S. boulardii shows promise in managing knee osteoarthritis in obese patients

Supplementation with probiotics was found to significantly reduce pain and inflammation in KOA patients, improving quality of life without severe side effects, according to a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition.

This study by Neda Dolatkhah et al. sought to assess the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) on patients suffering from KOA.

A total of 70 KOA participants were randomly allocated to receive either probiotics or a placebo for 12 weeks. The main outcome measured was the change in pain intensity using the WOMAC, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index pain score.

Sixty-three patients successfully finished the study. As found, the probiotic group experienced remarkable pain relief compared to the placebo group, as measured by the visual analogue scale and WOMAC pain score.

Regular use of acetaminophen for pain decreased alongside a decline in serum levels of the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein inflammatory index and serum malondialdehyde oxidative stress index among the participants in the Probiotic group. Additionally, the scores related to physical health, pain and limitations due to physical health also improved in patients in the probiotic group was also observed.