Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Primary Care Review

Abstract

Gastrointestinal symptoms are commonly seen in the primary care setting.¹ These patient presentations can be nonspecific, leading to a broad differential diagnosis. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is a clinical entity that can present with many of these nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. The recent interest in the microbiome by those in the medical and lay communities has made this syndrome all the more relevant. This review gives the primary care provider an up-to-date understanding of the etiology, risk factors and predisposing factors, presentation, diagnostic testing, and management of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.