Showing papers in "BMJ Open Gastroenterology in 2014"

Faecal incontinence—the hidden scourge of irritable bowel syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Abstract: Objective: Faecal incontinence (FI) is a devastating condition which is well recognised in the elderly and those with certain conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. However, there is surprisingly little information on its prevalence in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially in relation to bowel habit subtype, and this study aimed to answer this question. Design: 500 consecutive new and follow-up secondary care IBS outpatients (399 female, 101 male, age range 15–87, mean age 46) fulfilling Rome III criteria without any significant concomitant disease were studied. They completed a series of questionnaires documenting FI, IBS severity, IBS subtype, non-colonic symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, depression and any other factors that might be associated with FI. Results: 285 patients (57%) reported FI, which was mild in 68 (23.9%), moderate in 99 (34.7%) and severe in 91 (31.9%) and in response to laxatives in 27 (9.5%) with an equal prevalence in males and females. The prevalence of FI in patients classified as having mild, moderate or severe IBS was 62%, 49.5% and 61%, respectively. The prevalence of incontinence was 65.2% in diarrhoea IBS, 63.7% in alternating IBS and, surprisingly, 37.9% in constipation IBS, where it was in response to laxatives in 35.8%. Compared to continent patients, those with FI had a significantly higher prevalence of urinary incontinence, previous abdominal surgery, pregnancy and vaginal as opposed to caesarean delivery. 23.3% had not disclosed their incontinence to anyone and only 50.6% had told their general practitioner. 66% always carried a change of clothes and 30% used incontinence pads on a regular basis. Conclusions: The prevalence of FI in these relatively young patients approached that observed in elderly care homes. Hopefully, recognition of this problem will lead to improved management and reduce the trivialisation that unfortunately still continues to surround this condition.

Efficacy and safety of a herbal medicinal product containing myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders: a non-interventional study.

Abstract: Objective This prospective observational postmarketing multicentre study was performed to collect data on the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of a licensed herbal combination of myrrh, coffee charcoal and chamomile extracts in patients with symptoms of acute diarrhoea. Material and methods Patients aged 12 years and above with symptoms of acute diarrhoea due to acute inflammatory disorders (AID) of the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were treated with the herbal preparation either as monotherapy, add-on therapy or with other therapies. The primary outcome parameter was the pre-post change of total mean symptom score. Secondary outcome parameters were changes of score of single symptoms, physician9s assessment of the clinical course and efficacy, and patient9s satisfaction. Results 1062 patients (mean age 43.2±17.8 years, range 12–89, 42.3% men) were included. A decrease of the overall mean total symptom score was observed in all treatment groups (monotreatment: 1.33±0.51 to 0.15±0.34, add-on treatment: 1.39±0.41 to 0.30±0.37, other therapy: 1.31±0.43 to 0.24±0.33). No significant differences between three treatment options were observed within AID and IBD groups. However, in the IBS group, monotreatment with the herbal preparation resulted in a significantly better outcome when compared to either add-on treatment (mean difference 0.140; 95% CI 0.036 to 0.245; p=0.009) or other therapy (mean difference 0.217; 95% CI 0.085 to 0.349; p=0.001). Secondary efficacy criteria showed comparable results between different treatment options in the respective disorder groups. Patient satisfaction was generally higher with monotreatment in the AID and IBS groups, while add-on treatment was preferred in the IBD group. Conclusions The combination of myrrh, coffee charcoal and chamomile flower extract is effective, well tolerated and safe for use in patients with symptoms of acute diarrhoea. The effects are comparable to conventional therapies used in routine care.

A pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a split-dose bowel preparation for inpatient colonoscopy: a single-center experience.

