Effects of Probiotics on Prevalence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Multitrauma Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Probiotics may have a role in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by inhibiting the natural flora from transforming into pathogenic flora. Objective: We sought to assess the effects of probiotics on the prevalence of VAP in multitrauma patients hospitalized in a neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed from 2018 and 2019 with the participation of 150 patients hospitalized in the Neurosurgical ICU. After randomizing the participants (using the permutable blocking method) into the intervention (probiotic) and control (placebo) groups, the interventions were implemented. Each participant received one capsule every 12 hours by gavage and their VAP symptoms were evaluated and recorded. Data were assessed via SPSS-22 and then compared using the chi-square, independent t-test, Fisher's exact test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The prevalence of VAP was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p=0.001). A significant difference was observed between the two groups in pH (p=0.029) and WBC (p=0.042). The between-group difference in other variables was not significant. Conclusion: Probiotics are effective in reducing the prevalence of VAP in trauma patients hospitalized in ICU.