AIM:To evaluate the induction of remission and main-tenance effects of probiotics for ulcerative colitis.METHODS: Information was retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The induction of remission and promotion of mainte-nance were compared between probiotics treatment and non-probiotics treatment in ulcerative colitis.RESULTS: Thirteen randomized controlled studies met the selection criteria. Seven studies evaluated the remission rate, and eight studies estimated the recur-rence rate; two studies evaluated both remission and recurrence rates. Compared with the non-probiotics group, the remission rate for ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 1.35 (95% CI: 0.98-1.85). Compared with the placebo group, the remission rate of ulcerative colitis who received probiotics was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.35-2.96). During the course of treatment, in patients who received probiotics for less than 12 mo compared with the group treated by non-probiotics, the remission rate of ulcerative colitis was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.07-1.73). Compared with the non-probioticsgroup, the recurrence rate of ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 0.69 (95% CI: 2.47-1.01). In the mild to moderate group who received probiotics, compared to the group who did not receive probiotics, the recurrence rate was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.51). The group who received Bifidobacterium bifidum treatment had a recurrence rate of 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.50) compared with the non-probiotics group.CONCLUSION: Probiotic treatment was more effec-tive than placebo in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis. AIM: To evaluate the induction of remission and main-tenance effects of probiotics for ulcerative colitis. METHODS: Information was retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The induction of remission and promotion of main-nance were compared between probiotics treatment and non-probiotics treatment in ulcerative colitis. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled studies the selection criteria. Seven studies evaluating the remission rate, and eight studies estimated the recur-rence rate; Two studies evaluated both remission and recurrence rates. non-probiotics group, the remission rate for ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 1.35 (95% CI: 0.98-1.85). Compared with the placebo group, the remission rate of ulcerative colitis who received probiotics was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.35 -2.96). During the course of treatment, in patients who received probiotics for less than 12 months compared with the group treated by non-probiotics, t Compared with the non-probiotics group, the recurrence rate of ulcerative colitis patients who received probiotics was 0.69 (95% CI: 2.47-1.01). The remission rate of ulcerative colitis was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.07-1.73) to moderate group who received probiotics, compared to the group who did not receive probiotics, the recurrence rate was 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.51). The group who received Bifidobacterium bifidum treatment had a recurrence rate of 0.25 (95% CI: 0.12-0.50) compared with the non-probiotics group. CONCLUSION: Probiotic treatment was more effec-tive than placebo in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis.