Probiotics versus placebo as a prophylaxis to prevent clinical manifestations of oral candidosis in patient's with Sjogren's syndrome (Randomised Controlled Trial)

Abstract

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a complex autoimmune, chronic, and systemic disease. It affects mainly the exocrine glands, such as the lachrymal and salivary glands. The patient complains of dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes. Primary SS occurs in people with no other rheumatologic disease. Secondary SS occurs in people who have another rheumatologic disease, most often systemic lupus erythematous or rheumatoid arthritis Candidiasis is a fungal infection frequently observed in SS patients, with the most common forms being erythematous (atrophic) and angular cheilitis. It was found that > 80% of all SS subjects were positive for Candida albicans vs. none of the controls. Probiotics are live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. Their effect has been observed regarding pathogenic bacteria, but they are also effective against yeast of the genus Candida in the vagina and oral cavity. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of Probiotics versus Placebo as a prophylaxis to prevent the appearance of clinical manifestations in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and at the same time evaluate the short-term efficacy of probiotics in reducing the candidal load level in highly susceptible patients. The study was conducted on 32 patients, recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Rheumatology Department in the faculty of medicine, Cairo university. The recruited patients are either patients complaining of primary or secondary Sjogren's syndrome.