Evaluating Breath Methane as a Diagnostic Test for Constipation Predominant IBS

“…Technically, these factors should be ruled out before a diagnosis of IBS-C is made but this is not consistent amongst clinicians (44). Also associated with an increase in methanogenic bacteria, IBS-C is predictable by methane gas production as measured in human breath, with 91.7% sensitivity and 81.3% specificity (57). Pimentel et al (38) conducted hydrogen-methane testing in subjects with fibromyalgia but did not report either methane levels or IBS sub-types.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of the association between fibromyalgia and functional gastrointestinal disorders

Erdrich¹

2020

Preprint

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Background Fibromyalgia and functional gastrointestinal disorders are frequently encountered in clinical settings. Common to both is significant burden on individuals and health care systems, an elusive aetiology and several comorbid conditions. While a relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia has been demonstrated, a broader review of the relationship between fibromyalgia and other functional gut disorders has not been undertaken. Objectives This paper reports a systematic review of the published literature, identifying the comorbidity of functional gastrointestinal disorders in people with fibromyalgia. We discuss the clinical implications, limitations of current research, and areas of interest for future research Methods A systematic review of the databases Medline, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science was undertaken in June 2019. Results were screened for original articles meeting strict criteria for identification of functional gastrointestinal disorders in adult subjects with fibromyalgia. ResultsFourteen articles were included investigating 1340 subjects with fibromyalgia, 363 healthy controls and 441 subjects with other pathologies. Functional gut disorders were matched to Rome II criteria for reporting and comparison. In addition to increased abdominal pain and functional bloating/gas, irritable bowel of mixed-pattern and constipation-types were more prevalent that diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel in adults with fibromyalgia. One study reported the range of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Conclusion Existing research has focused on the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia, but sub-typing of irritable bowel syndrome is generally overlooked. A strong association with a range of functional gastrointestinal disorders is suggested. Further investigation is needed to determine the prevalence and relevance of the range of functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients with fibromyalgia.

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“…In SIBO, a change in the number and type of bacteria results in intestinal motor dysfunction and may be an underlying cause of IBS symptoms . Researchers have also noted that methanogenesis is more common in constipating conditions, and that CH 4 levels measured using LBT are higher in patients with C‐IBS . CH 4 is excreted either in flatus or breath and traverses the intestinal mucosa, where it is absorbed into the systemic circulation .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%