Dyssynergic Defecation Is Associated With Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

BACKGROUND: Microbial overgrowth (MO) in the small intestine can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and may arise from stasis, such as dysmotility. Microtypes of MO include small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO). Dyssynergic defecation (DD) is associated with constipation and slow colonic transit (STC). Our aim was to assess the relationship between DD and MO. METHODS: CFU/mL. Chi-square tests compared positive vs. negative results. KEY RESULTS: CFU/mL was more prevalent in DD than STC (85.5% vs. 64.7%, p = 0.002). IMO was more common in DD than STC (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION/INFERENCES: DD may be a risk factor for MO, often with evidence of methanogenesis.