Probiotics and Hospital Outcome in the Elderly
Probiotics and Hospital Outcome in the Elderly
Probiotics have been shown to reduce the rate of diarrhea and constipation. The purpose of
 this study was to investigate if probiotics could improve outcome of hospitalized orthopedic
 elderly patients.
The patients were divided into two groups. One received probiotics for 45 days and the second
 received placebo. The patients had a clinical and epidemiological as well as nutritional
 assessment. They were followed-up as for their bowel movements, abdominal pain and nosocomial
 infections and for the incidence of helicobacter pylori and clostridiume difficille diarrhea.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Geriatric Orthopedic
 Rehabilitation a week before their enrollment in the study and signed an informed
 consent.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Known or suspected allergy to any probiotics

 -  Neutropenia

 -  Inability to sign an informed consent