Incidence of intestinal constipation during the COVID-19 pandemic period in medical students from a private institution in São Paulo, SP

Introduction: Chronic intestinal constipation (CIC) presents an incidence of 2.6 to 30.7% in the overall population and due to the social reality imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, some behavior changes in the Brazilian population occurred that might or not be associated with alterations of CIC prevalence. Objective: To assess CIC incidence in medical students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil in a private higher educational institution in the city of São Paulo, state of São Paulo. Methods: Clinic data were collected through Google Forms software from the same students seeking to analyze the variables before (year of 2019) and during the coronavirus pandemic. The data were: age, sex, body mass index, constipation referred in a subjective way and confirmed through the ROME III criteria, feces consistency and anxiety and/or depression during the pandemic. Results: A total of 126 medical students from a private higher education institution from São Paulo, SP were included. The average age was 22.9 years old, 70.6% were female and the average BMI was 23.3 kg/m2. Regarding the ROME III criteria, 32.5% presented >2 in 2019 and 42.1% during the pandemic. Concerning the feces consistency, 31.75 and 35.71% presented dry Bristol 1 feces or in both periods, respectively. Conclusion: It was observed an increase in the prevalence of chronic intestinal constipation in medical students from a private higher education institution from São Paulo, state of São Paulo, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as dryness in the feces. (AU)

Comparative Study Between Rome III and Rome Criteria in College Students With Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders / 胃肠病学

Background: The newly released Rome criteria in 2016 has a stricter and more precise definition of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) when compared with Rome III criteria. The adjustment and improvement of diagnostic criteria by Rome criteria may affect the clinical diagnosis of FGIDs. Aims: To investigate the differences and the similarities between Rome III and Rome criteria in the diagnosis of FGIDs in college students. Methods: The FGIDs database of college students in Zhejiang Province established by our previous research team were further evaluated and analyzed by Rome criteria, and the incidence, psychological symptom score, overlapping of disease of FGIDs were calculated, and compared with Rome III criteria. Results: Of the 1 870 cases in database, 1 025 (54.81%) met Rome criteria of FGIDs; while 1 111 (59.41%) met Rome III criteria, the difference in detection rate was statistically significant (P <0.01). In Rome group, incidences of belching disorders (2.14% vs. 5.83%, P<0.01), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (2.78% vs. 6.90%, P<0.01), functional abdominal bloating/distension (1.28% vs. 4.12%, P<0.01) were significantly lower than those in Rome III group, while incidence of functional diarrhea was significantly higher (3.85% vs. 0.70%, P<0.01). Patients met Rome criteria showed a higher score of obsession⁃compulsion, depression and anxiety (P<0.05). Rome criteria caused 33 (25.58%) original IBS patients included in functional diarrhea, and 6 (4.65%) original IBS patients included in function constipation. The diagnosis of functional bowel disease overlapping with other FGIDs (belching disorders, functional dyspepsia) according to Rome III and Rome criteria were statistically different (P<0.01, P<0.05). Conclusions: Rome criteria has a stricter and more accurate definition of FGIDs, reflecting a more accurate psychological and clinical features, and identification of patients who really need treatment, resulting in a more efficient and feasible application in clinical practice and scientific research.

El síndrome de intestino irritable como causa de dolor abdominal crónico / Irritable bowel syndrome as a cause of chronic abdominal pain

Introducción: los trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales son motivo de consulta frecuente en Gastroenterología, y presentan un serio problema social y en la dinámica familiar. El síndrome de intestino irritable en la población pediátrica es poco diagnosticado, y el dolor abdominal crónico es motivo de consulta frecuente en la infancia y adolescencia. Objetivo: analizar los aspectos más actuales en su diagnóstico y tratamiento, y su relación con el dolor abdominal crónico. Métodos: se revisaron las bases documentales de PubMed, Scielo y Latindex y el Registro Especializado del Grupo Cochrane de datos relacionados con el síndrome de intestino irritable hasta diciembre de 2017, así como las guías de tratamiento postuladas por distintas organizaciones médicas, basadas en los criterios de Roma y de la Medicina Basada en la Evidencia. Desarrollo: se realizó una revisión del tema referido a la infancia, y se incluyeron concepto y patogénesis más aceptadas, así como los criterios de Roma establecidos para el diagnóstico. Se hizo énfasis en la etiología, diagnóstico clínico y pruebas diagnósticas. Se analizaron algunos aspectos del tratamiento. Conclusiones: el síndrome de intestino irritable es relativamente frecuente como causa de dolor abdominal crónico funcional, y el interrogatorio dirigido según los criterios de Roma es útil para su diagnóstico. La mayoría de los pacientes con síndrome de intestino irritable en la infancia deben ser atendidos en la atención primaria(AU)

Introduction: gastrointestinal functional disorders are a frequent reason for consultation in Gastroenterology services, and represent a serious social problem and in family dynamics. Irritable bowel syndrome in the pediatric population is poorly diagnosed, and chronic abdominal pain is a frequent reason for consultation in childhood and adolescence. Objective: to analyze the ultimate aspects in its diagnosis and treatment, and its relation with chronic abdominal pain. Methods: PubMed, Scielo and Latindex documentary databases and the Cochrane Specialized Register of data related to irritable bowel syndrome until December 2017 were revised, as well as the treatment guidelines presented by different medical organizations based on the criteria of Rome and of Evidence-Based Medicine. Development: a review of the subject referring to childhood was carried out, and the most accepted concept and pathogenesis were included, as well as Rome criteria established for the diagnosis. Etiology, clinical diagnosis and diagnostic tests were emphasized. Some aspects of the treatment were analyzed. Conclusions: Irritable bowel syndrome is relatively common as a cause of chronic functional abdominal pain, and questioning conducted according to Rome criteria is useful for diagnosis. The majority of patients with irritable bowel syndrome in childhood should be treated in the primary care level(AU)

Therapeutic Effect of Suboos-e-Isabgol (Psyllium Husk) (Plantag ovata) & Safoof-e- Belgiri (Aegle marmalos) in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Case Series

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort with altered bowel habits in the absence of any detectable structural abnormalities. These symptoms tend to show relapse & remission. IBS significantly impair quality of life, resulting in high health care cost. All these features plus the adverse effects of conventional treatment makes the patient worrisome. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of Suboos-e-isabgol & safoof-e-belgiri for treating IBS & to collect data to warrant further clinical trials. Materials & Methods: A case  series was conducted with Ten (10)  patients of IBS clinically diagnosed after excluding the possible causes by proper laboratory work-up & confirmed by Rome’s Criteria III. Subsequently patients were treated with Suboos-e-Isapgol & Safoof-e-Belgiri. Results: Patients of both types of IBS whether, diarrhoea prominent or constipation prominent, were significantly relieved of their abdominal discomfort & altered bowel habits within an average of 3 months treatment. Conclusion: The preliminary findings indicate that Suboos-e-Isapgol & Safoof-e-Belgiri are effective in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Clinical Approach to Abdominal Pain as Functional Origin / 대한소화기학회지

Abdominal pain and treatment should be administered in accordance with the causes. A meticulous history taking and physical examination are highly useful in making a diagnosis, and blood tests, imaging modalities, and endoscopy are useful for confirming diagnosis. However, in many cases, patients have functional disorders with no obvious abnormal findings obtained even if many diagnostic tests are performed. Patients with functional disorders usually complain the vague abdominal pain located in the center and other portions of the abdominal area. Although the most representative disease is irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain syndrome is currently researched as a new disease entity of functional abdominal pain. As various receptors related to functional abdominal pain have been discovered, drugs associated with those receptors are used to treat the disorders, and additional new drugs are vigorously developed. In addition, medical therapy with pharmacological or non-pharmacological psychiatric treatment is effective for treating functional abdominal pain.

Usefulness of Assessment of Stool Form by the Modified Bristol Stool Form Scale in Primary Care Pediatrics / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Rome criteria are considered the gold standard for diagnosing functional constipation. The modified Bristol stool form scale (m-BSFS) was validated to measure stool form in children. However, neither the potential use of the m-BSFS as a tool to facilitate the diagnosis of potential constipation, nor the agreement between m-BSFS and stool consistency by Rome has been studied. Our objective is to determine if m-BSFS is a reliable tool to facilitat detection of constipation; and the agreement between stool form by m-BSFS and hard stool criteria in Rome. METHODS: A survey tool with the Rome III criteria and the m-BSFS was developed. A Likert-scale addressed frequency of each stool form on the m-BSFS. Responses to Rome III and m-BSFS were compared. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the m-BSFS was 79.2% and 66.0% respectively; and in children <4 years. improved to 81.2% and 75.0% respectively. There was poor agreement between hard stools by m-BSFS and the painful or hard bowel movement question of Rome Criteria. CONCLUSION: The potential utility of m-BSFS as a reasonably good tool to facilitate the diagnosis of potential constipation in children is shown. The poor agreement between painful or hard stool question in Rome III, and ratings for hard stool on the m-BSFS illustrates that one's perception may differ between a question and a picture. A useful pictorial tool to appraise stool form may, thus, be a favorable complement in the process of enquiry about bowel habits in well-child care.

Understanding the Rome IV: Background to the Rome IV Revision / 대한내과학회지

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common and may be serious. As such disorders are identified principally on the basis of their symptoms, symptom-based classifications assume great importance. The Rome diagnostic criteria for FGIDs are widely used in both research and practice. Over time, the criteria have been revised as new data accumulate; the Rome IV criteria were recently released. The changes from the Rome III criteria principally reflect the data of literature reports and committee recommendations based on all available evidence. Here, we offer a historical perspective and discuss the Rome IV changes.

There is an agreement between constipation referred and that documented by objective criteria? / Existe concordância entre constipação referida e constatada por critérios objetivos?

Abstract Introduction Chronic constipation is the most common digestive complaint at the doctor's office, with high prevalence in the population. However, many patients - and even those physicians not so familiar with pelvic floor disorders-define and consider constipation based on intestinal functionality and stool consistency. But symptoms of incomplete defecation, digital maneuvers, abdominal discomfort, and straining should not be overlooked. Objectives To investigate the correlation between constipation referred and documented through objective criteria in patients admitted on a daytime-nursing ward basis at the Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo. Methodology This is a prospective study of a random sample of patients admitted on a daytime-ward hospitalization basis at Santa Marcelina Hospital to perform minor surgical procedures not related to functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in the period from September 2014 to June 2015; the only exclusion criterion was "not agreed to participate in the interview conducted by students of medicine at Santa Marcelina Medical School". Results 102 patients were randomly analyzed in the period considered (51% female) with a mean overall age of 48.6 (19-82) years. Constipation has been reported spontaneously by 17.6% of participants and denied by 82.4%. With the implementation of the Cleveland Clinic's criteria for the diagnosis of constipation, the compliance with the referred symptomatology was 88.9%; the same value was found with the use of the Rome III criteria (Kappa = 0.665). In addition, a higher incidence of constipation was observed in female patients (p = 0.002). Conclusion A higher incidence of constipation was observed in female participants, with no statistical difference with respect to age. Furthermore, a substantial agreement was found between constipation referred and constipation documented through objective criteria.

Resumo Introdução A constipação intestinal crônica representa a queixa digestiva mais comum no consultório com elevada prevalência na população. No entanto, frequentemente, os pacientes e mesmo os médicos, não tão afeitos com os distúrbios do assoalho pélvico, definem e consideram constipação baseados na funcionalidade intestinal e consistência das fezes. Entretanto, os sintomas de defecação incompleta, manobras digitais, desconforto abdominal e esforço evacuatório não devem ser negligenciados. Objetivos Verificar a correlação entre constipação intestinal referida e constatada através de critérios objetivos em pacientes internados em regime de enfermaria dia no Hospital Santa Marcelina, São Paulo. Metodologia Estudo prospectivo de amostra aleatória de pacientes internados em enfermaria dia do Hospital Santa Marcelina para realização de cirurgias de pequeno porte e não relacionadas a distúrbios funcionais de trato gastrintestinal no período entre setembro de 2014 e junho de 2015, cujo único critério de exclusão foi o não consentimento em participar da entrevista realizada pelos alunos do curso de medicina da Faculdade Santa Marcelina. Resultados Foram analisados de forma aleatória 102 pacientes no período sendo 51% do sexo feminino e média de idade global de 48,6 anos (19-82 anos). A constipação foi referida de forma espontânea em 17,6% e negada em 82,4%. Ao se utilizar o critério da Cleveland Clinic para constatar constipação houve uma concordância com o sintoma referido fora de 88,9%, com mesmo valor ao se utilizar os critérios de Roma III (Kappa = 0,665). Além disso, verificou-se maior incidência de constipação intestinal nos pacientes do sexo feminino (p = 0,002). Conclusão Verificou-se maior incidência de constipação no sexo feminino sem diferença estatística baseado na idade. Além disso, constatou-se concordância substancial entre a constipação referida e a documentada através de critérios objetivos.

Analysis on Awareness of Functional Dyspepsia and Rome Criteria Among Japanese Internists by the Self-administered Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is one of the commonest diseases in the field of Internal Medicine. The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) has been enlightening the term and concept of FD. Aim of this survey was to elucidate the understanding status of FD and Rome criteria and attitude toward FD among Japanese internists. METHODS: Data were collected at the time of lifelong education course for certified members of Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to the medical doctors prior to the lectures. RESULTS: Analysis subjects were 1,623 (24-90 years old) internists among 1,660 medical doctors out of 4,264 attendees. The terms related to FD were known in 62.0-68.9% of internists, whereas 95.5% understood chronic gastritis. Internists who had been taking care of FD patients informed them as chronic gastritis (50.0%), FD in Japanese Kanji character (50.8%) and FD in Kanji and Katakana (18.6%). Logistic linear regression analysis revealed that positive factors for the understanding of FD and intensive care for FD patients were practitioner, caring many patients and certified physician by JSGE. Existence of Rome criteria was known in 39.9% of internists, and 31.8% out of them put it to practical use. The certified physician by JSGE was a positive factor for awareness, but not for utilization. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the needs of enlightening the medical term FD in Japan and revision of Rome criteria for routine clinical practice. Precise recognition of FD may enhance efficient patient-based clinical practice.

