Saccharomyces boulardii in maintenance treatment of Crohn's disease

Dig Dis Sci. 2000 Jul;45(7):1462-4. doi: 10.1023/a:1005588911207.

Abstract

The possible role of Saccharomyces boulardii, a nonpathogenic yeast with beneficial effects on the human intestine, in the maintenance treatment of Crohn's disease has been evaluated. Thirty-two patients with Crohn's disease in clinical remission (CDAI < 150) were randomly treated for six months with either mesalamine 1 g three times a day or mesalamine 1 g two times a day plus a preparation of Saccharomyces boulardii 1 g daily. Clinical relapses as assessed by CDAI values were observed in 37.5% of patients receiving mesalamine alone and in 6.25% of patients in the group treated with mesalamine plus the probiotic agent. Our results suggest that Saccharomyces boulardii may represent a useful tool in the maintenance treatment of Crohn's disease. However, in view of the product's cost, further controlled studies are needed to confirm these preliminary data.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Crohn Disease / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesalamine / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Recurrence
  • Saccharomyces*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Mesalamine