Description
Intestinal dysbiosis may be defined as a state of disordered microbial ecology that is believed to cause disease, including conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and malabsorption. Laboratory analysis of fecal samples is proposed as a method of identifying individuals with intestinal dysbiosis.
Summary of Evidence
For individuals with gastrointestinal conditions such as suspected intestinal dysbiosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), malabsorption, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth who receive fecal analysis testing, the evidence includes several cohort and case-control studies comparing fecal microbiota in individuals who had a known disease with healthy controls. The relevant outcomes are test validity, symptoms, and functional outcomes. The available retrospective cohort studies on fecal analysis have suggested that some components of the fecal microbiome and inflammatory markers may differ across individuals with IBS subtypes. No studies were identified on the diagnostic accuracy of fecal analysis versus another diagnostic approach or that compared health outcomes in individuals managed with and without fecal analysis tests. No studies were identified that directly informed the use of fecal analysis in the evaluation of intestinal dysbiosis, malabsorption, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.
