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

  • Upcoming

  • Past

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

November 17 - 20, 2024 | Link to Event

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

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

December 4 - 7, 2024 | 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.

Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (AIBD), 2024

December 9 - 11, 2024 | Link to Event

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

Crohn's & Colitis Congress (CCC), 2025

February 6 - 8, 2025 | Link to Event

Annual conference for a multidisciplinary community of practitioners and researchers focusing on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by pairing best practices in clinical care with innovative research.

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

February 19 - 22, 2025 | Link to Event

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

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

February 28 - March 3, 2025 | Link to Event

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

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

March 22 - 25, 2025 | Link to Event

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

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.

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

November 6 - 9, 2024

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 Gastroenterology (ACG), 2024

October 25 - 30, 2024

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

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), 2024

October 24 - 28, 2024

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

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus (AMCP Nexus), 2024

October 14 - 17, 2024

Annual event with more than 2,500 members and non-members of the AMCP to engage on the latest innovations and most intentional networking in managed care pharmacy.

American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP), 2024

October 12 - 15, 2024

Annual event dedicated to excellence in clinical pharmacy practice, research, and education.

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.

Pediatric Intestinal Failure and Rehabilitation Symposium (PIFRS), 2024

September 26 - 28, 2024

Global meeting designed to bring together international and national experts in the multidisciplinary care of the intestinal failure patient.

Gattex® (teduglutide)

  • Long-term Use of Teduglutide in Children with Short Bowel Syndrome: A Multi-Center Post-Marketing Cohort Study
  • 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.

Entyvio® (vedolizumab)

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

Eohilia® (budensonide)

  • Safety of Short-Term Therapy with Budesonide Oral Suspension for Eosinophilic Esophagitis: an Integrated Safety Analysis of Phase 2 and 3 Clinical Studies

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

September 7 - 10, 2024

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

Gattex® (teduglutide)

  • Long-term Safety of Teduglutide in Paediatric Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome-Associated Intestinal Failure: an Observational, Prospective, Multicentre Registry
  • Long-term Effectiveness of Teduglutide in Paediatric Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome-Associated Intestinal Failure: an Observational, Prospective, Multicentre Registry

Digestive Disease Week (DDW), 2024

May 18 - 21, 2024

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

Gattex® (teduglutide)

  • Short bowel syndrome patient experience: a mixed-method study leveraging Inspire, an online community platform.

Entyvio® (vedolizumab)

  • Proactive patient engagement to promote representative patient populations for future trials of dual targeted therapies in inflammatory bowel diseases.
  • Machine Learning-Based Precision Medicine Approach Identifies Specific Responder Sub-Populations in the Vedolizumab treated patients by Dynamic Clustering of PRO Data: Post Hoc Analysis of VARSITY and GEMINI Dataset.
  • 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].
  • Disease Clearance After 16 Weeks of Treatment With Vedolizumab in Patients With Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis: An Interim Analysis From the VERDICT Trial [encore].

Eohilia® (budensonide)

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

Motegrity® (prucalopride)

  • 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.

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), 2024

April 15 - 18, 2024

Large assembly of pharmacy and healthcare professionals dedicated to the issues of managed care pharmacy, offering immersive education sessions and keynote presentations.

Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease (CURED), 2024

April 4 - 7, 2024

International meeting concerning the field of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders, including EoE and other eosinophilic diseases.

Eohilia® (budensonide)

  • Improved histopathologic features in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis: data from a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of budesonide oral suspension

American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), 2024

March 2 - 5, 2024

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), 2024

February 23 - 26, 2024

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

European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation

February 21 - 24, 2024

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

Crohn's & Colitis Congress (CCC), 2024

January 25 - 25, 2024

Annual conference for a multidisciplinary community of practitioners and researchers focusing on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by pairing best practices in clinical care with innovative research.

Advances in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (AIBD), 2023

December 14 - 16, 2023

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

Entyvio® (vedolizumab)

  • Biologic Therapy Sequencing in Ulcerative Colitis: A Real-World Observational Study of Second-Line Therapy After Vedolizumab

Medication Resources

Gattex®

(teduglutide)