Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Critically Ill Patients

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) syndrome, though associated with potentially serious complications, has not been adequately studied to date in critically ill patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU). A modified method for SIBO diagnosis is employed concerning a standard breath test. Specifically, as all participants are intubated and in need of mechanical ventilation, SIBO diagnosis is based on a non-invasive modified technique for sampling exhaled air from the ventilator tubes and performing a standard hydrogen breath test. The primary objective of this study is assessment of the prevalence of SIBO on ICU patients. Secondary outcomes include investigation of the effects of SIBO on ventilator associated pneumonia, as well as ICU length of stay and all-cause in-hospital mortality rate in critically ill patients.