A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effect of L. reuteri DSM 17938 on the number of days of sick leave related to respiratory and/or gastrointestinal diseases among male steelworkers.

242 subjects were randomised to ingest L. reuteri (10^8 CFU/day) or the matching placebo for 90 days, whereof 79 and 80 completed the study, respectively.

L. reuteri significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhoea, which was reported on 0.60 days for subjects of the L. reuteri group vs. 1.33 days in the placebo group. There was no difference in primary outcome of  number of sick days due to respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. The drop-out rate of randomized subjects was 34%.  

Conclusion: The incidence of diarrhoea was significantly reduced by the daily intake of L. reuteri DSM 17938, but there was no effect on the number of days of sick leave related to respiratory and/or gastrointestinal disease.