Use of breath testing in gastrointestinal disorders

The article presents the data and review of the North American Consensus (2017) recommendations on the use of hydrogenmethane breathing test in diagnosing gastrointestinal disorders accompanied by excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine. On May 16, 2015, 17 leading scientists specializing in breathing tests took part in a consensus meeting in Washington (DC, USA). By a voting method, 28 consensus statements were identified and recommendations were given on the following issues regarding the use of the hydrogen-methane the procedure itself test in gastroenterological practice: 1) preparation for a breathing test; 2) indications for a breathing test; 3) the procedure itself; 4) interpretation of results; 5) gaps in the knowledge and unresolved issues.