Effects of Probiotics as Maintenance Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics as maintenance treatment in ulcerative colitis.Methods: A total of 58 ulcerative colitis patients with remission were randomized to receive probiotics plus mesalazine(29 patients) and mesalazine(29 patients).Disease activity index and endoscopic and histological scores were calculated in both groups in 0,6,and 12 months and relapse was recorded.Results: No significant difference in relapse rate in 6(P=0.666) and 12 months(P=0.345) was noted between the 2 groups and the same result was found in disease activity index and endoscopic and histological scores in 0,6,and 12 months(P0.05).Conclusions: Mesalazin plus probiotics as maintenance treatment in ulcerative colitis has the same effect as mesalazine alone on maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis in the 1st year.It is unnecessary to use probiotics and mesalazine together as maintenance treatment in ulcerative colitis.