Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Do Probiotics Decrease Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Low Mood?, Kaitlyn Talt

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine, “Do probiotics decrease depressive symptoms in patients with low mood?”

Study Design: A systematic review of three double blind, randomized control trials (RCTs) published between 2016 and 2019.

Data Sources: All three RCTs were found using PubMed and published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The articles were chosen based on their attention to patient-oriented evidence that matters (POEMS) and their relevance to the clinical question.

Outcome Measured: All three articles utilized either the Beck Depression Index (BDI) and/or the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) to measure the severity of …

Are Probiotics Effective In Improving Quality Of Life In Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?, Lauren O. Bruce

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence-based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not probiotics are effective in improving quality of life in adults with irritable bowel syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) written in the English language, published between the years 2016 and 2018.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials were published in peer-reviewed journals and found using PubMed and GoogleScholar databases.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: All three of the included studies measured the quality of life in adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) utilizing the self-reported IBS-QOL questionnaire.

RESULTS: Each of …

Does The Use Of Probiotics Reduce The Incidence Of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (Urtis) In Adult Athletes?, Abigail M. Zora

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotics reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in adult athletes.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three placebo-controlled randomized trials. The articles were published in peer reviewed journals between 2008 and 2018 in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Three placebo-controlled, single- or double-blinded, randomized trials comparing the efficacy of placebo vs. probiotics in reducing URTI episodes in athletes over the age of 18 years old. The articles were found using PubMed and Cochrane via key words.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The outcome measured compared placebo …

Are Probiotics Effective In Reducing Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis?, Samuel H. Kim

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotics are effective in reducing symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

STUDY DESIGN: Selective EBM review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials published after 2009, all English language.

DATA SOURCES: All three studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found on PubMed and selected based on relevance to the proposed clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcome measured was the percentage change in SCORAD index to determine severity of atopic dermatitis before and after trial through objective and subjective findings. Additional outcomes included DLQ index which was evaluated via …

Are The Use Of Probiotics An Effective Treatment For Relieving Symptoms Of Depression In Adults?, Olynda B. Mileon-Etuk

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM is to determine whether or not, “Are the use of antibiotics an effective treatment for relieving symptoms of depression in adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language primary studies, published between 2010- 2016.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found using PubMed- NCBI. These studies analyzed the effectiveness of probiotics in adults with symptoms of depression.

OUTCOME MEASURED: The main outcome measured was improvement of symptoms of depression after the administration of probiotic supplements. Outcomes were assessed using data from self-reported questionnaires, which include the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-90), Hospital …

Does The Use Of Prophylactic Probiotics Prevent Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea In Adults Using One Or More Antibiotics?, David E. Castillo

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine if the use of probiotics can prevent the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in adults using one or more antibiotics.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials in the English language published between 2013 and 2014.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources obtained for this review were articles published in peerreviewed journals found using PubMed and Cochrane databases.

OUTCOME MEASURED: All three studies defined diarrhea as the passage of three or more loose stools in a 24-hour period. All the studies used the Bristol …

Do Oral Probiotics In Conjunction With Fluconazole Reduce Symptoms Among Patients Suffering From Vulvovaginal Candidiasis?, Kayla Mcdaid

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Do oral probiotics in conjunction with fluconazole reduce symptoms among patients suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)?”

Study design: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published in 2009 and 2012.

Data sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals comparing the effects of fluconazole in conjunction with probiotics in the treatment of VVC. Data sources found using Embase, EMBScohost, and CINAHL

Outcomes measured: Outcomes were measured based on patients reporting of: decrease in dysuria symptoms at 5-7 days post treatment, resolution of abnormal odorless cheese …

Do Probiotics Provide Adequate Relief From Overall Symptoms, Including Abdominal Pain And Bloating, In Adults With Irritable Bowel Syndrome?, Brittany A. Ormsby

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotics provide adequate relief from overall symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including abdominal pain and bloating in adults with irritable bowel syndrome.

Study Design: Review of three published randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trials were used for this review. The articles were found on PubMed and EBSCOhost web, and were selected based on outcomes measured and relevance to the objective.

Outcomes Measured: The outcomes were measured by a 10-point visual analog scale for each symptom, or daily dairy entries addressing overall symptom relief, and a …

Are Probiotics Effective At Reducing The Symptoms Of Asthma In Children From Birth To Twelve-Years Old?, Rachel Sulat

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether or not probiotics are effective at reducing the symptoms of asthma in children ages birth to twelve-years old.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English-language, double-blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2010 and 2011.

DATA SOURCES: Three peer-reviewed RCTs were found using PubMed database. These studies compared probiotics to placebos in patients with episodes of wheezing.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Reduction in symptoms of asthma (particularly wheezing) measured with the use of diary cards and symptom scores.

RESULTS: Chen et al. demonstrated statistically significant improvement in daytime asthma symptoms in probiotic treated …

Is Probiotic Supplementation Effective In Reducing The Incidence Of Atopic Dermatitis In Children Age 3 And Under?, Kristen M. Mclaughlin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotic supplementation is effective in reducing the incidence of atopic dermatitis in children age 3 and younger.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three Engligh language primary studies one published in 2009 and the other two in 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Three double blind randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of probiotic supplementation for reducing the incidence of atopic dermatitis in children ages 3 and under were found using Cochrane Library EBM and PubMed databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, via a positive …