Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and PTA 6475 as adjunct in Helicobacter pylori therapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Table 2 Gastrointestinal side effects associated with Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: Comparison between groups treated with and without Limosilactobacillus reuteri supplementation

Adverse event	RR (95%CI)	I2 (%)	P value for heterogeneity	Comment
Vomiting	0.94 (0.60-1.47)	0.0	0.652	No difference between groups
Epigastric pain	0.51 (0.22-1.19)	32.4	0.228	Trend in favor of L. reuteri
Constipation	0.69 (0.32-1.52)	0.0	0.639	No difference between groups
Abdominal pain	0.73 (0.41-1.33)	27.3	0.220	Consistent but non-significant benefit
Asthenia	0.58 (0.18-1.85)	33.1	0.225	Weak trend in favor of L. reuteri
Vertigo	1.00 (0.26-3.78)	0.0	1.000	No difference between groups
Appetite loss	0.50 (0.05-5.31)			Assessed in a single study
Dysgeusia	0.44 (0.24-0.80)	14.4	0.320	56% RR reduction; consistent across 7 comparisons from 6 RCTs
Nausea	0.44 (0.32-0.60)	0.0	0.679	56% RR; high consistency across 4 comparisons from 3 RCTs
Diarrhea	0.34 (0.21-0.55)	0.0	0.752	66% RR reduction; consistent across 5 RCTs
Bloating	0.47 (0.18-1.23)	67.8	0.008	Trend in favor of L. reuteri

Reported are risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals and heterogeneity statistics (I² and P values for heterogeneity). RR: Risk ratio; CI: Confidence interval; RCT: Randomized controlled trial; L. reuteri: Limosilactobacillus reuteri.