Clinical Guidance and Practical Recommendations for Probiotic Use in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Functional Constipation, and Clostridioides difficile Infection Considering Sex-Based Differences

Key Points

• To evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics in treating irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, and Clostridioides difficile infection, considering sex differences.
• Assessing patients with IBS, functional constipation, and C. difficile infection
• Evaluating the impact of probiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms
• Using a sex-based analysis to guide treatment recommendations.
• Probiotics improved symptoms in IBS patients with a 30% reduction in abdominal pain (p<0.05)
• Functional constipation showed a significant increase in bowel movement frequency (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.2, p=0.001)
• Sex differences were noted in probiotics' effectiveness, with women showing greater symptom relief.