Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
10:37

Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform

Published on: November 30, 2016

Microscopic colitis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth--diagnosis behind the irritable bowel syndrome?

Adriana Stoicescu1, M Andrei, G Becheanu

  • 1Emergency University Hospital Elias, Bucharest.

Revista Medico-Chirurgicala a Societatii De Medici Si Naturalisti Din Iasi
|January 1, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Many patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) actually have microscopic colitis or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Early diagnosis and targeted treatment can resolve these conditions, improving patient outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Digestive Health

Background:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common diagnosis, but other conditions can mimic its symptoms.
  • Microscopic colitis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are potential underlying causes in some IBS patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of microscopic colitis and SIBO in patients with a prior IBS diagnosis.
  • To compare symptoms and treatment efficacy between IBS, microscopic colitis, and SIBO.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 132 patients with IBS was evaluated over three years.
  • Microscopic colitis was diagnosed via colonoscopy with biopsies; SIBO was diagnosed using a glucose H2-breath test.
  • Symptom profiles and treatment responses were compared.

Main Results:

  • Microscopic colitis was found in 3% and SIBO in 43.9% of patients initially diagnosed with IBS.
  • Diarrhea was a key symptom in microscopic colitis and SIBO, while IBS patients predominantly experienced pain, bloating, and flatulence.
  • Rifaximin treatment resolved SIBO in 70.9% of cases, indicated by a negative H2-breath test.

Conclusions:

  • Patients presenting with IBS symptoms should be screened for microscopic colitis and SIBO.
  • Accurate diagnosis and specific treatments can effectively manage or cure conditions misdiagnosed as IBS.

More Related Videos

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD08:43

Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD

Published on: February 1, 2012

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis08:40

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis

Published on: September 22, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome01:23

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

DefinitionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent combinations of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.Pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndromeIts pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving disturbances in motility, sensory processing, microbial balance, barrier integrity, and gut–brain communication. These mechanisms interact to produce symptoms that vary across IBS subtypes.Altered Motility PatternsDisordered...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction01:17

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...