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The Effect of Lactobacillus Acidophilus (La5) on the Incidence of Urinary Tract Infection in the Puerperium: A
Fatemeh Borhani1, Fatemeh Abbasalizadeh2, Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi3
1Department of Midwifery, Students' Research Committee, Nursing and Midwifery Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Insights
This study found that Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics significantly reduced urinary tract infections (UTIs) in postpartum women. Probiotics also improved overall quality of life and mental health in the study participants.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common concern for women during the postpartum period.
- Limited research exists on the efficacy of probiotics in preventing postpartum UTIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on the incidence of postpartum UTIs.
- To assess the impact of probiotics on quality of life, breastfeeding, infant growth, and adverse effects.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial involving 234 postpartum women.
- Intervention group received Lactobacillus acidophilus (2×10^9 CFU daily for 8 weeks); control group received a placebo.
- UTI incidence assessed via urine culture at 2-month follow-up; quality of life, breastfeeding, and infant growth were also measured.
Main Results:
- The probiotic group showed a significantly lower incidence of UTIs compared to the placebo group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.41; p=0.033).
- Statistically significant improvements were observed in overall quality of life (p=0.003) and mental health (p=0.004) in the probiotic group.
- No significant differences were found in breastfeeding performance (p=0.335) or infant growth (p=0.493).
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation effectively reduces the incidence of postpartum UTIs.
- Probiotic use during the postpartum period may enhance women's quality of life, particularly mental health.
- Further research is recommended to confirm these findings and explore optimal probiotic strains and dosages.
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the probiotic on the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) during the postpartum period (primary outcome) and quality of life, breastfeeding performance, infant growth, and adverse effects (secondary outcomes). This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in Tabriz-Iran. A total of 234 eligible women were randomly assigned to either the probiotic group or the placebo group using block randomization. The intervention group received a 500-mg capsule containing 2 × 109 CFU of Lactobacillus acidophilus once daily for 8 weeks, while the control group received a 500-mg capsule containing regular corn starch with the same dosing schedule. A urine culture test was performed 8 weeks after the start of the intervention to assess the incidence of UTI. Quality of life was evaluated before and after the intervention. Other outcomes, including breastfeeding performance and infant growth, were assessed at the end of the intervention. The incidence of UTIs in the probiotic group was significantly lower than in the placebo group at the 2-month follow-up after the intervention (adjusted odds ratio, 0.41; 95%confidence interval, 0.17 to 0.93; p = 0.033). A statistically significant difference between groups was noted in the overall quality of life score (p = 0.003) and the mental health domain (p = 0.004). There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding the mean breastfeeding performance score (p = 0.335) and infant growth (p = 0.493). Our results supported the hypothesis that probiotics can effectively reduce the incidence of UTIs. Further studies are recommended to reach definitive conclusions.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20120718010324N81. Date of registration: 1 March 2024; URL: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/user/trial/73821/view ; Date of first registration: 1 March 2024.
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