BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous observations suggested that an early rise in breath @entity3884 after @entity11884 (ERBHAL) may identify @entity1 with @entity1744 ( @entity1744 ) likely to respond to probiotics. Therefore, we aimed to (i)investigate whether treatment with a probiotic changes breath @entity3884 responsein @entity1 with ERBHAL and (ii)whether these changes identifies @entity1 who may benefit symptomatically from probiotics. METHODS: In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, @entity1 with @entity1744 (Rome III) were randomised to either 65   ml/d fermented milk product containing probiotic (FMPP)or placebo for 6   weeks, followed by 6   weeks' open-label treatment and 6   weeks' withdrawal. Breath @entity3884 responses to @entity11884 (15   g) and liquid gastric emptying time were evaluated before and at the end of each treatment period. Symptoms were measured using a 100   mm visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Loss of ERBHAL occurred in 36% of 23 @entity1 receiving FMPP and 41% of 22 receiving placebo (p   =   1.00). Amongst 40 @entity1 who completed open-label FMPP treatment, ERBHAL was lost in a further 38%, continued in 25% and regained in 10%. Similar variability occurred in the withdrawal phase. Variability was unrelated to changes in gastric emptying. No differences in symptom response were seen between treatment groups nor in relation to the loss or retention of ERBHAL. CONCLUSIONS: Breath @entity3884 patterns after @entity11884 are poorly reproducible. No FMPP-specific effects on fermentation patterns or symptoms were observed. The presence of ERBHAL is not useful to predict symptomatic response to probiotic therapy in @entity1 with @entity1744 .

Breath @entity3884 response after XXXX does not predict symptom response to a probiotic fermented milk product in @entity1744 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity1744 :: ('MESH:D043183', 'Disease') :: ['irritable bowel syndrome', 'IBS'] @entity3884 :: ('MESH:D006859', 'Chemical') :: ['hydrogen'] @entity11884 :: ('MESH:D007792', 'Chemical') :: ['lactulose']
@entity11884 :: (MESH:D007792,Chemical) :: ['lactulose']
