SIBO is an acronym meaning “small intestine bacterial overgrowth”. According to research appearing in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain (2001;9(3):107-113), there may be a connection between fibromyalgia and bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The study involved 815 subjects, of whom 152 were diagnosed as having fibromyalgia. Of the 152 fibromyalgia patients, 29 had inflammatory bowel disease and were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 123 fibromyalgia patients, 96 tested positive for bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, as diagnosed by the lactulose hydrogen breath test. Also, 107 of the fibromyalgia patients met the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome.
In a follow up test following antibiotic therapy, the 25 subjects returned for testing. Of those 25 patients, 11 had eliminated the small intestine bacteria and 14 had incomplete eradication of the bacteria. Of the 25 patients, 57% had a global improvement in their symptoms.
The article notes correlation between fibromyalgia symptoms and certain species of bacteria. Certain species of Chlamydia and Borelia may produce endotoxins that can cause the systemic symptoms.
