Prevalence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Multiple Sclerosis

It has been hypothesized that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have a high prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).  The reason is unknown but some researchers believe that a problem in the gastrointestinal microbiota can cause MS while others believe the affects of MS make these patients more susceptible to SIBO.  A recent study conducted in China sort to examine the prevalence of SIBO in MS patients.

The study enrolled 118 patients with definitive MS and 118 age-sex matched controls. Progression of disability was assessed using the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS). All patients and controls underwent the glucose hydrogen breath test to assess SIBO.

The result was that forty-five of the 118 MS patients were SIBO positive (38.14%) ; compared with 10 of 118 in the control group (8.47%).  In addition, 102 out of the 118 patients (86.4%) presented at least one GI symptom. Constipation (78.0%), Bloating (46.6%), and fecal incontinence (44.1%) were common.

In conclusion, SIBO is highly prevalent in Chinese patients with MS.

REF:   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27890460