Discrepancy between recalled and recorded bowel habits in irritable bowel syndrome

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 282ash;288

Summary

Background A discrepancy between recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes has been reported in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the reasons for it remain unclear. Aim To assess the agreement between recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes; to determine whether any discrepancy is related to stool form variability or psychological factors; and to test the correlations of recalled and recorded stool form with colonic transit time. Methods Bowel habit subtype was established in 54 IBS patients at the enrolment visit (recalled) and with the aid of diary cards (recorded). Colonic transit time, the variability of stool form and the patients’ psychological profiles were also recorded. Results Recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes agreed in only 54% of the patients (kappa = 0.28). Stool form variability was greater among the patients whose recalled and recorded bowel habit subtypes were discordant (P = 0.03), whereas the psychological profiles were not different. Colonic transit time significantly correlated with stool form only when it was recorded on diary cards. Conclusion The discrepancy between recalled and recorded bowel habits in IBS patients is related more to stool form variability than an altered psychological profile. Diary cards should be used to ensure that stool form reflects colonic transit time.     

炎症性肠病与肿瘤

癌变是炎症性肠病(IBD)最严重的并发症之一.IBD相关的肿瘤与散发性肿瘤的临床特点并不完全相同.重视相关危险凶素,凭借内镜新技术,IBD相关肿瘤的早期诊断将有助丁提高患者的牛活质量和牛存机会.为提高对IBD相关肿瘤的认识及重视,本文就IBD相关肿瘤的发病情况、临床特点及危险冈素等作一综述.     

Alosetron and irritable bowel syndrome

Alosetron (Lotronex^®, GlaxoSmithKline) is a potent and selective 5-HT₃-receptor antagonist approved by the FDA for the treatment of women with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in whom conventional therapy has failed. Studies involving healthy volunteers and IBS patients have demonstrated a beneficial effect of treatment with alosetron on global IBS symptoms, abdominal pain and discomfort, altered bowel function as well as improvement of quality of life (QOL). Data from animals studies suggest the involvement of 5-HT₃ receptors on intrinsic primary afferent neurons in the mediation of the effect of alosetron on gastrointestinal motility and secretion. While definitive proof of a visceroanalgesic action is not available, an additional central mechanism of action is suggested by findings obtained in animal models, as well as from human brain imaging studies. Alosetron shows a greater effectiveness in women, and the role of genetic factors underlying inter-individual differences in the response to alosetron is currently under investigation. The most frequent adverse event associated with the use of alosetron is constipation and in some rare cases, the development of colonic mucosal ischaemia. In the following review, the most recent reported effects of alosetron on gastrointestinal motility, visceral sensitivity and anxiety, both in terms of preclinical and clinical data will be discussed. The impact of alosetron on QOL in IBS patients and the safety of treatment with alosetron, will also be covered.     

Iron and inflammatory bowel disease

Both anaemia of iron deficiency and anaemia of chronic disease are frequently encountered in inflammatory bowel disease. Anaemia of iron deficiency is mostly due to inadequate intake or loss of iron. Anaemia of chronic disease probably results from decreased erythropoiesis, secondary to increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen metabolites and nitric oxide. Assessment of the iron status in a condition associated with inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease, is difficult. The combination of serum transferrin receptor with ferritin concentrations, however, allows a reliable assessment of the iron deficit. The best treatment for anaemia of chronic disease is the cure of the underlying disease. Erythropoietin reportedly may increase haemoglobin levels in some of these patients. The anaemia of iron deficiency is usually treated with oral iron supplements. Iron supplementation may lead to an increased inflammatory activity through the generation of reactive oxygen species. To date, data from studies in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease support the theoretical disadvantage of iron supplementation in this respect. The results, however, cannot easily be extrapolated to the human situation, because the amount of supplemented iron in these experiments was much higher than the dose used in patients with iron deficiency.     

