Biomedical subjects

Kok-Ann Gwee

Publications and source records attributed to Kok-Ann Gwee.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, are they different entities and does it matter?

A high prevalence of overlap between functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome has been consistently and universally reported. Recent studies demonstrating shared common pathophysiological disturbances including delayed gastric emptying and visceral hypersensitivity involving more than one region, suggest that these patients have a generalised rather than regional, disorder of the gut. Furthermore, a study of the natural history of dyspepsia suggests that with time, a substantial proportion will evolve into IBS. The recognition of IBS in dyspeptic patients has potentially profound therapeutic importance. It could help to reduce the risk of unnecessary cholecystectomy in IBS patients. The ability to appreciate the extent of involvement could allow us to address the disturbances more comprehensively, and thereby achieve greater patient satisfaction with their treatment.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2004

The prevalence, symptom characteristics, and impact of irritable bowel syndrome in an asian urban community.

OBJECTIVES: To study the epidemiology, symptom characteristics and impact of IBS in an urban Asian population. METHODS: A validated bowel symptom questionnaire was administered at face-to-face interviews to a random sample of 3,000 households in Singapore. RESULTS: The response rate was 78.2% (n = 2,276, 1,143 males and 1,133 females). The age, sex, and racial distribution of our respondents were similar to the general population and there was no significant difference between respondents and nonrespondents by type of household. The prevalence of IBS was 11.0%, 10.4%, and 8.6% by Manning (>1 criteria), Rome I and Rome II criteria, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of IBS in those <50 years of age (9.7%vs 5.8% 50 or > years, p = 0.002), with more than 6 years of education (9.8%vs 5.9% 6 year or <, p = 0.002) and living in landed property (16.8%vs 8.2% living in apartments and public housing, p = 0.008). There was no striking preponderance of female IBS subjects. Chronic constipation was a more common bowel disturbance than chronic diarrhea among our IBS subjects (51.0%vs 12.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and impact of IBS in our Asian urban society are greater than previously appreciated. We believe that our results provide a useful window to the future trends of gastrointestinal diseases for health and education authorities in developing Asian countries to look into.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) should be considered in patients who present with a change in bowel habits or an onset of new abdominal pain or discomfort following a recent confirmed or presumed exposure to infectious organisms, or in those who have recently returned from a tropical or developing country. In patients who are greatly distressed by their symptoms, an extended workup early in the course of their illness may give physician and patient confidence in focusing on IBS. The author favors a proactive, multicomponent approach to management, as it gives the physician and patient a sense of control. Treatment should include stress management, dietary advice to minimize exposure to trigger foods, and pharmacotherapy to alleviate anxiety and target disturbed physiology.

Journal Article↗