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2014 ; 29
(4
): 398-405
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Hydrogen breath tests in gastrointestinal diseases
#MMPMID25298621
Rana SV
; Malik A
Indian J Clin Biochem
2014[Oct]; 29
(4
): 398-405
PMID25298621
show ga
Hydrogen breath tests are widely used to explore pathophysiology of functional
gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and
carbohydrate malabsorption are disorders detected by these tests that have been
proposed to be of great importance for symptoms of GI diseases. Glucose hydrogen
breath test is more acceptable for diagnosis of SIBO whereas lactose and fructose
hydrogen breath tests are used for detection of lactose and fructose maldigestion
respectively. Lactulose hydrogen breath test is also used widely to measure the
orocecal transit time for GI motility. These methods are noninvasive and
inexpensive. Many patients with functional gut disorders are unaware of the
relationship between diet and GI symptoms they present. In particular, patients
with chronic symptoms may regard their condition as normal and may not be aware
that their symptoms can be effectively managed following a proper diagnosis.
Patients with symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and altered bowel
movements (diarrhea and constipation), or with a medical diagnosis of irritable
bowel syndrome or celiac disease, may have undiagnosed carbohydrate malabsorption
or SIBO. Hydrogen breath tests are specific and sensitive diagnostic tests that
can be used to either confirm or eliminate the possibility of carbohydrate
malabsorption or SIBO in such patients. Breath tests, though valuable tools, are
underutilized in evaluating dyspepsia and functional bloating and diarrhea as
well as suspected malabsorption. However, because of their simplicity,
reproducibility and safety of procedure they are now being substituted to more
uncomfortable and expensive techniques that were traditionally used in
gastroenterology.