[Between Guidelines and Gases: A Multicenter Evaluation of the Methodology, Diagnostic Accuracy and Quality of Hydrogen and Methane Breath Tests in Argentina].

Introduction: The breath test is currently the most widely used tool for diagnosing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The rising prevalence of this condition has led to increased test utilization. However, concerns remain regarding its im plementation, including adherence to international guidelines related to methodology, diagnostic interpretation, and report quality. Aim: To assess the methodology, report quality, and diagnostic accuracy of breath tests for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in Argentina, based on international guidelines. Material and methods: A multicenter observational study included 210 breath test reports from 8 centers across differ ent geographic regions of Argentina. The methodology used for test performance and report quality was evaluated based on 13 predefined criteria. Additionally, the concordance between the diagnoses reported by centers and those determined by an expert based on international guidelines was analyzed. Results: Significant heterogeneity in methodology and low ad herence to international guidelines were observed. Among the studies, 89% measured only H Conclusions: This study underscores the need to standardize breath test methodology and enhance adherence to international guidelines. Efforts should focus on improving report quality, unifying methodology, and increasing diagnostic accuracy for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in Argentina.