A meta-analysis showed that 10% of IBS patients with symptoms predisposing to diarrhea (IBS-D) had severe bile acid malabsorption, with a maintenance rate of <5% at 7 days. A recent survey in the UK found that bile acid diarrhea was the cause of nearly one in four IBS patients referred to a second-line healthcare facility with diarrhea.

Bile is a yellow-green liquid produced by the liver that is stored in the gallbladder. It is essential for the digestion and breakdown of fats into smaller parts called fatty acids that can be absorbed easily by the digestive tract.