Abstract: Objectives Feasibility of using split-dose bowel preparation in an inpatient setting has not been extensively studied. We conducted a single-centre multiphase study to (1) understand the perceived barriers to split-dose administration among nursing and providers, (2) develop and implement a split-dose electronic order set and (3) evaluate the use and impact of split-dose administration on 100 consecutive colonoscopies. Methods Nurse/provider interviews were conducted to understand perceived concerns and potential barriers to split-dose preparation. Next, an order set containing specific nursing instructions was developed, disseminated and implemented into the electronic health record as the default order set for inpatient colonoscopies. Finally, 100 consecutive inpatients undergoing colonoscopy were interviewed to determine prep consumption, tolerability and rate of procedural delays due to inadequate preparation. Results Survey results indicated perceived concerns about inpatients’ ability to tolerate and complete the preparation, insufficient nursing support and complexity of preparation administration. Based on this, prep orders were adjusted to accommodate nursing concerns prior to implementation. 54% of inpatients actually completed the bowel preparation in split doses (SPLIT group); the remainder had the conventional full dose preparation (NON-SPLIT). Less procedural delay and a lower rate of additional laxatives use (13% vs 30.4%) were seen in the SPLIT versus NON-SPLIT group. Split-dose preparation was well tolerated among inpatients. Conclusions Split-dose bowel preparation can be implemented for inpatients undergoing colonoscopy. This multiphase study demonstrates the steps used to implement split-dose preparation at our institution and may provide others with strategies that they could use at their institutions.

Non-diarrhoeal increased frequency of bowel movements (IFoBM-ND): enterovirus association with the symptoms in children

Abstract: Objective Infectious and non-infectious causes are associated with increased frequency of bowel movements (IFoBM). But, a viral aetiology to non-diarrhoeal IFoBM (IFoBM-ND) has not been described. Owing to an accidental infection by an echovirus 19 strain, persistent diarrhoea-associated virus, isolated from a child with persistent diarrhoea, DCR experienced persistent IFoBM-ND with an urgency to pass apparently normal stools more than once each day for about 3 months. A follow-up study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of IFoBM-ND, and association of non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) with the symptom in infants from birth to 2 years. Design A cohort of 140 newborns was followed for 6 months to 2 years from birth for IFoBM-ND. Stool samples collected every 14 days were examined for NPEVs, rotavirus and other viral/bacterial agents for their possible association with IFoBM-ND and diarrhoea. Results Of 403 NPEV infection episodes among 4545 oral polio vaccine strains-negative stool samples, approximately 29% were associated with IFoBM-ND (15% acute and 14% persistent), including resolution of 74% of constipation episodes, and 18% with diarrhoea, suggesting that about 47% of NPEV infection episodes in children below 2 years of age are associated with gastrointestinal symptoms. About 83% of IFoBM-ND episodes are associated with the NPEV infection and 17% of the episodes are of unknown aetiology. Conclusions NPEV is the single most frequently detected viral agent in children with IFoBM-ND and its association with the symptom is highly significant, warranting detailed investigations on the role of NPEVs in gastrointestinal diseases.

Does long-term use of proton pump inhibitors cause hypomagnesaemia in Japanese outpatients?

Abstract: Aim Hypomagnesaemia has been reported associated with long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. However, there have been no studies in Japanese patients. We therefore assessed the effects of long-term PPI use on serum magnesium concentrations in Japanese patients. Methods Data from 481 outpatients who visited our centre in October and November 2011 were reviewed to determine their underlying diseases, oral medications, including PPIs, and serum magnesium concentrations. The association between PPI use and serum Mg concentrations was assessed by multiple linear regression analysis. Results Serum magnesium concentrations were significantly lower in PPI users (n=199) than in PPI non-users (n=282; 1.86±0.21 vs 1.91±0.19 mg/dL, p Conclusions Outpatients receiving long-term PPI treatment had significantly lower serum magnesium concentrations than those not treated with PPI. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show hypomagnesaemia in Japanese patients with cirrhosis receiving long-term PPI treatment.

The common prophylactic therapy for bowel surgery is ineffective for clearing Bacteroidetes, the primary inducers of systemic inflammation, and causes faster death in response to intestinal barrier damage in mice

Abstract: Introduction and objective The role of secreted gut microbial components in the initiation of systemic inflammation and consequences of antibiotic therapies on this inflammatory process are poorly elucidated. We investigate whether peripheral innate cells mount an inflammatory response to gut microbial components, the immune cells that are the primary drivers of systemic inflammation, the bacterial populations that are predominantly responsible, and whether perioperative antibiotics affect these processes. Method and experimental design Conditioned supernatants from gut microbes were used to stimulate murine innate cell types in vitro and in vivo , and proinflammatory responses were characterised. Effects of antibiotic therapies on these responses were investigated using a model of experimental intestinal barrier damage induced by dextran sodium sulfate. Results Proinflammatory responses in the periphery are generated by components of anaerobes from the Bacteroidetes phylotype and these responses are primarily produced by myeloid dendritic cells. We found that the common prophylactic therapy for sepsis (oral neomycin and metronidazole administered to patients the day prior to surgery) is ineffective for clearing Bacteroidetes from the murine intestine. A point of critical consequence of this result is the increased systemic inflammation and premature death observed in treated mice, and these outcomes appear to be independent of gut bacterial spread in the initial phase of intestinal barrier damage. Importantly, spillage of gut microbial products, rather than dissemination of gut microbes, may underlay the initiation of systemic inflammation leading to death. Conclusions Our data further affirm the importance of a balanced gut microflora biodiversity in host immune homeostasis and reinforce the notion that inadequate antibiotic therapy can have detrimental effects on overall immune system.

