Efficacy of probiotics pretreatment in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical outcomes.

2025-07-23
Annals of medicine 57(1)
- Yinghui Zhang
- Mengtian Tu
- Ping Long
- Jing Zheng
- Guanghong Du
- Shiyu Xiao
- Caiping Gao

PubMed: 40697099
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2533431

Background

Probiotics inhibit Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) growth and alter gut microbiome, in addition to alleviating the side effects of H. pylori eradication. It has also been reported that H. pylori be eradicated after fecal microbiota transplantation in some cases. However, whether probiotics used before H. pylori eradication improves the eradication rate remains unclear. This study evaluates their role through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Conference Proceedings Citation Index up to January 31, 2024, to identify randomized controlled studies (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of probiotics used before H. pylori eradication. Meta-analyses of eradication rates were performed.

Results

Twelve eligible RCTs with 2,144 participants were included. The intention-to-treat analysis revealed that the overall eradication rate of H. pylori was higher in the probiotics pretreatment group compared to the control group (80.34% vs. 70.49%), with a risk ratio (RR) of 1.14 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.19; I² = 36%) and side effects were less (16.0% vs. 28.3%, RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.84). The per-protocol analysis yielded similar results (86.43% vs. 76.88%, RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.17; I² = 57%). Subgroup analyses, considering factors like geographic location, eradication regimens, and probiotic combinations, consistently confirmed the benefits. Finally, probiotics pretreatment durations of 14 days or more, as well as the study designs pre vs. free and pre and combine vs. free, demonstrated significant effects. Shorter durations and other study designs with fewer studies did not show significant effects.

Conclusion

There is moderate to high evidence to suggest that probiotics pretreatment improves H. pylori eradication rate and reduces side effects. These findings highlight the potential value of gut microbiome modulation in H. pylori treatment and offer a new direction for addressing the challenges of antibiotic resistance and treatment failure.

Research Insights

Supplement	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92	Absence of Treatment-Related Side Effects	Beneficial	Moderate
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92	Improved H Pylori Eradication Rates	Beneficial	Moderate
Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92	Increased Helicobacter pylori Eradication Rate	Beneficial	Moderate