Short Bowel Syndrome

Not an actual patient.

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare, chronic, and life-threatening malabsorption disorder.1-4

SBS results from reduction in length of the small bowel, primarily owing to intestinal resection.1,3 Depending on remnant bowel anatomy and its residual function, patients with SBS may not be able to absorb sufficient nutrients with a conventional diet alone.3,5

Short bowel syndrome illustration

Epidemiology and Etiology

The true incidence and prevalence of SBS in the US are unknown due to its rarity, potential under-reporting, and the lack of reliable patient databases.6,7  

Patients with SBS comprise a heterogeneous population with varying etiologies that may differ between adults and children.8 The most common causes of SBS in adults include postoperative complications, mesenteric ischemia, and Crohn’s disease.8 In pediatric patients, the most common causes of SBS are congenital and perinatal diseases.9

Pathophysiology

The loss of functioning intestinal surface area in SBS results in decreased absorption of macronutrients, fluid and/or electrolytes wherein health and/or growth is unable to be maintained with a conventional diet and intravenous (IV) supplementation is required.5

Following extensive intestinal resection, structural and functional changes in the remaining intestine may occur to absorb more nutrients and fluid through a natural compensatory process called intestinal adaptation.10-12 This process is encouraged by the presence of nutrients in the gut lumen and the release of gut-related hormones—notably glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, GLP-2 and growth hormone. Intestinal adaptation can facilitate weaning patients from parenteral nutrition and IV fluid support.12 However, this process is affected by several factors, including a patient’s clinical status and remnant anatomy.12, 13

Diagnosis

Presentation of typical signs and symptoms leading to suspicion of SBS may be confirmed by medical history and/or imaging to confirm bowel length as well as assessments of vitamin, nutrient, and electrolyte levels.14

Navigating SBS

Patients with SBS may experience complications related directly to the disease, as the result of fluid/electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition, and complications associated with parenteral nutrition.15 Along with physical limitations, SBS is associated with decreased health-related quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality in adult and pediatric patients.16-19

  1. de Dreuille B, Nuzzo A, Bataille J, et al. Nutrients. 2023;15:2448.
  2. Nakamura S, Wada M, Mizushima T, et al. Surg Today. 2023;53:347–359.
  3. Pape UF, Iyer KR, Jeppesen PB, et al. Ther Adv Gastroenterol. 2020;13:1756284820905766.
  4. Shakhsheer BA, Warner BW. Curr Treat Options Pediatr. 2019;5:494–505.
  5. Pironi L. Nutr Clin Pract. 2023;38 Suppl 1:S9–S16.
  6. Siddiqui MT, Al-Yaman W, Singh A, et al. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2021;45:1441–1455.
  7. O'Keefe SJ, Buchman AL, Fishbein TM, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;4:6–10.
  8. Thompson JS. Viszeralmedizin. 2014;30:174–178.
  9. Caporilli C, Gianni G, Grassi F, et al. Nutrients. 2023;15:2341.
  10. Le Beyec J, Billiauws L, Bado A, et al. Annu Rev Nutr. 2020;40:299–321.
  11. Rubin DC, Levin MS. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2016;30:237–248.
  12. Tappenden KA. Nutr Clin Pract. 2023;38 Suppl 1:S27–S34.
  13. Martin GR, Wallace LE, Hartmann B, et al. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005;288:G431–438.
  14. Boutte Jr HJ, Rubin DC. (2018). Short Bowel Syndrome. In: Bardan, E., Shaker, R. (eds) Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59352-4_31. 
  15. Pironi L. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2016;30:173–185.
  16. Pederiva F, Khalil B, Morabito A, et al. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2019;29:196–202.
  17. Sowerbutts AM, Panter C, Dickie G, et al. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2020;33:767–774.
  18. Spencer AU, Neaga A, West B, et al. Ann Surg. 2005;242:403-409.
  19. Winkler M, Tappenden K. Nutr Clin Pract. 2023;38 Suppl 1:S17–S26.

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Upcoming & Past Conferences in Gastroenterology

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Digestive Disease Week (DDW), 2025

May 3 - 6, 2025 | Link to Event

Global meeting for physicians, researchers, and industry in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery.

Gastroenterology & Hepatology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAPP), 2025

September 4 - 6, 2025 | Link to Event

Conference specifically designed by advanced practice providers (APPs) for the purpose of meeting the educational needs of APPs who specialize in the management of patients with GI disorders and chronic liver disease.

American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), 2025

October 24 - 29, 2025 | Link to Event

Premier event for clinicians and the general public about digestive disorders and the latest trends in GI technology and therapeutics.

North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN), 2025

November 5 - 8, 2025 | Link to Event

Annual forum for participants to learn about the latest advances in pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition, and to discuss current topics in clinical applications.

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), 2025

November 6 - 10, 2025 | Link to Event

Global meeting featuring thought leaders from around the world focused on advancing patient care in allergy and immunology.

Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (AIBD), 2025

December 8 - 10, 2025 | Link to Event

An all-encompassing event providing real-world clinical education, case studies and new evidence-based approaches in IBD management.

American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), 2025

March 22 - 25, 2025

Annual global conference for interdisciplinary, clinical nutrition leaders, providing the latest in clinical nutrition research, education, and products.

Annual Meeting American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), 2025

February 28 - March 3, 2025

Premier global educational event for allergists and immunologists, with thousands of attendees each year, discussing allergies, asthma, and immune deficiency disorders.

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European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), 2025

February 19 - 22, 2025

Annual global congress structured around basic science, traditional medicine and clinical sessions given by some of the world's top GI specialists.

Western Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (WSAAI), 2025

February 9 - 13, 2025

Annual scientific session uniting allergists, immunologists, nurses, and physician assistants aimed at maintaining the highest standard of practice in allergy care.

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World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (WCPGHAN), 2024

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Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR Europe), 2024

November 17 - 20, 2024

The conference program centers on the importance of scientific evidence in understanding and improving the health and well-being of people across the globe.

North American Society For Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition (NASPGHAN), 2024

November 6 - 9, 2024

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  • Real-World Effectiveness and Onset of Action of Vedolizumab as a First-Line Biologic in Biologic-Naïve Patients With Ulcerative Colitis
  • Identification of Moderate Disease Severity Definitions for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Review of Phase 3 Trials of Pharmacological Therapy

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  • Effect of budesonide oral suspension on dysphagia symptom resolution and time to first dysphagia symptom response in eosinophilic esophagitis: post hoc analysis of phase 2 and phase 3 trial placebo-controlled trials
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American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), 2024

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American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), 2024

October 12 - 15, 2024

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United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW), 2024

October 12 - 15, 2024

Global congress for researchers from around the world to present their findings on gastroenterology and digestive health.

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Pediatric Intestinal Failure and Rehabilitation Symposium (PIFRS), 2024

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  • Long-term Safety & Effectiveness of Teduglutide in Pediatric Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome-Associated Intestinal Failure: A Multicenter Registry

Gastroenterology and Hematology Advanced Practice Providers (GHAAP), 2024

September 12 - 14, 2024

Conference specifically designed by advanced practice providers (APPs) for the purpose of meeting the educational needs of APPs who specialize in the management of patients with GI disorders and chronic liver disease.

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  • Proactive Patient Engagement to Promote Representative Patient Populations for Future Trials of Dual Targeted Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Eohilia® (budesonide)

  • Safety of short-term therapy with budesonide oral suspension for eosinophilic esophagitis: an integrated analysis of phase 2 and 3 clinical studies

American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP), 2024

September 8 - 10, 2024

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clinical pharmacology

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European Society for Clinical Nutrition & Metabolism Congress (ESPEN), 2024

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Annual global congress dedicated to clinical nutrition and metabolism, including basic and clinical research, education, and organization of consensus statements about clinical care.

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  • Long-term Safety of Teduglutide in Paediatric Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome-Associated Intestinal Failure: an Observational, Prospective, Multicentre Registry
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  • Biologic Therapy Sequencing in Ulcerative Colitis: A Real-World Observational Study of Second-Line Therapy After Vedolizumab [encore].
  • Real-world clinical effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab and ustekinumab in biologic-naïve patients with Crohn's disease by disease location: Results from the EVOLVE Expansion study [encore].

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  • Safety of short-term therapy with budesonide oral suspension for eosinophilic esophagitis: an integrated safety analysis of four phase 1–3 clinical studies.

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  • Diagnostic journey of patients with chronic idiopathic constipation in the USA: analysis from a cross-sectional observational study.

Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), 2024

May 5 - 8, 2024

Leading global conference discussing how to establish, incentivize, and share value sustainable for health systems, patients, and technology developers.

Medication Resources

Gattex®

(teduglutide)