A systematic review including 14 studies with a total of 1 258 subjects was abstracted in DARE. Significant improvements were reported for probiotic groups compared to placebo in seven of 11 studies that assessed global symptoms, five of eight studies that assessed abdominal pain or distension and four of five studies that assessed flatulence. Results from four studies that assessed transit time or bowel habits were mixed.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by limitations in review quality and by inconsistency (heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes).