Fecal microbiota transplantation for managing irritable bowel syndrome

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a widespread gastrointestinal disorder affecting 11.2% of the world adult population. The intestinal microbiome is thought to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of IBS. The composition of the fecal microbiome in IBS patients differs from that in healthy individuals, but the exact bacteria species involved in the development of IBS remain to be determined. There is also an imbalance between useful and harmful bacteria (dysbiosis) in the intestinal microbiome in patients with IBS. Consuming prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics has a limited effect on IBS symptoms. In contrast, fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) in IBS patients reverses the dysbiosis to normobiosis and reduces the IBS symptoms in about 70% of patients, and is not associated with any serious adverse events.

Area covered: The available data on the microbiome and FMT in IBS regarding the efficacy of FMT in managing IBS were found using a PubMed search of these topics.

Expert commentary: FMT is a promising tool for managing irritable syndrome. It appears to be effective, easy, and inexpensive procedure. However, more controlled studies involving larger cohorts of IBS are needed before FMT can be used as a routine procedure in the clinic.     

Global research trends in the microbiome related to irritable bowel syndrome: A bibliometric and visualized study

BACKGROUNDIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder. Dysregulation of the gut–brain axis plays a central role in the pathophysiology of IBS. It is increasingly clear that the microbiome plays a key role in the development and normal functioning of the gut–brain axis.AIMTo facilitate the identification of specific areas of focus that may be of relevance to future research. This study represents a bibliometric analysis of the literature pertaining to the microbiome in IBS to understand the development of this field. METHODSThe data used in our bibliometric analysis were retrieved from the Scopus database. The terms related to IBS and microbiome were searched in titles or abstracts within the period of 2000–2019. VOSviewer software was used for data visualization. RESULTSA total of 13055 documents related to IBS were retrieved at the global level. There were 1872 scientific publications focused on the microbiome in IBS. There was a strong positive correlation between publication productivity related to IBS in all fields and productivity related to the microbiome in IBS (r = 0.951, P < 0.001). The United States was the most prolific country with 449 (24%) publications, followed by the United Kingdom (n = 176, 9.4%), China (n = 154, 8.2%), and Italy (n = 151, 8.1%). The h-index for all retrieved publications related to the microbiome in IBS was 138. The hot topics were stratified into four clusters: (1) The gut–brain axis related to IBS; (2) Clinical trials related to IBS and the microbiome; (3) Drug-mediated manipulation of the gut microbiome; and (4) The role of the altered composition of intestinal microbiota in IBS prevention. CONCLUSIONThis is the first study to evaluate and quantify global research productivity pertaining to the microbiome in IBS. The number of publications regarding the gut microbiota in IBS has continuously grown since 2013. This finding suggests that the future outlook for interventions targeting the gut microbiota in IBS remains promising.     

Correlation between antibiotic use in childhood and subsequent inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Antibiotic use leads to a cascade of inflammatory reaction in the gastrointestinal tract due to its association with a temporary disruption of human microbiome.

Objectives: To explore the undetermined correlation between antibiotic use in childhood and subsequent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: PUBMED, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify related articles. We extracted and pooled the (adjusted) odds ratio (OR) and (adjusted) risk ratio (RR).

Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 11 studies. The pooled OR of all 11 studies was 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22–1.85). The pooled ORs of the subsequent Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis after antibiotic use in childhood were 1.59 (95% CI: 1.06–2.4) and 1.22 (95% CI: 0.82–1.8). The sensitivity analysis showed no change. The meta-regression showed there was not statistical significance for the publication year, research area and research methods. Egger’s test showed publication bias in the IBD studies (p = .006 < .05) but no publication bias for the CD (p = .275>.05) and UC studies (p = .537>.05).

Conclusions: There was a positive association between antibiotic use in childhood and the subsequently risk of Crohn’s disease in non-European countries in the west during 2010–2013. Children in the United States taking antibiotics will have a higher risk of subsequently IBD than Europe, Asia and Australia.

Registration number: CRD42019147648 (PROSPERO)     

Radiation exposure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the years 2001–2011

Objectives: To compare cumulative ionizing radiation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the years 2001–2011. To study how radiation exposure change over time in patients with newly diagnosed IBD and factors associated with radiation exposure.

Material and methods: All radiological investigations performed between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2011 were retrospectively recorded in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) (n?=?103), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n?=?304) and IBS (n?=?149). Analyses were done with Mann–Whitney and Chi-Square test.

Results: The median total cumulative radiation exposure in mSv for CD (20.0, inter quartile range (IQR) 34.8), UC (7.01, IQR 23.8), IBS (2.71, IQR 9.15) and the proportion of patients who had been exposed for more than 50 mSv during the study period (CD 19%, UC 11%, IBS 3%) were significantly higher in the patients with CD compared to patients with UC (p?<?.001) and IBS (p?<?.001), respectively. In turn, patients with UC had significantly higher doses than patients with IBS (p?=?.005). Risk factors for radiation exposure were female gender (CD), early onset (UC), ileocolonic location (CD), previous surgery (CD and UC), depression (IBS) and widespread pain (IBS). In newly diagnosed CD, there was a significant decline in median cumulative radiation dose in mSv (17.2 vs. 12.0; p?=?.048) during the study period.

Conclusions: Patients with CD are at greatest risk for high cumulative radiation exposure, but there is a decline in exposure during the late 2000s. Non-colectomized patients with UC and patients with IBS have a relatively low risk of cumulative radiation exposure.     

Association of irritable bowel syndrome and venous thromboembolism

Objective: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Whether functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are associated with VTE has not been determined. This nationwide study aimed to determine the risk of VTE in IBS outpatients in primary and specialist care.

Design: We performed two matched case-control studies. Cases (n?=?90,502) were individuals in Sweden aged 18–80 years with a first hospital diagnosis of VTE between 2001 and 2010. Five controls (n?=?452,510) from the Swedish Total Population Register were matched to each case for birth, sex, country of birth, and education level. Diagnosis of IBS was determined in the Swedish hospital outpatient register. This procedure was replicated for the primary care population. As the Primary Care data did not have nationwide coverage, we only included individuals that were registered in the Primary Care database. A total of 9766 cases of hospital diagnosed VTE individuals could be found in the Primary Care population and they were matched to 48,830 controls also from the Primary health care population. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine odds ratio (OR) for first VTE diagnosis.

Results The adjusted OR for VTE when IBS was diagnosed in hospital outpatient care was 1.49 (95% confidence interval 1.33–1.67). The crude OR for VTE was 1.18 (0.94–1.48) when IBS was diagnosed in primary care.

Conclusions: This is the first study describing an association between VTE and IBS. The results suggest that specialist treated IBS patients have increased risk of VTE.     

Irritable bowel syndrome: a review of the general aspects and the potential role of vitamin D

Introduction: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a bowel disorder leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, modifications in the motility and bowel habits, distention, bloating, and gas. Vitamin D (VD) may interfere in a plethora of cellular mechanisms, and act directly or indirectly in the regulation of the microbiome, the release of anti-microbial peptides, modulation of the immune system and inflammation processes; which in turn, may positively interfere with the altered gut function. The main purpose of this review was to survey studies involving the impacts of VD on IBS.

Area covered: Eligible studies including the term VD and IBS were searched in the MEDLINE–PubMed and EMBASE (2009–2018). VD may act direct or indirectly in the regulation of the gut microbiome, immune response, and psychosocial factors that may be included in the list of IBS triggering factors.

Expert opinion: Once VD plays an essential role in many processes associated with IBS, its deficiency may be associated with IBS, and the supplementation could help in the therapeutic approach for this condition. For these reasons, the understanding of the association of VD in IBS is indispensable for the development of new strategies that could improve the quality of life of the patient.     

The microbiome of the oral mucosa in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a poorly understood disorder characterized by persistent symptoms, including visceral pain. Studies have demonstrated oral microbiome differences in inflammatory bowel diseases suggesting the potential of the oral microbiome in the study of non-oral conditions.

In this exploratory study we examine whether differences exist in the oral microbiome of IBS participants and healthy controls, and whether the oral microbiome relates to symptom severity.

The oral buccal mucosal microbiome of 38 participants was characterized using PhyloChip microarrays. The severity of visceral pain was assessed by orally administering a gastrointestinal test solution. Participants self-reported their induced visceral pain. Pain severity was highest in IBS participants (P = 0.0002), particularly IBS-overweight participants (P = 0.02), and was robustly correlated to the abundance of 60 OTUs, 4 genera, 5 families and 4 orders of bacteria (r² > 0.4, P < 0.001). IBS-overweight participants showed decreased richness in the phylum Bacteroidetes (P = 0.007) and the genus Bacillus (P = 0.008). Analysis of β-diversity found significant separation of the IBS-overweight group (P < 0.05). Our oral microbial results are concordant with described fecal and colonic microbiome-IBS and -weight associations. Having IBS and being overweight, rather than IBS-subtypes, was the most important factor in describing the severity of visceral pain and variation in the microbiome. Pain severity was strongly correlated to the abundance of many taxa, suggesting the potential of the oral microbiome in diagnosis and patient phenotyping. The oral microbiome has potential as a source of microbial information in IBS.     

Factors associated with poor therapeutic response in outpatients with irritable bowel syndrome: a multicenter study in Japan

Background

Some patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) show poor response to treatment. However, risk factors associated with poor therapeutic response have not been determined.

Methods

This multicenter trial evaluated consecutive outpatients with IBS undergoing treatment for more than 1 month. Mental health status and physical function were evaluated using the Japanese version of the SF-8. Therapeutic response was evaluated using the IBS severity index-Japanese version (IBS-SIJ). Patients with IBS-SIJ scores ≥175 were defined as poor responders to treatment, whereas those with IBS-SIJ scores <175 were defined as good responders. The demographic and clinical characteristics of these two groups, along with medications, were compared.

Results

The study enrolled 131 participants, 75 with IBS-SIJ scores ≥175–56 with IBS-SIJ scores <175. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female sex [odds ratio (OR) 2.67, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.19–5.97, p = 0.0167] and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF-8 <40 (OR 2.58, 95 % CI 1.12–5.97, p = 0.0263) were independent risk factors for poor therapeutic response in patients with IBS.

Conclusions

Lower MCS and female sex were risk factors for poor therapeutic response in patients with IBS. Ascertaining the mechanisms by which lower MCS and female sex are associated with poor therapeutic response in IBS may help design better treatments (Trial registration number: UMIN000016804).

     

New therapeutic options for IBS: the role of the first in class mixed µ- opioid receptor agonist and δ-opioid receptor antagonist (mudelta) eluxadoline

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder which represents a major cost to healthcare services. IBS-D patients represent about one-third of the IBS population and are currently treated with antispasmodics, loperamide, bile acid sequestrants and antidepressants. Alosetron and rifaximin are also available in USA, ramosetron in Japan, Korea and Thailand and ondansetron as an off-label treatment.

Areas covered: This article focuses on eluxadoline, a novel pharmacological agent that has recently been approved by both the FDA and EMA for treatment of patients with IBS-D.

Expert commentary: The efficacy and safety of eluxadoline in treating bowel habit alterations and pain, both in the short and long-term, make the drug a welcome addition to our therapeutic alternatives in IBS-D. Its positioning in any IBS algorithm will depend on the ‘real world’ prevalence of the small risk of sphincter of Oddi spasm and mild pancreatitis.     

Outpatient management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis results in health-care cost savings

Purpose: Outpatient management without antibiotics has been shown to be safe for selected patients diagnosed with acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on admissions, complication rates and health-care costs of the policy of outpatient treatment without using antibiotics.

Methods: The medical records of all patients diagnosed with AUD in the year before (2011) and after (2014) the implementation of outpatient management without antibiotics in Västmanland County were reviewed. Health-care cost analysis was performed using the Swedish cost-per-patient model.

Results: In total, 494 episodes of AUD were identified, 254 in 2011 and 240 in 2014. The proportion of patients managed as outpatients was 20% in 2011 compared with 60% in 2014 (p?p?p?p?=?.469).

Conclusions: The new policy of outpatient management without antibiotics in routine health care almost halved the total health-care cost without an increase in the complication rate.     

Microscopic colitis: a missed diagnosis among patients with moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome

Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a very common condition in general practise, affecting 10–20% of the population in the Western world. The clinical picture of diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) resembles other chronic diarrhoeic conditions, such as microscopic colitis (MC). It is impossible to separate these by clinical examinations or lab-tests that can be done in general practise. The aim of this study was to detect any missed diagnoses when only using a symptom-based approach for the diagnosis of IBS.

Material and methodology: We examined 87 participants diagnosed with IBS by the Rome III criteria. All the participants underwent full clinical examination, lab-tests and colonoscopy including mucosa biopsies for histological examination.

Results: The histological analysis revealed four cases of MC in participants who for years had been diagnosed with IBS. We found no biochemical or clinical markers that made it possible to differentiate between IBS and MC. MC was only found in the participants diagnosed with IBS-D.

Conclusion: When long-lasting, unresolved diarrhoeic conditions are present in patients over 45–50 years of age, colonoscopy with biopsy should be performed to rule out MC and other pathologies before diagnosing IBS. In younger patients with pronounced watery diarrhoea, one should consider colonoscopy individually if there is no response to IBS-treatment.     

Prevalencia de síntomas de intestino irritable en población asistente a centros comerciales de Santiago de Chile

BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort that is associated with altered bowel habit. Both its prevalence and clinical characteristics vary throughout Latin America. A percentage of patients does not seek medical attention, therefore a reliable prevalence figure can only be established by interviewing non-selected populations.AimsTo study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of IBS symptoms in non-selected subjects in Santiago, Chile.MethodsA total of 437 shopping mall visitors above the age of 15 years (246 women) participated in the study by answering the Rome II validated questionnaire for IBS. The demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, comorbidities, and a family history of IBS were registered.ResultsA total of 64.1% subjects reported having gastrointestinal symptoms and 28.6% had symptoms suggestive of IBS. When the subjects with IBS symptoms were compared with the asymptomatic individuals, a predominance of women (65.6 vs. 42.9, P<.001) and a greater cholecystectomy frequency (33.6 vs. 12.9% P<.05) were observed in the former. The age of symptom onset was 30.4 years. An equal percentage of subjects (42.4%) presented with diarrhea and constipation and 15.2% presented with alternating IBS. Participants with a higher educational level reported a lower percentage of IBS (P<.05). A family history of the disease was present in 40% of the subjects with IBS, compared with 14.9% in the asymptomatic individuals (P<.05). Only 39.2% of the subjects had seen a physician for their symptoms and the treatment and tests ordered were inappropriate.ConclusionThe prevalence of IBS symptoms in the population studied is one of the highest described. Therefore, health teams should have the necessary knowledge and skill required for its management.     

The impact of atopic disease on the risk of post-infectious fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome 3 years after Giardia infection. A historic cohort study

Abstract

Objective. To investigate whether atopic disease influences the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue (CF) after giardiasis. Methods. A questionnaire was sent to all confirmed cases of giardiasis after a Norwegian outbreak, with response rate of 65.3% (817/1252). Controls were randomly selected matched on age and sex, with response rate of 31.4% (1128/3598). Associations were evaluated by use of logistic regression analyses. Results. In the Giardia exposed group, 47.8% of those with asthma had IBS compared with 45.3% in those without asthma (p = 0.662). For controls, corresponding percentages were 23.9% and 12.2% (p < 0.001). Among those with asthma, the adjusted relative risk (RR) for IBS was 2.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45, 2.62) for the exposed group compared with controls. In those without asthma, the corresponding RR was 3.80 (95% CI: 3.30, 4.32). In the exposed group, 51.5% of those with asthma had CF compared with 44.9% in those without asthma (p = 0.218). For controls, corresponding percentages were 19.3% and 10.7% (p = 0.004). Among those with asthma, the adjusted RR for CF was 2.73 (95% CI: 1.98, 3.45) for the exposed compared with controls. In those without asthma, the corresponding RR for CF was 4.25 (95% CI: 3.66, 4.85). Conclusion. For the exposed, having asthma or allergy did not increase the outcome of IBS or CF. For the control group, having an atopic disease made a substantial risk difference, with significantly more IBS and CF.     

Intestinal inflammatory profile shows increase in a diversity of biomarkers in irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Background: It has been proposed that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a low-grade mucosal inflammatory disease.

Objective: To characterize the intestinal inflammatory profile in IBS patients with or without fructose intolerance.

Design: Patients referred to colonoscopy with IBS complaints were screened for participation. IBS patients diagnosed according to the Rome II criteria and with no organic gastrointestinal disease were included in the study. One subgroup was patients included in a fructose-reduced diet study for 2 months with effects based on VAS symptom scores. Healthy controls were subjects under investigation of colorectal cancer screening with no IBS or other gastrointestinal diseases. All patients included had normal histology from rectum. Mucosal cytokines, chemokines and growth factors were measured by multiplex technology.

Results: Of 27 inflammatory markers tested in the mucosal tissue, 13 were significantly increased and none was significantly decreased in IBS as compared to controls. Significantly increased were the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor, the typical TH1 markers IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-2 and RANTES, the typical TH2 markers IL-5 and IL-9, the TH17 marker IL-17, TNF, the pleiotropic IL-15, and the growth factors bFGF and GM-CSF. In IBS patients with fructose intolerance only IL-5 was significantly increased compared to patients without fructose intolerance.

Conclusions: A dysregulated mucosal inflammatory profile with an increased level of TH1, TH2 and TH17 markers, and growth factors were observed in bowel mucosa in of IBS patients when compared to healthy controls.     

Current risk factors for asymptomatic venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

Objective: A history of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a risk factor for newly formed VTE after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, its morbidity and association with postoperative VTE are not clear and, therefore, were investigated in this study.

Methods: Four-hundred and nineteen patients scheduled for primary THA were included. We preoperatively identified any VTE factors such as obesity, age, and history of VTE by interviewing and duplex ultrasonography for all patients, and the patients were assigned into ‘high-’ or ‘low-risk’ groups, that were the indication whether chemoprophylaxis was administered after surgery. Postoperative VTE was also examined on the day 7 by enhanced computed tomography (CT) for all patients.

Results: Preoperative VTE were detected in 48 patients (11.4%), and postoperative VTE were found in 44 (10.5%). Linear and multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed osteonecrosis and preoperative VTE were the independent factors associated with postoperative VTE (Odds ratio (OR) 1.0 e-7 and 5.00, respectively). In the survey of each risk group, only preoperative VTE was recognized as a risk factor for high-risk group, and longer operation time for low-risk group.

Conclusion: The present study confirmed high frequency of preoperative VTE which was still the strongest risk factor for postoperative asymptomatic VTE     

The role of antibiotic prophylaxis in routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography investigations as assessed prospectively in a nationwide study cohort

Abstract

Objective. Risk factors for complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with emphasis on the potential advantage of the use of prophylactic antibiotics were studied in a national population-based study cohort. Materials and methods. All ERCP procedures registered in the Swedish Registry of Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks) between May 2005 and June 2013 were analyzed. Patients with ongoing antibiotic treatment, incomplete registration or those who had not undergone an index ERCP were excluded. Risk factors for adverse events were analyzed. Results. Data from 47,950 ERCPs were collected, but after applying the exclusion criteria, 31,188 examinations were analyzed. In the group receiving prophylactic antibiotics, the postoperative adverse event rate was 11.6% compared with 14.2% in the group without antibiotics. The odds ratio (OR) for the risk of postoperative adverse events in patients receiving prophylactic antibiotics was 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–0.79). When analyzing a subgroup of 21,893 ERCPs for the three most common indications (common bile duct stones, malignancy, and obstructive jaundice), the beneficial effect of prophylactic antibiotics on adverse events remained (OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.70–0.82). Further, in the subgroup of patients with obstructive jaundice, the administration of prophylactic antibiotics had a beneficial effect on septic complications (OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58–0.97). Conclusion. The risk of adverse events after ERCP is reduced 26% if antibiotics are given prophylactically during ERCP investigations, as suggested by data gained from this national population-based study. However, in absolute terms, the reduction in adverse events by prophylactic antibiotics is modest (2.6%).     

Study confirms benefit of surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Evaluation of: Pimentel M, Lembo A, Chey WD et al. Rifaximin therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome without constipation. N. Engl. J. Med. 364(1), 22–32 (2011).

Alterations in gut flora may play an important role in the pathophysiology of bowel symptoms, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If so, antibiotics that affect gut flora may offer a novel approach for the management of patients with IBS. Here, we discuss the results of two identically designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (TARGET 1 and TARGET 2) of a poorly absorbed antibiotic, rifaximin, in patients with IBS. In these studies, 1260 patients (females 76.1 and 72.1%, respectively) who had IBS without constipation were randomized to receive either rifaximin 550 mg or placebo, three-times daily for 2 weeks. Subsequently, daily symptoms were assessed and patients were followed up for 10 weeks. The primary outcome measure – adequate relief of global IBS symptoms during the first 4 weeks after treatment – was met in significantly more patients who received rifaximin than placebo (p < 0.001). In addition, more patients in the rifaximin group than in the placebo group (p < 0.001) reported an adequate relief of bloating, and an improvement in abdominal pain and stool consistency – secondary outcome measures. The incidence of adverse events with rifaximin was similar to placebo, and the drug was well tolerated. In summary, a 2-week course of rifaximin provided significant relief of IBS symptoms, as well as bloating and abdominal pain.     

