Therapeutical efficacy of immunobiotics in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis.

The probiotic group achieved near-remission in disease activity by 12 months while the control group reverted to baseline disease activity.

• Probiotic group achieved DAS28 of 2.3 ± 0.4 by 12 months
• Control group reverted to baseline disease activity by 12 months
• The trial was randomized and placebo-controlled with 100 patients with newly diagnosed RA
• Patients were followed over 12 months

Probiotic use was identified as an independent predictor of remission or low disease activity.

• Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.703 for probiotic use as predictor of remission or low disease activity
• p < 0.001
• Both groups received conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cDMARDs)
• The experimental group additionally received probiotics containing Lactobacillus casei BLn2401, Lactobacillus salivarius BL2201, and Bifidobacterium breve BL3406

The probiotic group demonstrated faster and more sustained reductions in inflammatory markers compared to controls.

• Reductions were observed in C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Outcomes were assessed at baseline and follow-up over 12 months
• The control group received cDMARDs alone
• Reductions were described as both faster and more sustained in the probiotic group

The probiotic group showed faster and more sustained reductions in pain and disability scores compared to controls.

• Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS)
• Functional disability was measured using the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ)
• Reductions were observed in both VAS and HAQ scores in the probiotic group
• Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at follow-up over 12 months

Patient-reported quality of life improved significantly and corticosteroid dependence decreased in the probiotic group.

• Quality of life was measured using the RA quality of life (RAQoL) questionnaire
• Corticosteroid use was evaluated as an outcome measure
• Corticosteroid dependence decreased in the probiotic group
• Quality of life improvement was described as significant