ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF PROBIOTICS IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This literature review article addresses the use of probiotics in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), with the aim of synthesizing the evidence available in the scientific literature. The review sought to understand the impact of probiotics on the management and treatment of conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The methodology adopted involved the systematic search for articles published in scientific databases, considering randomized clinical studies and systematic reviews. The analyzes focused on the effectiveness of probiotics in alleviating symptoms, modulating the immune response, and improving the quality of life of IBD patients. The results of this review indicate that, although there is promising evidence about the therapeutic potential of probiotics in IBD, the heterogeneity of studies and the lack of standardization in the selection of strains and doses still limit the definitive conclusion about their effectiveness. Additionally, more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and identify subgroups of patients who may benefit most from these supplements. In its final considerations, the article highlights the importance of personalized approaches and more well-designed clinical research to consolidate the role of probiotics as adjuvants in the management of IBD. Therefore, it is important to highlight that the study provides a critical view of the current state of knowledge, highlighting areas for future investigations that can improve the clinical implementation of probiotics in this specific context.