Limitations

Probiotic Combination: Effects were observed with a multi-strain formula; the specific role of S. boulardii alone cannot be determined.
Observational Design: The provided study type conflicts with its randomized trial methodology, potentially limiting causal inference clarity.
Self-Reported Symptoms: Side effects were not objectively measured, risking bias.
Short Follow-Up: Long-term eradication or probiotic safety was not assessed.
Population Specificity: Results may not generalize to regions with different H. pylori resistance patterns or demographics (no age/gender data provided).

Clinical Relevance

For patients undergoing H. pylori eradication therapy, co-administering this four-probiotic regimen may reduce treatment-related discomfort (e.g., diarrhea, nausea) and slightly improve eradication success. However, since S. boulardii was part of a multi-strain mix, its standalone efficacy remains unclear. These findings support probiotic use as an adjunct to antibiotic therapy, but further research is needed to determine optimal strain combinations, dosing, and long-term safety. Users should consult healthcare providers before combining supplements with antibiotics.

Note: The study’s reported design (randomized controlled trial) conflicts with the user-provided type (observational study), which may reflect a classification error. Analysis prioritizes methodology details from the study summary.