Carbohydrate malabsorption and carbohydrate-specific small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: diagnostic approach and overlap

Background: Carbohydrate malabsorption is a considerable problem in patients with non-specific abdominal complaints. While lactose malabsorption is well investigated, few epidemiologic data are available for fructose and sorbitol malabsorption or combined carbohydrate malabsorption syndromes. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence rates for primary lactose malabsorption, fructose and sorbitol malabsorption, and carbohydrate-specific small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (cs-SIBO) in an Austrian outpatient center. Additionally the diagnostic value of methane (CH4) measurements in carbohydrate mala…