Alosetron and irritable bowel syndrome

Alosetron (Lotronex, GlaxoSmithKline) is a potent and selective 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonist approved by the FDA for the treatment of women with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in whom conventional therapy has failed. Studies involving healthy volunteers and IBS patients have demonstrated a beneficial effect of treatment with alosetron on global IBS symptoms, abdominal pain and discomfort, altered bowel function as well as improvement of quality of life (QOL). Data from animals studies suggest the involvement of 5-HT(3) receptors on intrinsic primary afferent neurons in the mediation of the effect of alosetron on gastrointestinal motility and secretion. While definitive proof of a visceroanalgesic action is not available, an additional central mechanism of action is suggested by findings obtained in animal models, as well as from human brain imaging studies. Alosetron shows a greater effectiveness in women, and the role of genetic factors underlying inter-individual differences in the response to alosetron is currently under investigation. The most frequent adverse event associated with the use of alosetron is constipation and in some rare cases, the development of colonic mucosal ischaemia. In the following review, the most recent reported effects of alosetron on gastrointestinal motility, visceral sensitivity and anxiety, both in terms of preclinical and clinical data will be discussed. The impact of alosetron on QOL in IBS patients and the safety of treatment with alosetron, will also be covered.     

Mebeverine alters small bowel motility in irritable bowel syndrome

Background and Aim : Despite its widespread use in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), limited clinical data exist on the effects of mebeverine hydrochloride on gastrointestinal motility. Human motor activity in the small bowel is more reproducible than that in the large bowel; therefore the aim of this study was to determine in the small bowel the effects of oral mebeverine in both IBS patients and in healthy controls.
Methods : Twelve IBS patients (11 females/ 1 male, 46±13 years old)—predominant constipation (IBS-C, n =6) and predominant diarrhoea (IBS-D, n =6)—and six healthy controls, underwent continuous 48 h ambulant recording of small bowel motor activity. One low energy (400 kcal) and one high energy (800 kcal) standard meal were administered in each consecutive 24-h period. Subjects received, in blinded fashion, placebo tablets in the first 24 h then mebeverine 135 mg q.d.s. in the second 24 h.
Results : Mebeverine had no effect on parameters of small bowel motility in controls. In contrast, in both IBS-C ( P =0.01) and IBS-D ( P <0.05) patients, phase 2 motility index was increased during mebeverine administration. Also, after mebeverine the proportion of the migrating motor complex cycle occupied by phase 2 was reduced in IBS-D ( P =0.01), while phase 2 burst frequency was reduced in IBS-C ( P <0.05). For phase 3 motor activity in IBS-C patients, the propagation velocity was decreased ( P <0.01), and the duration increased ( P <0.01).
Conclusions : These findings suggest that mebeverine, in the initial dosing period, has a normalizing effect in the small bowel in IBS, enhancing contractile activity in a similar fashion to 'prokinetic' agents, as well as producing alterations in motor activity consistent with an 'antispasmodic' effect.     

Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors and inflammatory bowel disease: emerging therapies in inflammatory bowel disease

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are common, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) characterized by episodes of life-altering symptoms such as diarrhea, bleeding, fecal urgency and incontinence, abdominal pain and cramps, and fever lasting weeks to months at a time. Existing treatments are 5-aminosalicyclates or immunosuppressants, but long-term control of IBD is a major problem for a large number of patients. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a key enzyme in cell homeostasis and inflammation and its inhibition has been useful in diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. This review focuses on the role of oxidative stress in IBD and the PDE4 inhibitor OPC-6535 (tetomilast), an investigational agent for the treatment of UC. The authors detail the clinical development of the compound and report and provide insight into some of the unpublished data from the recently completed multicenter Phase III trials in UC.     

Neuro-immune interactions in inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome: future therapeutic targets

The gastro-intestinal tract is well known for its largest neural network outside the central nervous system and for the most extensive immune system in the body. Research in neurogastroenterology implicates the involvement of both enteric nervous system and immune system in symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Since both disorders are associated with increased immune cell numbers, nerve growth and activation of both immune cells and nerves, we focus in this review on the involvement of immune cell–nerve interactions in inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Firstly, the possible effects of enteric nerves, especially of the nonadrenergic and noncholinergic nerves, on the intestinal immune system and their possible role in the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases are described. Secondly, the possible effects of immunological factors, from the innate (chemokines and Toll-like receptors) as well as the adaptive (cytokines and immunoglobulins) immune system, on gastro-intestinal nerves and its potential role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome are reviewed. Investigations of receptor-mediated and intracellular signal pathways in neuro-immune interactions might help to develop more effective therapeutic approaches for chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases.     