Impact of shift work on irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia: A meta-analysis

Background:The possible association between shift work with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) remains controversial. The purpose of the study is to conduct a meta-analysis to explore the potential association between shift work with IBS/FD.Methods:We searched relevant observational studies on Medline (PubMed) and Embase until June 30, 2021. Two different investigators extracted data and assessed the quality of each study independently. The meta-analysis was used to evaluate the pooled odds risk (OR) between shift work and IBS/FD.Results:Eight studies were included ultimately. Shift workers were more likely to suffer from IBS. The OR of shift work was 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.42; 2.32) with low heterogeneity (P < .05, I² = 0%) for IBS. However, no evidence of the association was observed between shift work and the risk of FD. The OR of shift work was 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.62; 1.23) (P > .05) for FD.Conclusions:There was a positive association between shift work and IBS. The prevalence of IBS was 81% higher among shift workers than among non-shift workers. Shift work was probably a risk factor for IBS. The low heterogeneity supports the reliability of the results. However, there was no significant association between shift work and FD. The strength of the evidence was limited and further prospective cohort studies were needed.     

Murine CD4+CD25- cells activated in vitro with PMA/ionomycin and anti-CD3 acquire regulatory function and ameliorate experimental colitis in vivo

Background

There is insufficient evidence to determine whether acupuncture is a cost-effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. The objective of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of acupuncture as an adjunct to usual care versus usual care alone for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Methods

Cost-utility analysis conducted alongside a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. 233 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were randomly allocated to either acupuncture plus usual care, or usual care alone. Cost-effectiveness outcomes are expressed in terms of incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) at one year after randomisation. Costs were estimated from the UK National Health Service perspective for a time horizon of one year. Cost-utility ratios were estimated based on complete case analysis for the base case analysis, where only patients with available EQ-5D and cost data were included. Sensitivity analyses comprised a multiple imputation approach for missing data and a subgroup analysis for the more severe cases of IBS.

Results

The base case analysis showed acupuncture to be marginally more effective than usual care (gain of 0.0035 QALYs, 95% CI: -0.00395 to 0.0465) and more expensive (incremental cost of £218 per patient (95% CI: 55.87 to 492.87) resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of approximately £62,500. Sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation for missing data resulted in acupuncture appearing less effective and more costly than usual care, so usual care is dominant. Subgroup analysis selecting the most severe cases of IBS (Symptom Severity Score of over 300) suggested that acupuncture may be a cost-effective treatment option for this group, with a cost-per-QALY of £6,500.

Conclusions

Acupuncture as an adjunct to usual care is not a cost-effective option for the whole IBS population; however it may be cost-effective for those with more severe irritable bowel syndrome.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN08827905

     

Analysis of small bowel angioectasia in asymptomatic individuals depending on patients’ age and gender

Abstract

Objectives: Small bowel angioectasia (SBA) plays an important role in the etiologies of obscure gastrointestinal haemorrhage. But the exact prevalence of the disease is unknown, especially in asymptomatic populations. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic angioectasia in the small bowel (SB) with magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy (MCCG).

Methods: We retrospectively collected a multicentre clinical data of 508 asymptomatic patients who underwent MCCG from June 2018 to May 2019. Bowel cleanliness was rated as four grades according to the criteria, and the excellent or good preparation was classified as the adequate group. The detection rates of small bowel lesions were analysed according to the ages, genders and bowel preparations.

Results: A total of 508 individuals have completed the examination. There were 316 men and 192 women with an average age of 44.5?years old. The prevalence of SBA was 11.8% (95% CI: 9.0–14.6%). 70.0% of them were over 40?years old and 73.3% were male although there was no obvious disparity found in age and gender for the SBA. Most findings were located in the proximal small bowel (jejunum). The incidence of small bowel lesions was not related to bowel preparations (p?>?.05).

Conclusions: SBA is not uncommon in asymptomatic individuals. Age and gender may be risk factors for bleeding of angioectasia in the small bowel, but they seem to have little to do with the occurrence of it. MCCG showed no difference in ages, genders or bowel preparations of small bowel lesions among our study population.