Evidence Spotlight: New AJG Study Reinforces the Role of Carbohydrate Malabsorption Breath Testing in DGBI

A recent study and editorial in The American Journal of Gastroenterology (AJG) revisit a question that sits at the heart of modern functional GI care: When patients with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) say they’re “intolerant” to certain carbohydrates, how often is that backed by objective malabsorption—and does it matter clinically? The answer from this work: carbohydrate malabsorption…

Every Test Matters: The Cost of Missed or Unreturned Breath Test Kits

Hydrogen and methane breath testing plays a critical role in diagnosing functional gastrointestinal disorders such as SIBO, IMO, and carbohydrate malabsorption. A breath test is ordered to answer a specific clinical question and guide next steps in patient care. When a test is never completed or returned, that diagnostic pathway stops short. Unreturned or unregistered…

New Study Validates the Clinical Utility of Hydrogen & Methane Breath Testing for SIBO

A newly published study from Swedish clinical researchers further confirms the diagnostic value of hydrogen and methane breath testing (HMBT) for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)—supporting the core science behind CDI’s non-invasive testing model. The 2025 study, Refined Lactulose Hydrogen Breath Test for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth Diagnosis Based on a Survey Among Experts, analyzed data from…

Why Symptoms Alone Aren’t Enough—The Critical Role of Breath Testing in Functional GI Diagnostics

As functional GI disorders, such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), and carbohydrate malabsorption, continue to challenge clinicians due to symptom overlap and diagnostic ambiguity, new research underscores an important truth: symptoms and history alone are not reliable predictors of breath test outcomes. A large-scale 2024 study conducted by our research…

Understanding Return Ratio: Why It Matters and How to Improve It

As practices across the country continue to adopt non-invasive hydrogen and methane breath testing to improve diagnostic accuracy for functional gastrointestinal conditions, one performance metric is proving especially critical to clinical and operational success: the test return ratio. Simply put, your return ratio is the percentage of breath test kits shipped to your practice (or…

How Kit Registration Drives Patient Compliance and Clinical Outcomes

In gastroenterology, missed tests often mean missed diagnoses—and missed opportunities for timely, effective care. As functional GI diagnostics continue to shift toward non-invasive, value-based solutions, such as hydrogen and methane breath testing, optimizing each step of the diagnostic process has never been more critical. One of the most powerful—and often overlooked—levers to improve test completion…

The Role of Test Timing and Sampling Intervals in Diagnostic Accuracy

Accurate diagnosis of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), and carbohydrate malabsorption relies on multiple critical factors, including the timing of the breath test and the consistency of sampling intervals. While the substrate used, patient preparation, and sample integrity all contribute to diagnostic success, the collection schedule itself plays a pivotal role…

The Importance of Proper Patient Preparation in Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing

Hydrogen and methane breath testing is one of the most accessible, non-invasive tools for identifying Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), and carbohydrate malabsorption disorders. However, even the most scientifically validated test can yield inaccurate results if patients don’t prepare properly. In this installment of the Breath Testing Done Right series, we…

Understanding Sensitivity and Specificity in Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing for SIBO and IMO

Hydrogen and methane breath testing has become a staple in diagnosing conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO). While effective, understanding the sensitivity and specificity of these tests is critical for interpreting results accurately. This article in our ongoing Breath Testing Done Right series delves into how sensitivity and specificity…

Understanding Sample Stability in Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing

Sample stability is a crucial factor directly impacting the accuracy and reliability of hydrogen and methane breath testing results. Ensuring that samples remain stable throughout collection, storage, and transportation is essential for maintaining the integrity of the breath test, which detects conditions such as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO), and carbohydrate…