小肠缺血性肠病的多层螺旋CT表现

目的 探讨小肠缺血性肠病的多层螺旋CT表现,为临床诊断工作提供参考依据.方法 随机抽取2010年1月～2012年12月本院收治的小肠缺血性肠病患者24例,对其行多层螺旋CT检查,并回顾性分析患者的临床资料及CT检查结果.结果 经CT检查,24例患者中发生肠壁增厚者20例,分层强化呈靶征者18例,肠壁菲薄、无强化者3例,肠腔扩张、存在积液与积气征象者18例,肠系膜浑浊者19例.结论 采用多层螺旋CT对小肠缺血性肠病患者进行检查,能够对肠壁病变、肠系膜缺血、肠系膜血管异常进行诊断,对于疾病的诊治具有重要意义.     

Large bowel problems

Some large bowel disorders are common to all age groups, others are commoner in the elderly. Colonic function is complex and not fully understood. Diarrhoeal states tend to cause faecal incontinence in the elderly and constipation is commoner in immobile institutionalised elderly patients. Two types of constipation have been identified requiring different approaches in treatment. The management of constipation includes the treatment of the underlying cause and the clearing of the bowel using enemas and suppositories given rectally and laxatives given orally. The neurological causes of faecal incontinence may be local or more commonly cortical. Deliberate constipation and planned evacuation of the rectum may help to reduce the frequency of faecal incontinence. The management of diverticular disease centres around fibre and bulking agents. The treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease is similar to that in younger patients.     

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disease of unclear, complex pathophysiology characterised by abdominal pain and discomfort and altered bowel activity. It affects an estimated 10-15% of individuals worldwide and has a large impact on quality of life (QOL) and both direct and indirect healthcare costs. Symptoms of IBS are usually triggered by disruption of gastrointestinal (GI) function secondary to infection, dietary factors, lifestyle changes or psychological stress. While most currently available pharmacological treatments of IBS focus on symptomatic treatment of the syndrome, agents that attempt to address the pathophysiology of the disease, in particular the role of serotonin, have received much attention in recent years. However, there is growing concern that serotonergic agents as a class may be associated with rare, but serious, episodes of ischaemic colitis, with several cases of this complication having been reported in association with use of serotonergic agents that have reached the market. Thus, there remains an important need for safe and effective agents that treat the symptoms of IBS. Otilonium bromide, a spasmolytic agent, has been widely used worldwide and has been found to be effective and safe for managing abdominal pain. Clinical trials indicate that it improves baseline abdominal pain and distension, and is particularly effective in reducing diarrhoea. Combining otilonium bromide with benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, may improve the efficacy of the agent with respect to GI symptoms, while also treating underlying anxiety disorders. More research is required to confirm the efficacy and mechanisms of action associated with this combination therapy in IBS. Safety data from clinical trials and postmarketing sources indicate that otilonium bromide is well tolerated, with a safety profile comparable to placebo in clinical trials and only two reported cases of adverse reactions (urticaria) among 10-year postmarketing data. This article reviews the pathophysiology and treatment of IBS with a particular focus on the role of otilonium bromide in the management of this condition.     

肠道微生态与炎症性肠病

炎症性肠病(inflammatory bowel disease,IBD)是一组病因未明、发病机制亦不明确的慢性肠道炎症性疾病,主要包括克罗恩病(Crohn's disease,CD)和溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)。近几十年的研究结果认为,其发病是环境、易感基因和肠道微生态3个要素相互作用的结果,且这些要素使IBD成为一种适合研究宿主与肠道微生物相互作用的高优先平台。最近,肠道菌群的图谱分析将IBD的发病机制与菌群各组成部分特征的改变相联系,进一步支持"肠道微生物和宿主相互作用的改变能形成IBD"这一观点。该文回顾性分析有关IBD患者体内微生物的研究文献,综述肠道微生态失衡对IBD的多方面影响,以动物模型和临床验证资料阐述不同的治疗方法改善肠道微生态变化的最新进展。