Psychosocial factors in functional gastrointestinal disorders: an evolving phenomenon

Abstract  The psychosocial aspect of functional gastrointestinal disorders have a long and complicated investigative history. Emerging from the 1930s when the observations of individual investigators and clinicians was the norm we have evolved in the last 25 years to an increasingly sophisticated era of scientific observation using standardized nosology, validated psychometric instruments and have made use of emerging technology such as brain imaging, barostat testing and other technologies. The application of the scientific method to help improve out understanding of the relationship of psychosocial factors as they relate to gastrointestinal illnesses is slowly but surely revolutionizing gastroenterology practice. It is the purpose of this paper to review the history of "Psychosomatic Gastroenterology" to review the dimensions of psychosocial factors as they relate to gastroenterology and to review the emerging technologies which are helping us to develop this knowledge. Finally we will attempt to speculate on where the field will be going in the future.     

Treatment of gastroparesis: a multidisciplinary clinical review

This clinical review on the treatment of patients with gastroparesis is a consensus document developed by the American Motility Society Task Force on Gastroparesis. It is a multidisciplinary effort with input from gastroenterologists and other specialists who are involved in the care of patients with gastroparesis. To provide practical guidelines for treatment, this document covers results of published research studies in the literature and areas developed by consensus agreement where clinical research trials remain lacking in the field of gastroparesis.     

Cyclic vomiting syndrome in adults

Abstract  Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) was initially described in children but can occur in all age groups. Cyclic vomiting syndrome is increasingly recognized in adults. However, the lack of awareness of CVS in adults has led to small numbers of diagnosed patients and a paucity of published data on the causes, diagnosis and management of CVS in adults. This article is a state-of-knowledge overview on CVS in adults and is intended to provide a framework for management and further investigations into CVS in adults.