Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: A possible risk factor for metabolic bone disease

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is one of the causes of malabsorption syndromes. The prevalence of metabolic bone disease in patients with SIBO is unknown, but a recent prospective case-control study indicated significant contribution of SIBO to the development of metabolic bone disease. We review this and other reports in the literature and discuss the possible mechanisms causing metabolic bone disease in patients with SIBO. (C) 2003 International Life Sciences Institute.