Symptom Profile of Patients With Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Archaea constitute one of the main three domains of the tree of life, distinct from eukaryotes and bacteria. Excessive luminal loads of methanogenic archaea (intestinal methanogen overgrowth, IMO) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including constipation. To elucidate the phenotypical presentation of IMO, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and severity of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in subjects with IMO as compared to subjects without IMO. Electronic databases, including OVID MEDLINE and Cochrane Database from inception until September 2023, were systematically searched. Prevalence rates, odds ratios (ORs), standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of symptoms were calculated. Nineteen studies were included (1293 patients with IMO and 3208 controls). IMO patients exhibited various GI symptoms, including bloating (78%), constipation (51%), diarrhea (33%), abdominal pain (65%), nausea (30%), and flatulence (56%). Patients with IMO had a significantly higher prevalence of constipation as compared to controls (47% vs. 38%, OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.48-2.83, p<0.0001) along with lower prevalence of diarrhea (37% vs. 52%, OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37-0.90, p=0.01) and nausea (32% vs. 45%, OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.94, p=0.01). Patients with IMO had higher severity of constipation (SMD 0.77; 95% CI 0.11-1.43, p=0.02) and lower severity of diarrhea (SMD -0.71, 95% CI -1.39, -0.03, p=0.04). Significant heterogeneity was detected. Patients with IMO exhibit a higher rate and severity of constipation along with lower rate and severity of diarrhea. The distinct phenotype of IMO patients should be incorporated in patient-reported outcome measures and further correlated with mechanistic microbiome studies.