Who Should Request a Breath Hydrogen Test? A Six-Year Feasibility, Sensitivity of Clinical Suspicion and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

years, 201 in patients aged 5 to 18 years, and 131 in patients older than 18 years. Overall, 45 breath samples (12%) were considered unsatisfactory. Patients younger than 5 years (38%) had a significantly higher (P 18 years old [7%]). Of the 328 satisfactory BHTs, 162 (49%) were positive for either lactose intolerance (90%) or small bowel bacterial overgrowth (10%). The likelihood in obtaining a positive BHT was significantly (P<0.001) higher if the referring physician was a gastroenterologist. Our analysis also suggests a potential cost savings in having gastroenterologists screen patients for suspected lactose intolerance or bacterial overgrowth prior to ordering breath hydrogen testing.

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