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At least 307 records · Page 17Linked to original sources

Anismus: a marker of multi-site functional disorders?

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to assess the clinical significance of anismus in patients who complain of constipation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty control subjects and 93 consecutive patients complaining of functional constipation took part in the study. Colonic transit time study and anorectal manometry were performed. Questions about depression and urinary and sexual diseases were added to a questionnaire based on the Rome II criteria, and visual analog scales about four items (constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and abdominal pain). RESULTS: Constipated patients have lower threshold sensation volume, lower constant sensation volume, and lower maximum tolerable volume than controls. Thirty-seven patients (40%) were found to have anismus, based on anorectal manometry. No significant difference was found between constipated patients with anismus and constipated patients without anismus, using anorectal manometry. Constipated patients had longer colorectal transit time than controls, but neither total nor segmental colonic transit time was correlated with the presence or absence of anismus. In patients with anismus, a higher frequency of oesophageal symptoms, dysmotility-like dyspepsia, aerophagia, functional bowel disorders, functional abdominal pain, soiling, and dyschezia was found. In addition, a higher frequency of urinary complaints, sexual complaints, and depression was found. Anismus was associated with increased awareness of constipation, abdominal bloating, and abdominal pain, but not with diarrhoea.

Abdominal Pain↗

Pharmacology and clinical experience with fedotozine.

Fedotozine [(1R)-1-phenyl-1-[(3,4,5-trimethoxy)benzyloxymethyl]-N,N- dimethyl-n-propylamine, (2S,3S-tartrate] is derived from the arylacetamide series. As with other compounds of this series, fedotozine is more or less selective of kappa(1)-opioid receptors and particularly for the kappa(1a)-receptor subtype, where it acts as an agonist. Pharmacological studies have shown that fedotozine exerts a peripheral antinociceptive action, comparable with that of other kappa-agonists. Its main effects have been demonstrated at the level of the afferent nerve pathways originating from the gut. Fedotozine alters the processing of visceral sensations along these pathways and hence, the perception of gut stimuli at the brain level. It modifies reflexes induced in various pathological conditions, like experimental inflammation of the gut, chemically-induced peritonitis or post-operative ileus. Fedotozine also decreases the nociceptive reflexes triggered by noxious gut distension in animals. In humans, fedotozine decreases the perception of gut distension, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Clinical trials undertaken in patients with functional digestive disorders, non-ulcer dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome, have shown that fedotozine relieves abdominal pain in these patients in 6-week treatments. kappa-Opioid receptors remain an interesting area for future development of new treatments for abdominal pain in patients with functional digestive disorders.

Animals↗

The role of serotonin in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome.

Coordinated activities of the central, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems modulate intestinal motor, sensory, and secretory activities that may contribute to the triad of dysfunction (altered motility, altered sensation, and psychosocial distress) observed in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Autonomic modulation of gastrointestinal (GI) function occurs via the actions of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators such as serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT), norepinephrine, and dopamine. Of those modulators, serotonin has received the most attention with respect to disorders of GI function. Serotonin exerts its effects via neurocrine, paracrine, and endocrine pathways. Recent studies have demonstrated that serotonin, acting primarily through 5-HT3 and 5-HT4 receptors, is intricately involved in initiating the peristaltic reflex and facilitating intraluminal secretions. Serotonin receptors mediate reflex control of GI motility and secretion and may influence the perception of bowel function and pain under some circumstances. GI motor activity and sensory dysfunction in patients with IBS may be a result of alterations in serotonin levels or associated 5-HT receptors. Serotonin agonists and antagonists such as tegaserod, a 5-HT4 agonist, may offer new treatments that normalize GI motor and sensory functions in patients with disorders of GI function.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

The colonic air insufflation test indicates a colonic cause of abdominal pain. An aid in the management of irritable bowel syndrome.

