Bile acid diarrhea - as bad as it gets?

Purpose of reviewBile acid diarrhea (BAD) is a common but under-recognized gastrointestinal condition that manifests with increased stool frequency and urgency, and a looser stool consistency. The aim of this review is to present recent advances in the pathophysiology, mechanisms, manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of BAD.Recent findingsPatients with BAD have evidence of accelerated colonic transit, increased gut mucosal permeability, altered stool microbiome composition, and decreased quality of life. Single, random stool measurements of bile acids, alone or in combination with fasting serum 7-alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, have shown good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of BAD. Novel therapeutic approaches include farnesoid X receptor agonists and glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists.Recent research has led to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and mechanisms of BAD, which might pave the way towards more targeted treatment strategies for BAD. Newer, more affordable, and easier diagnostic methods facilitate the diagnosis of BAD.