Diarrea funcional como causa de diarrea crónica / Functional diarrhea as cause of chronic diarrhea

La diarrea funcional se presenta con frecuencia en la práctica pediátrica, y generalmente no se asocia a alteraciones nutricionales, pero sí a esquemas dietéticos incorrectos. Se actualiza su importancia clínica, se hace énfasis en la patogenia, diagnóstico y en los métodos de tratamiento. Consideramos que es la causa más frecuente de diarrea crónica inespecífica y que el interrogatorio dirigido según los criterios de Roma es útil para su diagnóstico. La mayoría de los pacientes con esta enfermedad en la infancia deben ser tratados en la atención primaria

The functional diarrhea is frequent in the pediatric practice and in general it is not associated with nutritional alterations, but to incorrect dietary schemes. Its clinical significance is updated and its pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment methods are emphasized. Authors considered that the functional diarrhea is the more frequent cause of unspecific chronic diarrhea and the questioning directed according the Rome criteria is very useful for its diagnosis. Most of patients presenting with this disease during childhood must to be treated in primary care services

Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 대한소화기학회지

According to Rome II criteria, irritable bowel syndrome is defined as a group of functional bowel disorders in which abdominal discomfort or pain is associated with defecation or change in bowel habit and is associated with features of disordered defecation. A diagnosis is based on identifying the consistent symptoms with the exclusion of other organic or functional disorders having similar clinical presentations in a cost-effective manner. A physical examination should be performed on the first visit and on subsequent visits as needed. Two algorithms for the evaluation of patients seen in primary care settings and two other algorithms for patients presenting to gastroenterologists are presented. In general, if Rome II criteria are fulfilled, alarm features are not present, and screening studies from the referring physician are negative, further testing is not needed. Screening studies are recommended when certain historical information is present. In many cases, the therapeutic trial can be undertaken before further diagnostic studies are done and will depend on the symptom subtype and its severity. It needs to be emphasized that patients presenting with typical symptoms and no alarm signs are rarely found to have another diagnosis, supporting the benefit of ongoing care and symptomatic management rather than continued diagnostic evaluation. If initial treatment fails, or certain clinical features emerge requiring further evaluation, studies may be performed by gastroenterologists in specialty centers.

Description and Comparison of Diagnostic Criteria in Childhood Functional Constipation / 实用儿科临床杂志

Functional constipation(FC) in childhood is characterized by a low defecation frequency in combination with either involuntary loss of stools(encopresis),passage of large amounts of stool,retentive posturing,or hard and often painful defecation.It represents 3%-5% of general pediatric outpatient visits and up to 25% of pediatric gastroenterology consultations.FC is a diagnosis made by history and physical examination.No testing is necessary or desirable.The decision to seek medical care for symptoms arises from a parent′s or caretaker′s concern for children.The caretaker′s threshold for concern varies with his or her experiences and expectations,coping style,and perception of illness,till now there is not an universal native criteria established in spite of much has been done in it.The criteria used are still to draw assistance from the foreign standard,among which the classic criteria,the Rome Ⅱ and Rome Ⅲ criteria are considered commonly used.The purpose of this paper is to descript the several foreign criteria,and to make comparison among them,and to explore their applicability and effectiveness in childhood FC

A Comparison and Validity of Various Diagnostic Criteria of Irritable Bowel Syndrome / 대한소화관운동학회지

BACKGROUNDS: There has been some discordance in the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) probably due to different diagnostic criteria used by different study groups. The aims of this study was to determine the degree of agreement between different standard definitions and to test the validity of applying these different standards in epidemiological investigations of IBS among Korean population. METHODS: We recruited 1,038 patients who visited Yongdong Severance Hosipital for medical checkup and gave out the prepared questionnaires. Based on the returned questionnaires, degree of agreement between Manning, Rome I, and Rome II criteria was investigated by percent agreement and calculating kappa statics. Furthermore, clinical characteristics in different definition groups and patients of self-reported IBS were investigated and compared. RESULTS: Complete questionnaires were returned by 928 out of 1,038 subjects. The percent agreements ranged from 80.7 to 96.7 percent and kappa values ranged from 0.20 to 0.59. Best agreement occurred between Manning and Rome I criteria. Many subjects diagnosed as not having IBS by various diagnostic criteria of IBS thought themselves as having IBS. More sizable number of patients were suspected to have structural gastrointestinal diseases in IBS patients diagnosed by Manning, Rome I, and Rome II criteria compared with self-reported IBS subjects. CONCLUSIONS: It could be suspected that results of epidemiological investigations might be different according to standard definitions applied on each studies. Furthermore, some modifications of existing standard definitions of Western world would be required before applying them among Korean population.