Your small intestine is where the majority of nutrients and fluids are absorbed into your body during digestion.1
SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME WITH INTESTINAL FAILURE (SBS-IF) OVERVIEW
Your small intestine is where the majority of nutrients and fluids are absorbed into your body during digestion.1 Short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure (SBS-IF) is an ultra-rare condition in which your body is unable to absorb enough nutrients and fluids from your diet as a consequence of the intestine being too short.2
CAUSES OF SBS-IF
In the majority of cases, SBS-IF is caused by short bowel syndrome (SBS).3
SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME (SBS)
- Defined as a remaining small bowel length shorter than 200 cm (79 inches)3
- Often occurs as a result of having significant portions of your small intestine removed during surgery3
INTESTINAL FAILURE (IF)
- Length and function of the small intestine falls below the minimum necessary for the absorption of nutrients and water to maintain good health3
EFFECTS OF SBS-IF ON THE BODY
SBS-IF results in malabsorption and can put you at risk of malnutrition, diarrhoea and dehydration.2–5
SYMPTOMS OF SBS-IF
SBS-IF symptoms will vary in type and severity from person to person. The most common symptoms associated with the inability to properly absorb fluids and nutrients are shown adjacent:3,4
SYMPTOMS
fatigue
diarrhoea
dehydration
weight loss & malnutrition
fluid & electrolyte imbalance
SBS-IF DISEASE MANAGEMENT
If you have SBS-IF and are unable to meet nutritional and fluid needs through an oral diet, you may be given nutrients by a method known as parenteral support (PS). PS gives you the necessary nutrients by vein, straight into your blood to keep you healthy.3,4
Intestinal failure should not be confused with intestinal insufficiency. While intestinal function is compromised in patients with intestinal insufficiency, the nutrients needed to thrive still come from an oral diet or through tube feeding, known as enteral nutrition.3
- Guillen B, et al. Short Bowel Syndrome. StatPearls. 2019.
- Melchiorri D, et al. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2013;12(9):719.
- Pironi L, et al. Clin Nutr. 2016;35(2):247–307.
- Hofstetter S, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2013;29(5):495–504.
- Kelly DG, et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2014;38:427–437.
PATIENT SUPPORT
Being diagnosed with a serious, chronic and extremely rare condition can be upsetting and confusing. You will naturally have questions and concerns. However, by being diagnosed, you are empowered to understand what you are dealing with.
Date of preparation: April 2020 C-ANPROM/INT//7389