Oral probiotic and prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study in intensive care unit patients

Table 1 Characteristics of patients enrolled in the study

Characteristic	Placebo group (n = 106)	Probiotic group (n = 102)
Age (years; median [range])	57 (18–80)	60 (18–91)
Sex (male/female)	81/25^a	65/37^a
SAPS II score (mean ± SD)	44.2 ± 15.3	44.6 ± 16.0
Stay (days; median [range])	13.5 (3–88)	14.0 (3–91)
Gastric tube (days; median [range])	11.0 (2–88)	12.0 (1–90)
Urinary tract catheter (days; median [range])	13.0 (3–88)	14.0 (2–90)
Tracheal intubation (n^b/days; median [range])	100/9.0 (1–88)	96/12.0 (1–90)
Ventilatory assistance (n^b/days; median [range])	103/13.0 (3–88)	99/14.0 (2–90)
Vascular catheter (n^b/days; median [range])	105/14.0 (3–88)	100/14.5 (2–90)
Antibiotic treatment	105	101
Antipseudomonas drugs (n; ceftazidime and/or imipenem and/or ciprofloxacin)	43	55
Fluconazole (n)	26^a	45^a

^aP < 0.05. ^bThe total number is indicated for characteristic when different from 106 and 102 for the placebo and the probiotic group, respectively. SAPS, Simplified Acute Physiology Score; SD, standard deviation.

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