Role of Probiotics in Helicobacter pylori Eradication: Lessons from a Study of Lactobacillus reuteri Strains DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 6475 (Gastrus®) and a Proton-Pump Inhibitor

Table 1

Baseline characteristics of the two groups.

Characteristic	Active group^a	Placebo group^b
No. of subjects	28	28
Male/female	9/19	11/17
Mean age (year)	51.2	54.7
Mean body mass index	23.2	24.5
Smokers	7	3
Ex-smokers	2	4
NSAID users	3	3
Naïve for H. pylori treatment	27	26

^aSubjects treated with Gastrus® capsules (2 × 10⁸ CFU L. reuteri DSM 17938 + 2 × 10⁸ CFU L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475) with pantoprazole 20 mg, b.i.d. ^bSubjects treated with placebo with pantoprazole 20 mg, b.i.d.