Plasma levels of intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP), abdominal distension and hydrogen concentration after lactitol small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) test

Breath tests with glucose, lactulose or lactitol are useful for diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Nevertheless, they have suboptimal sensitivity and specificity and, indeed, are positive in a considerable number of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The complexity in the management of patients with functional intestinal disorders and the availability of these tests are leading to frequent diagnoses of SIBO. Intestinal Fatty-Acid Binding protein (I-FABP) is a protein present in the cytosol of intestinal epithelial cells. Its plasmatic levels have been related to different enteropathies and, therefore, could be a marker of early intestinal damage with unconfirmed clinical utility. Hence, we have studied the plasmatic I-FABP level of patients who are requested a lactitol test to confirm SIBO and related it to clinical and laboratory characteristics and SIBO test results.