Disorders of Gut-brain Interaction on the US-Mexico Border: A Survey Using Rome IV Criteria.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) cause a substantial health burden. Herein we studied the prevalence and characteristics of DGBI and symptoms of bloating/distension in El Paso, Texas on the US-Mexico border, providing a unique opportunity to study the effects of acculturation. METHODS: Subjects from community centers completed the Rome IV questionnaire for DGBI, short acculturation scale for Hispanics questionnaire, and bloating/distention Pictograms. Data were presented as prevalence (95% CI) and compared using χ 2 . RESULTS: Of 216 participants, 197 (127 Hispanics, 90 with English acculturation) were included and 177 completed the Pictograms. Fifty-one [25.9% (20 to 32.6)] subjects fulfilled the criteria for at least one DGBI. Globus and functional dyspepsia were the most common upper DGBI, each in [3.0% (1.1 to 6.5)]. Unspecified functional bowel disorders [8.6% (5.1 to 13.5)], followed by functional abdominal bloating/distention [8.1% (4.7 to 12.9], and irritable bowel syndrome [6.1% (3.2 to 10.4] were the most common functional bowel disorder. Ninety-one (51.4%) reported bloating and/or distension with Pictograms; more frequently in those with DGBI (80.9% vs 40.8%, P < 0.001). Bloating and/or distension were reported by Pictograms in 30% of those not reporting it in the Rome IV Questionnaire. There were no differences based on acculturation or in Hispanics versus non-Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: On the US-Mexico border, we found a lower prevalence of DGBI than in the US or Mexico. Functional abdominal bloating/distention was more prevalent on the US-Mexico border than in either country. Bloating/distension was more commonly reported with Pictograms than with verbal descriptors. There were no differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics, suggesting shared environmental/acquired including dietary factors as the underlying mechanisms.

The spectrum of gastrointestinal functional bowel disorders in joint hypermobility syndrome and in an academic referral center.

Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) is a non-inflammatory hereditary disorder of connective tissue with varied clinical presentations, including frequent joint dislocations, hyperextensible skin, easy bruising, and abnormal paper-thin scar formation. Many of these patients have unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of JHS in a tertiary gastroenterology motility clinic and the spectrum of functional bowel disorders in JHS patients. In this retrospective case series, we screened the medical records of 277 patients seen over 4 years at an academic GI Motility Center. The patients who met the criteria for JHS by Beighton hypermobility score were evaluated for the presence of functional GI disorders by Rome IV criteria. They also underwent gastric emptying study and glucose breath testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The prevalence of JHS in the study population was 9.7%. The mean age was 27 years, and 92.5% were female. The symptoms experienced by these patients include nausea/vomiting (89%), abdominal pain (70%), constipation (48%), and bloating (18.5%). The disorders associated with JHS include gastroparesis (52%), irritable bowel syndrome (55.5%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (30%). Also, 10 patients (37%) were diagnosed with postural hypotension tachycardia syndrome secondary to autonomic dysfunction. Approximately 10% of patients with suspected functional bowel disorders have hypermobility syndrome. Hence, it is crucial to familiarize gastrointestinal practitioners with the criteria utilized to diagnose JHS and the methods to identify physical examination findings related to this condition.

Gastrointestinal symptoms and the severity of COVID-19: Disorders of gut-brain interaction are an outcome.

BACKGROUND: Many of the studies on COVID-19 severity and its associated symptoms focus on hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between acute GI symptoms and COVID-19 severity in a clustering-based approach and to determine the risks and epidemiological features of post-COVID-19 Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) by including both hospitalized and ambulatory patients. METHODS: The study utilized a two-phase Internet-based survey on: (1) COVID-19 patients' demographics, comorbidities, symptoms, complications, and hospitalizations and (2) post-COVID-19 DGBI diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria in association with anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9). Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate tests. RESULTS: Five distinct clusters of symptomatic subjects were identified based on the presence of GI symptoms, loss of smell, and chest pain, among 1114 participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. GI symptoms were found to be independent risk factors for severe COVID-19; however, they did not always coincide with other severity-related factors such as age >65 years, diabetes mellitus, and Vitamin D deficiency. Of the 164 subjects with a positive test who participated in Phase-2, 108 (66%) fulfilled the criteria for at least one DGBI. The majority (n = 81; 75%) were new-onset DGBI post-COVID-19. Overall, 86% of subjects with one or more post-COVID-19 DGBI had at least one GI symptom during the acute phase of COVID-19, while 14% did not. Depression (65%), but not anxiety (48%), was significantly more common in those with post-COVID-19 DGBI. CONCLUSION: GI symptoms are associated with a severe COVID-19 among survivors. Long-haulers may develop post-COVID-19 DGBI. Psychiatric disorders are common in post-COVID-19 DGBI.

Cardiac safety and clinical efficacy of high-dose domperidone for long-term treatment of gastroparesis symptoms.

Domperidone is an effective antiemetic used worldwide, but there have been reports of possible cardiotoxicity. Our goal was to explore the cardiac safety and clinical efficacy of long-term domperidone, titrated as high as 120 mg/day, in patients not responding or unable to tolerate other therapies for gastroparesis (GP).This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single tertiary care academic center. We objectively assessed the safety and efficacy of domperidone through questionnaires, clinical follow-up and frequent ECGs as mandated by the Food and Drug Administration. We excluded patients with a history of dangerous arrhythmias, prolonged QTc, clinically significant electrolyte disturbances, gastrointestinal hemorrhage or obstruction, presence of a prolactinoma, pregnant or breastfeeding females, or allergy to domperidone. A total of 21 patients met the inclusion criteria for eligibility in this study (52.4% white, 42.9% Hispanic; mean age 50.1 years; 90.5% female). The mean duration of domperidone therapy was 52.3 (range 16-97) months with a mean highest dose of 80 mg/day (range 40-120 mg). Two patients (9.5%) taking 120 mg/day experienced asymptomatic meaningful QTc prolongation (>450 ms in males, >470 ms in females). One-third of patients had asymptomatic non-meaningful QTc prolongation. Palpitations or chest pain was reported in 19% of patients without ECG abnormalities or adverse cardiac events. The mean severity of vomiting and nausea was improved by 82% and 55%, respectively.Long-term treatment with high doses of domperidone (40-120 mg/day) improved GP symptoms in patients previously refractory to other medical therapies and with a satisfactory cardiovascular risk profile.