Effect of Probiotics on Health-related Quality of Life in College Students With Upper Respiratory Infections

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey231 enrolled

Overview

The main purpose of the study is to find out if probiotics (healthy bacteria found in yogurt) can improve the health-related quality of life (HRQL) during upper respiratory infections (like the common cold) in college students living in residence hall on-campus at Framingham State University (Framingham, MA) who are randomized to receive a probiotic or placebo candy daily for 12 weeks. HRQL is a subjective measure, defined as the aspects of quality of life (i.e., one's satisfaction with their life) that related specifically to a person's health (for example, ability to carry out normal daily activities). The investigators hypothesize that HRQL during URIs will be significantly higher in the probiotic groups compared to the placebo group. The proposed study will also seek to address the following secondary objectives: missed school and work days due to a upper respiratory infection.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

231

Conditions

Upper Respiratory Infection

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 25 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Student at Framingham State University (Framingham, MA) 2. Live in on-campus housing Exclusion Criteria: 1. their driver's license or state identification card indicated that they were under 18 years of age or over 25 years of age; 2. they experienced chronic perennial allergies (such as, allergies to dust or 3) they were pregnant 4\) they had been diagnosed with medical conditions affecting immune function (for example, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus) 5) they had acute pancreatitis, were undergoing treatment for cancer; or, were taking immunosuppressive drugs for an autoimmune disease or post-transplant.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Health-related quality of life

Subjects are asked to complete a questionnaire every day for 12 weeks that inquires about any common cold symptoms that they may be experiencing, severity of the symptoms, and how the symptoms interfere with their daily activities. Health-related quality of life is operationalized by total score on the questionnaire.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Missed work days

Once per week, for 12 weeks, subjects are asked to complete a questionnaire that inquires about missed work days.

Time frame: Once per week over the course of 12 weeks