Abstract:Probiotics are living microbes which may give health benefit to the host. Despite their wide usage, the clinical use of probiotics lacks support from reasonable big data. Dozens of clinical studies have reported that probiotics are a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). However, based on data from recent randomized controlled trials, it is hard to give a positive answer to whether probiotics could decrease the incidence of AAD in the elderly. Up till now, probiotics have a very good safety record. The use of probiotics may be beneficial for certain elderly patients including AAD, while needs be considered individually.