Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Diagnostics Market Size, Trends and Growth Analysis by 2027

The global market for diagnosing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately US$ 194,604.51 thousand by 2028, up from US$ 138,324.23 thousand in 2020. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4% from 2021 to 2028.

Historically, the diagnosis of SIBO relied on jejunal aspiration and the analysis of duodenal fluids. However, due to the invasive nature of these procedures, they have largely been supplanted by breath tests. Breath testing is a non-invasive, user-friendly, and straightforward approach to diagnosing SIBO. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of breath tests has led to their increased adoption in clinical settings. For example, the price of a breath test can vary between US$ 145 and US$ 400, depending on the healthcare provider and the specifics of the insurance coverage.

Among the various breath tests available, hydrogen breath tests are commonly utilized for assessing carbohydrate malabsorption, while lactulose and glucose hydrogen breath tests are specifically designed to evaluate bacterial overgrowth. Notably, the lactulose hydrogen breath test is considered to be less specific compared to the glucose hydrogen breath test. A systematic review and meta-analysis published in January 2020, titled "Breath Tests for the Non-invasive Diagnosis of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis," indicated that the glucose hydrogen breath test has a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 83%, whereas the lactulose hydrogen breath test shows a sensitivity of 42% and a specificity of 70%.

These breath tests are also instrumental in diagnosing other gastrointestinal disorders, such as intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO), which can disrupt the normal digestion of dietary sugars, as well as rapid small bowel transit time. Furthermore, these tests can assist in identifying irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by detecting primitive hypersensitivity. Given these advantages, it is anticipated that breath tests will significantly contribute to the growth of the SIBO diagnostics market throughout the forecast period.

The SIBO diagnostics market is categorized based on diagnostic methods into several segments: breath testing, small intestine aspirate and fluid culture tests, blood tests, and others. In 2020, the breath testing segment dominated the market and is expected to continue its rapid growth in the coming years. This trend is primarily due to the numerous benefits associated with breath testing, including its non-invasive nature, patient-friendliness, simplicity, and affordability.

From a classification perspective, the SIBO diagnostics market is divided into three main types: hydrogen-predominant SIBO, methane-predominant SIBO, and recurrent SIBO. In 2020, the hydrogen-predominant SIBO segment held the largest market share, and it is projected to experience the fastest growth in the upcoming years.

In preparing the report on the SIBO diagnostics market, various primary and secondary sources were consulted. Notable organizations referenced include the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Argentinean Allergen Immunotherapy, and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, among others.