Kim DB, et al. - The prevalence and characteristics of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) were examined in patients with gallstone disease. Among these patients, SIBO was found to be common. Particularly, CH₄ or mixed-type SIBO appeared to be prevalent and to worsen intestinal symptoms

Methods

• Researchers performed this prospective study.
• A total of 265 patients for gallstone disease (200, gallstones; 65, cholecystectomy) and 39 healthy controls were assessed.
• They performed laboratory data, abdominal ultrasonography, and glucose breath test (GBT) with bowel symptom questionnaire.

Results

• In patients with gallstone disease (36.6%), GBT positivity (+) was significantly higher than that in controls (20.5%).
• GBT+ was significantly higher in the gallstone group (40.5%) than that in the control or cholecystectomy group (24.6%).
• In this study, the number of patients with the gallstone, tended to be higher in the GBT (H₂) +, (CH₄)+, and (mixed)+ groups (56 [28.0%], 11 [5.5%], and 14 [7.00%]), respectively.
• Researchers found an independent association of gallbladder disease with fatty liver, metabolic syndrome and SIBO.
• Seventy patients (72.1%), 12 (12.4%) and 15 (15.5%) were in the GBT (H₂)+, (CH₄)+, (mixed)+ groups, respectively, out of 97 GBT+ patients.
• Compared with the cholecystectomy group, GBT (CH4)+, or GBT (mixed)+ were significantly associated with the gallstone group.
• When compared with the GBT- group, the GBT (mixed)+ group had higher total symptom scores for hard stool and urgency tendency.
• The GBT (mixed)+ group had higher total symptom scores than the GBT (H₂)+ group in terms of hard stool and loose stool tendency.
• In patients with gallstone diseases, gallstone was the only independent factor for SIBO.