Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Abstract

50%, a random effects model was used. There was a clear association between SIBO and MASLD (OR = 3.09; 95% CI 2.09–4.59, I2 = 66%, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses by MASLD stage showed that the probability of SIBO positivity increased with MASLD lesion severity. After stratifying by the diagnostic methods for SIBO and MASLD, the meta-analysis results suggest a reduction in inter-group heterogeneity. For the MASLD subgroup diagnosed via liver biopsy, the OR was 4.89. A subgroup analysis of four studies that included intestinal permeability testing revealed an OR of 3.86 (95% CI: 1.80–8.28, I2 = 9%, p = 0.0005). A meta-regression analyses revealed that both race and regional development level significantly influenced the relationship between SIBO and MASLD (p = 0.010, p = 0.047). In conclusion, this meta-analyses provides strong evidence that SIBO may contribute to the development and progression of MASLD. The strongest associations were observed between lactulose breath testing, gut microbiota culture, liver biopsy diagnosis of MASLD, and SIBO detected through intestinal permeability testing. The primary sources of heterogeneity are race and developed regions. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=427040.