We evaluated a standardized colonic air insufflation test in patients investigated for abdominal pain; 195 patients were evaluable. Of 164 patients with functional abdominal pain, 100 of the 128 (78%) with irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed on the basis of two or more Manning criteria (group A) had positive tests, compared with 19 of the 36 (53%) with functional abdominal pain not satisfying the diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (group B). Eight of the 10 patients (80%) with structural colonic disease had positive tests (group C), and 3 of the 21 patients (14%) with structural noncolonic causes of abdominal pain (group D) had positive tests (group A vs. B, A vs. D, and C vs. D, p < 0.01). The air insufflation test had a sensitivity of 78% for the diagnosis of colonic pain and a specificity of 61%. The positive predictive value was 83% and the negative predictive value 54%. Sequential tests by two independent observers on 26 consecutive patients showed no interobserrer variation. The colonic air insufflation test warrants further evaluation as an adjunct to the Manning criteria in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. It can also serve as an investigative tool to define a subset of patients with functional abdominal pain who do not fulfill the current criteria for irritable bowel syndrome yet whose pain actually originates from the colon.

Abdominal Pain↗

Irritable bowel syndrome.

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is very common in the community. Psychosocial factors other than the gut symptoms themselves may contribute to the decision of a few to seek medical care. Examination of these not only suggests that the manifestation of symptoms is multifactorial, but also offers clues for management of individuals. There is evidence for both physical and psychological contributions to IBS symptoms and both together may induce illness behavior. In some, many factors may be present, in others apparently none, but the more factors at work, the more complex the treatment. Management should take advantage of the known features of the disease. Its prevalence, recognizable symptoms, and benign nature underpin the reassurance value of a positive diagnosis. Psychopathology or antecedent stressful life events may indicate psychological treatments. Although drugs are unproved in the global treatment of IBS, certain agents may benefit specific symptoms and use the placebo response to advantage. Patients having more difficulty treating symptoms need continuing care. A graded response to IBS complaints implies reassurance and drug-free management in primary care, with increments of psychosocial support, psychotherapy, and the specific use of drugs in nonresponders. The goal for intractable cases should be improved functioning rather than cure.

Colonic Diseases, Functional↗

Functional diarrhoea.

Functional diarrhoea remains an elusive and a difficult condition to diagnose and treat; however, with careful history-taking a logical approach to management can be made. Each patient must be considered individually and sub-classification should be attempted. It is very important to rule out organic disease. Unfortunately treatment remains empirical in the majority of cases, but more is now known about functional disorders and there is hope for the future.

Anxiety↗

The recognition and treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome.

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain and/or altered bowel habit in the absence of detectable organic bowel disease. By convention, people with simple constipation are not usually included in this group of patients. IBS is a symptom-complex with many synonyms such as irritable colon, functional bowel disorder, nervous diarrhoea or spastic colon.

Adult↗

Effect of wheat bran on weight of stool and gastrointestinal transit time: a meta analysis.

Twenty original papers that reported on the effect of wheat bran on large bowel function were analysed. Bran increased the stool weight and decreased the transit time in each study in healthy controls and in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome, with diverticula, and with chronic constipation. Statistical evaluation of the data showed, however, that constipated patients had lower stool output and slower transit whether or not they had taken bran, and they responded less well to bran treatment than controls. From these data it is concluded that bran can be expected to be only partially effective in restoring normal stool weight and transit time in patients who are constipated.

Colonic Diseases, Functional↗

[Diagnostic endoscopic assessment of the irritable colon syndrome (author's transl)].

The diagnosis of irritable colon was found in about 50% of 227 patients who showed increased colonic contractions at colonoscopy. In 1240 patients without unusual motility of the colon during colonoscopy this diagnosis was made only in every twelfth case. Increased contractions of the colon observed during colonoscopy are thus a symptom of the irritable colon. When clinical complaints are taken into account this symptom has a diagnostic value of 90%. However, it is not pathognomonic for functional intestinal complaints as it does not occur in all patients with irritable colon and it can also be demonstrated in patients without evidence of functional gastrointestinal problems.

Colonic Diseases, Functional↗

[Epidemiology of intestinal functional disorders].

On the basis of 4 adult population samples subsequently gathered into one sample of 567 healthy subjects, we determined: (1) the annual prevalence of symptoms suggestive of intestinal functional disorders (30.5 per cent); (2) the elements which prompted subjects with symptoms to request medical attention (we found that the request was significantly correlated with the duration of pain, the intensity and chronicity of constipation, the number of symptoms and the triggering of disorders by stress), and (3) an estimate of the "cost" of intestinal functional disorders.

Adult↗