The morphological and immunohistochemical spectrum of gastric biopsies of patients with absorptive hypercalciuria

Abstract: Objective Idiopathic hypercalciuria is characterised by renal stone formation and vertebral osteoporosis. The syndrome displays high clinical variability with patients almost equally distributed between fasting or renal type (prevalent calcium loss) and absorptive type (prevalent increase of intestinal absorption). Absorptive hypercalciuria (AH) is characterised by hypersensitivity of calcium-sensing receptors of antral G cells with normal fasting gastrinaemia and meal hypergastrinaemia. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been published about the morphological aspects of gastric biopsies of patients with AH and the immunohistochemical findings of gastrin-producing G cells. So we studied morphologically and immunohistochemically a group of 38 patients with AH, describing their gastric findings and associated lesion. Design All 38 patients had a clinical-laboratory diagnosis of AH with normal fasting hypergastrinaemia and an abnormal rise of gastrinaemia after a standardised meal test. Their 38 antral and 27 body-fundus biopsies, and 5 normal antral and body controls, were stained with H&E, Giemsa stain, polyclonal antiserum anti-Gastrin and a monoclonal antibody anti-Chromogranin A. Results Antral biopsies of all 38 patients showed a simple (15) or linear (23) hyperplasia of G cells, whereas only 2 of 27 body biopsies showed a nodular hyperplasia of endocrine cells. In five patients with AH, we found an association with fundic gland polyps (FGPs). Conclusions We found in all of the patients with AH a correlation between meal hypergastrinaemia and morphological antral G-cell hyperplasia. Moreover, in five patients, AH was associated with FGPs. We know from literature data that FGPs’ development in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is statistically associated with hypergastrinaemia. From our present data, we suggest that even in AH the stimulated hypergastrinaemia may have a role in polyp development.

Novel host genetic variations associated with spontaneous clearance of a single-source outbreak of HCV1b infections

Abstract: Background and aims A total of 105 patients were identified as accidentally infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b (HCV1b) through blood transfusion from a single blood donor. This group provides a unique patient population to study host factors involved in the spontaneous clearance of HCV and disease progression. Methods Clinical markers, HCV RNA and eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin-28B (IL-28B) were detected. Exome capture and sequencing were analysed for association with HCV clearance. Results Among the 85 patients with the positive HCV antibody, 27 cases (31.8%) were HCV RNA negative over a period of 9–12 years. Of the 58 patients with positive HCV RNA, 22.4% developed chronic hepatitis, and 5.2% developed cirrhosis. Age was found to be associated with HCV1b clearance. IL-28 rs10853728 CC showed the trend. By exon sequencing, 39 SNPs were found to be significantly different in spontaneous clearance patients (p Conclusions Host genetic analyses on the unique, single source HCV1b-infected patient population has suggested that age and mutations in TNR, TMPRSS11A and SPINT2 genes may be factors associated with HCV clearance.

Advancing the science and practice of gastroenterology and hepatology

Abstract: It is my great pleasure and honour to introduce BMJ Open Gastroenterology , a new online, open access, peer-reviewed journal which will be dedicated to advancing the science and practice of gastroenterology and hepatology through the rapid publication of high-quality original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, endoscopic and technology reports, perspectives on all disciplines and therapeutic areas within the specialty. The creation of this journal represents a joint partnership of two great organisations with long-standing traditions of excellence in medicine, the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) and BMJ. Since 1840, when it was launched as the Provincial Medical and Surgical Journal , The BMJ has set a high standard as one of the leading authorities among medical journals, and has been distinguished for its record of ongoing innovation in medical publishing, and in fact, was the first general medical journal to enter the world wide web with the launch of bmj.com in May 1995. The BSG itself has remained a leading international specialty society within gastroenterology and hepatology, and has represented the academic and clinical home for British gastroenterologists since 1937. At a time …