Synbiotic as an ameliorating factor in the health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Zahra Hariri; Zahra Yari; Sedighe Hoseini; Khadijeh Abhari; Golbon Sohrab

doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02868-1

Synbiotic as an ameliorating factor in the health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BMC Womens Health. 2024 Jan 3;24(1):19. doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02868-1.

Authors

Zahra Hariri¹, Zahra Yari², Sedighe Hoseini³, Khadijeh Abhari⁴, Golbon Sohrab⁵

Affiliations

¹ Student Research Committee, Department of Clinical Nutrition and dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Department of Nutrition Research, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Preventative Gynecology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Department of Food Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁵ Clinical Nutrition and dietetics Department, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. golbonsohrab@yahoo.com.

Abstract

Background: There are complicated mechanisms that link the disruption of the gut microbiome to the symptoms and complications of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, an attempt was made to assess the effects of synbiotics on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with PCOS .

Methods: Fifty-six women with PCOS were enrolled in a triple-blind controlled trial for 12 weeks. They were randomly assigned to receive a daily 2-gram synbiotic sachets (containing Bacillus coagulans (GBI-30), Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus helveticus, and fructooligosaccharide) (n = 28) or placebo (n = 28). To evaluate the impact on the HRQoL, participants were required to fill 26-Item Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ-26), 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) pre and post the intervention.

Results: Finally, statistical analyses were performed on 52 participants who finished the trial. Synbiotic supplementation improved the scores of emotional (P = 0.044), body hair (P = 0.016), weight (P = 0.033) and infertility domains (P = 0.027) of PCOSQ-26 compared to placebo group. The physical score within SF-12 also had a significant enhancement (P = 0.035). No significant improvement was seen in the PSS-10 score at the end of the trial.

Conclusion: This study illustrated the advantageous effects of synbiotics on the health-related quality of life in women with PCOS. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.

Trial registration: http://www.irct.ir : IRCT20211108053007N1; date of registration: 14/02/2023.

Keywords: Bacillus coagulans; Health-related quality of life; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Synbiotic.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Infertility*
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / complications
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / diagnosis
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / therapy
Quality of Life / psychology
Synbiotics*

Supplementary concepts

Perceived Stress Scale

Associated data

ISRCTN/IRCT20211108053007N1