Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with functional gastrointestinal diseases

Background: Recent studies have described a high percentage of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the prevalence of SIBO has not been well established in other functional disorders. Aim: To evaluate the Prevalence of SIBO inpatients with different functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Material and methods: Patients with FGID completed a self-administered questionnaire providing information to diagnose functional disorders on the basis of Rome 11 criteria. SIBO was assessed using a standardized lactulose breath test. A basal value of breath hydrogen (H2) > 20 ppm and/or two lectures of H2 values > 20 ppm during the first 60 minutes were considered suggestive of SIBO. Results: We studied 367 patients with a mean age of 50 years (87% females). Of these, 225 had IBS (45 constipation predominant, 121 diarrhea predominant and 59 alternating type), 33 bad functional constipation, 83 bad functional bloating and 26 had,functional diarrhea. SIBO was found in 7696 of patients with IBS, 73916 of those with functional constipation, 69016 of those with functional diarrhea and 68% of those with functional bloating. Conclusions: This study confirms a high percentage of SIBO in patients with IBS and other FGID. The eradication of SIBO should be considered as a therapeutic tool in these patients (Rev Med Chile 2007; 135:1245-52).