Thai Journal of Gastroenterology

Article :
Prevalence of Positive Glucose-Hydrogen Breath Test in Healthy Thai and IBS Patients

Author :
Kittisuk Pitayasiri, M.D.
Pipop Jirapinyo, M.D.
Nuchnoi Thamonsiri, M.D.
Supot Pongprasobchai, M.D.
Sathaporn Manatsathit, M.D.

Abstract :

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common GI problem diagnosed by symptom-based
criteria that is partly similar to those experienced by subjects with small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIB0).  Whether
SIBO is associated with IBS is unclear.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of positive glucose hydrogen breath
test, an acceptable non-invasive test for SIBO in IBS and healthy Thai patients.
Patients and Methods: A total of 34 diarrhea-predominant IBS patients, diagnosed by gastroenterolo-
gists at Siriraj Hospital using Rome II criteria and 34 healthy controls underwent glucose-hydrogen breath test.
Breath hydrogen was analyzed at baseline and every 30 minutes for 2 hours after drinking 50 gram glucose.
Results: Mean baseline fasting glucose hydrogen breath test in IBS patients is 5.53 +/- 6.56 ppm. com-
pared to 4.50 +/- 3.41 ppm. in healthy controls (P = NS).  Glucose hydrogen breath test was considered positive in 3/
34 (8.8%) of IBS patients but negative in all healthy controls (P = NS).
Conclusions: Prevalence of positive glucose hydrogen breath test in diarrhea-predominant IBS pa-
tients is not statistically significant compared to healthy controls.  This pilot study does not show higher prevalence
of SIBO, i.e. positive glucose hydrogen breath test in IBS patients.

[Thai J Gastroenterol 2004; 5(3): 172-176]

Keyword :
Prevalence, glucose-hydrogen breath test, IBS

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