The Prevalence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB): a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

We reviewed the literature on the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Eight studies examining 893 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 48.11 +/- 4.89 years. The mean BMI before surgery and at the time of SIBO diagnosis was 44.57 +/- 2.89 kg/m(2) and 31.53 +/- 2.29 kg/m(2), respectively. Moreover, the results showed a 29% and 53% prevalence of SIBO at < 3-year and > 3-year follow-up after RYGB, respectively. Symptoms included abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, soft stool, frequent defecation, flatulence, rumpling, dumping syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome. SIBO is prevalent after RYGB; digestive symptoms should prompt the consideration of SIBO as a potential etiology. Antibiotic therapy has proven to be therapeutic.