A comprehensive Socio-Economic Assessment (SEA) conducted by IPA Europe explores the potential socio-economic impact associated with probiotic use across several health areas in the European Union. By encouraging greater attention to gut microbiota support during antibiotic use, including the use of scientifically backed probiotics, European healthcare systems could potentially unlock savings of up to €8.5 billion per year.
Gut microbiota and antibiotic use: understanding the impact of AAD
Antibiotic use is known to significantly disrupt the normal gastrointestinal microbiota.
Antibiotics, such as broad-spectrum penicillins, cephalosporins, and fluoroquinolones, inadvertently destroy beneficial microorganisms, allowing harmful pathogens to overgrow.
Clostridium difficile is a leading infectious pathogen in this process, responsible for approximately 20% of AAD cases.
The risk of developing AAD is significantly higher for patients over 65, those taking proton pump inhibitors, and individuals enduring extended Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stays.
In some cases, AAD may progress to severe complications such as pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon, which dramatically increase the risk of life-threatening bowel perforation. Furthermore, AAD heavily impacts pediatric care, with an estimated 1.6 million cases occurring annually in EU children under 18.
Probiotic support during antibiotic use
For doctors and healthcare providers, preventing AAD before it starts is far more effective than treating it after onset. Scientific evidence demonstrates that specific probiotic strains, particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, help support gut microbiota balance and interact with the body’s natural defence mechanisms during antibiotic use.
Making use of probiotics alongside antibiotics has been investigated as a supportive approach for maintaining gut microbiota balance during antibiotic treatment.
Studies reviewed in the SEA suggest that probiotic use alongside antibiotics may help reduce the risk of AAD in adults by 37%. In pediatric populations, studies reported a potential reduction in AAD risk of up to 53%.
The economic burden of AAD on healthcare systems and society
For healthcare administrators and businesses, AAD translates into an unsustainable financial drain.
When AAD occurs, it places severe stress on medical infrastructure: 79% of affected patients require extra lab tests, 42% need additional medications, 14% must be placed in isolation rooms, and patients demand an extra 51 minutes of nursing care per day.
Consequently, the direct medical cost per affected patient ranges from €4,000 to €25,400, driven by differences in national healthcare costs and hospital setting.
Beyond direct medical expenses, AAD generates significant indirect costs that impact the broader economy, such as reduced workforce productivity and absenteeism of patients and caregivers.
Policy perspectives: the potential impact on healthcare sustainability
For politicians and policymakers, the macro-economic argument for preventing AAD is undeniable. Currently, C. difficile infections alone create an estimated burden of €3.2 billion annually for the EU.
Greater consideration of probiotics as part of gut microbiota support strategies during antibiotic use could contribute to significant healthcare savings.
Estimates indicate that the widespread preventive use of probiotics could save the EU between €1.2 and €1.7 billion per year solely in costs related to C. difficile.
When this preventive strategy is applied to all AAD cases, the potential healthcare savings surge to an astonishing €5.9 to €8.5 billion annually.
A visual summary of the key insights
Conclusion
Addressing the burden associated with AAD represents not only a healthcare challenge, but also an important socio-economic opportunity. Greater attention to gut microbiota support during antibiotic use, including the use of scientifically studied probiotics, may help improve healthcare sustainability, reduce pressure on hospital resources, and support quality of life across European populations.
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Download a ready-made slide deck to present the key concepts from this article
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Access a comprehensive dossier summarizing the latest data on probiotic use.
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Read the full Socio Economic Impact Assessment (SEA) on Probiotics in Europe
