Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 for chronic diarrhea in young adults: a large double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Current treatments for chronic diarrhea have limited efficacy and several side effects. Probiotics have the potential to alleviate symptoms of diarrhea. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluates the effects of administering the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 (P9) strain in young adults with chronic diarrhea (Clinical Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2000038410). The intervention period lasts for 28 days, followed by a 14-day post-intervention period. Participants are randomized into the P9 ( n = 93) and placebo ( n = 96) groups, with 170 individuals completing the double-blind intervention phase ( n = 85 per group). The primary endpoint is the diarrhea symptom severity score. Both intention-to-treat ( n = 189) and per-protocol (n = 170) analyses reveal a modest yet statistically significant reduction in diarrhea severity compared to the placebo group (20.0%, P = 0.050; 21.4%, P = 0.048, respectively). In conclusion, the results of this study support the use of probiotics in managing chronic diarrhea in young adults. However, the lack of blood parameter assessment and the short intervention period represent limitations of this study. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial young adults with chronic diarrhea were randomized into treatment and placebo groups to evaluate the effects of the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P9 strain administraiton. The primary endpoint was the diarrhea symptom severity score. Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses reveal a modest yet statistically significant reduction in diarrhea severity.