Resumen

MANCILLA A, Carla et al. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Rev. méd. Chile [online]. 2008, vol.136, n.8, pp.976-980. ISSN 0034-9887.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0034-98872008000800003.

Background: Previous reports describe 30-40% of small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), SIBO is a cause of persistent symptoms in this group of patients even when they are treated with pancreatic enzymes. Aim: To asses the frequency of SIBO in patients with CP. Patients and methods: We studied 14 patients with CP using an hydrogen breath test with lactulose to detect SIBO, a nonabsorbable carbohydrate, whose results are not influenced by the presence of exocrine insufficiency. Main symptoms and signs were bloating in 9 (64%), recurrent abdominal pain in 8 (57%), intermittent diarrhea in 5 (36%) and steatorrhea in 5 (36%). At the same time we studied a healthy control group paired by age and sex. Results: SIBO was present in 13 of 14 patients with CP (92%) and in 1 of 14 controls (p<0.001). The only patient with CP and without SIBO was recently diagnosed and had minimal morphologic alterations in computed tomography and endoscopic pancreatography Conclusions: SIBO is common in CP and may be responsible for persistent symptoms. Proper diagnosis and treatment could alleviate symptoms andimprove quality of Ufe.

Palabras clave : Gastrointestinal contents; Malabsorption syndrome; Pancreatitis, chronic.

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