The role of the microbiome and the use of probiotics in gastrointestinal disorders in adults in the Asia-Pacific region - background and recommendations of a regional consensus meeting

Uday C. Ghoshal, Kok Ann Gwee, Gerald Holtmann, Yanmei Li, Soo Jung Park, Marcellus Simadibrata, Kentaro Sugano, Kaichun Wu, Eamonn M.M. Quigley, Henry Cohen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Asia-Pacific region is diverse, with regard to ethnicity, culture, and economic development incorporating some of the world's least and most developed nations. Gastrointestinal diseases are common in the Asia-Pacific region, and their prevalence, presentation, and management vary considerably within the region. There is growing evidence for an important role for the human gut microbiota in gastrointestinal health. As a consequence, geographic variations in the composition of the gut microbiota may contribute to variations in both the prevalence and response to therapy of specific diseases. Probiotics have been proposed as a valuable option in the prevention and treatment of a number of gastrointestinal illnesses, but the quality of available evidence to support their efficacy is variable. A meeting of international experts in adult and pediatric gastroenterology was held at the Sorbonne University, Paris, France, on April 11 and 12, 2016, to discuss current evidence supporting the use of probiotics in gastrointestinal disorders in the Asia-Pacific region. This article provides an overview of the discussions held at this meeting and recommends the formation of an Asia-Pacific Consortium on Gut Microbiota similar to those established in Europe and North America.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)57-69
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2018

Keywords

  • consensus
  • gastrointestinal disorders
  • probiotics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

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