Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Consequences, Diagnosis and Treatment
Nitesh Pratap1*, Ravi Shankar B2, Bharani I3, Santosh N4 and Sameer Kumar5
1Department of Medical Gastroenterology, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad India
2Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Yashoda Hospitals, Secunderabad, India
3Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Apollo Hospitals, Secunderabad, India
4Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Medicover Hospitals, Hi-tech City, India
5Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Gleneagles Hospitals, India
*Corresponding Author: Nitesh Pratap, Department of Medical Gastroenterology, KIMS Hospitals, Secunderabad India.
Received:
March 27, 2025; Published: March 31, 2025
Abstract
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating and altered bowel habits. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has emerged as a potential contributor to IBS pathophysiology. This review aims to elaborate the relationship between SIBO and IBS explaining the association, consequences, diagnostic approach and therapeutic strategies. Prevalence of SIBO in IBS shows a wide variation with higher estimates at 25 - 80%. Though symptoms of SIBO are classical, it is still sometimes difficult to diagnose. The gold standard test is jejunal aspirate and analysis of small bowel flora, but is cumbersome. Glucose hydrogen breath test (GHBT) and/or lactulose hydrogen breath test (LaHBT) can be screening tests and are practically easy to carry out. Treatment often includes antibiotics, probiotics and dietary intervention
Keywords: IBS; SIBO; ROME IV; Dysbiosis; Rifaximin; Probiotics
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