Across 3 studies on Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R (studied as DSM 17938) and reduced diarrhea duration, 2 reported beneficial effects and 1 found no significant difference. Effect sizes were mixed: one meta-analysis reported a small reduction (mean difference -0.87 days), while another reported a large reduction (-32 hours). The predominant population studied was children with acute gastroenteritis.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. One of the meta-analyses showed a large effect, but the most recent RCT (2019) found no benefit, suggesting possible publication bias or diminishing effect over time. Doses and study durations were not consistently reported, limiting dose-response conclusions.
Compared with placebo or no treatment, L. reuteri reduced diarrhea duration (four RCTs, n = 347, mean difference, MD -0.87 days, 95% CI [-1.43, -0.31]).
The duration of diarrhea after randomization in both groups was similar (P = 0.6).
Compared with placebo or no treatment, DSM 17938 significantly reduced the duration of diarrhoea (mean difference -32 h, 95% confidence interval (CI): -41 to -24)