A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of probiotics for bacterial vaginosis

H.-F. Liu, N. Yi

Department of Gynecology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. yinuo_76@126.com

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• Gynecology

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed at assessing the overall efficacy of probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) through the review of relevant studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted based largely on the following electronic databases updated to May 2021: Embase, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed, with the use of keywords. The investigators also thoroughly reviewed key pertinent sources in the literature for further inclusion.

RESULTS: Eighteen studies including 1651 patients were selected in the present meta-analysis. In comparison with antibiotics, antibiotics plus probiotics significantly decreased the recurrence rate of BV (at 1-3 months and overall analysis) and increased the cure/remission rate of BV (at 1-3 months and overall analysis). Compared with placebo, probiotics decreased the recurrence rate of BV (at 1-3 months and overall analysis) and increased the cure/remission rate of BV (at 1-3 months). Compared with antibiotics, probiotics significantly decreased the recurrence rate of BV (at <1 month, 1-3 months and overall analysis) as well as the incidence of adverse events (AEs) (at less than 1 month) and increased the cure/remission rate of BV (at 1-3 months).

CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with short-term probiotics treatment (<1 month), long-term probiotics treatment (1-3 months) yields superior beneficial outcomes and efficacy in the treatment of BV.

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