Smal Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth

Question 1

What is Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SBBOS)?

Answer 1

A disorder characterised by excessive amounts of bacteria in the small bowel resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms

Symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain

Question 2

List three risk factors for SBBOS.

Answer 2

• Neonates with congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities
• Scleroderma
• Diabetes mellitus

Question 3

True or False: Many features of SBBOS overlap with irritable bowel syndrome.

Answer 3

True

Common symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain

Question 4

What diagnostic test is commonly used for SBBOS?

Answer 4

Hydrogen breath test

Small bowel aspiration and culture is used less often due to invasiveness and reproducibility issues

Question 5

What is a common method clinicians use as a diagnostic trial for SBBOS?

Answer 5

A course of antibiotics

This approach helps in determining if symptoms improve with antibiotic treatment

Question 6

What is the treatment of choice for SBBOS?

Answer 6

Rifaximin

Rifaximin is preferred due to relatively low resistance

Question 7

Name two alternative antibiotics that are effective in the majority of SBBOS patients.

Answer 7

• Co-amoxiclav
• Metronidazole

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The management of SBBOS includes correction of the underlying disorder and _______.

Answer 8

[antibiotic therapy]