A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of lidamidine HCL in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown electro-mechanical recto-anal alterations in irritable bowel syndrome patients (Awad R. Neurogastroenterol Motil 1993; 5; 265-271). To assess whether the alpha 2-agonist lidamidine HCL is able to modify these physiological alterations and alleviate clinical symptoms, 50 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were studied in a random, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Lidamidine HCL (4 mg) or placebo was taken orally t.i.d. with food. Fasting and post-prandial electrical and mechanical activities of rectum and internal anal sphincter were recorded before and at the end of treatment. Recto-anal sensitivity was also tested. RESULTS: After treatment, post-prandial duration of spontaneous recto-anal inhibitory reflex diminished in the lidamidine group (18.9 +/- 1 vs. 15.1 +/- 1.3 sec; p < 0.05). Amplitude of induced rectoanal inhibitory reflex decreased after lidamidine (24.6 +/- 2.9 vs 17.3 +/- 3 mmHg; p = 0.02). Rectal electrical activity showed no changes during basal and post-prandial periods in any group. Rectal painful sensation decreased after treatment with lidamidine (54.8 +/- 5.4 vs 43.6 +/- 3.5 ml; p < 0.05) as well as with placebo (p < 0.05). Abdominal distension and frequency, severity and duration of pain diminished in both groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lidamidine decreased the augmented mechanical response to food, reduced rectal sensitivity, and relieved symptoms. These facts suggest that in spite of the strong placebo response obtained, lidamidine HCL can become a useful alternative for treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of lidamidine HCL in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown electro-mechanical recto-anal alterations in irritable bowel syndrome patients (Awad R. Neurogastroenterol Motil 1993; 5; 265-271). To assess whether the alpha 2-agonist lidamidine HCL is able to modify these physiological alterations and alleviate clinical symptoms, 50 patients with irritable bowel syndrome were studied in a random, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Lidamidine HCL (4 mg) or placebo was taken orally t.i.d. with food. Fasting and post-prandial electrical and mechanical activities of rectum and internal anal sphincter were recorded before and at the end of treatment. Recto-anal sensitivity was also tested. RESULTS: After treatment, post-prandial duration of spontaneous recto-anal inhibitory reflex diminished in the lidamidine group (18.9 +/- 1 vs. 15.1 +/- 1.3 sec; p < 0.05). Amplitude of induced rectoanal inhibitory reflex decreased after lidamidine (24.6 +/- 2.9 vs 17.3 +/- 3 mmHg; p = 0.02). Rectal electrical activity showed no changes during basal and post-prandial periods in any group. Rectal painful sensation decreased after treatment with lidamidine (54.8 +/- 5.4 vs 43.6 +/- 3.5 ml; p < 0.05) as well as with placebo (p < 0.05). Abdominal distension and frequency, severity and duration of pain diminished in both groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lidamidine decreased the augmented mechanical response to food, reduced rectal sensitivity, and relieved symptoms. These facts suggest that in spite of the strong placebo response obtained, lidamidine HCL can become a useful alternative for treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Esophageal motility disorders in Mexican patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Myopathies are entities that mainly involve striated muscle. In Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD) there have been reported smooth muscle alterations in the pre-oral phase of swallowing, in gastric emptying, and pseudoobstruction. Nevertheless, esophageal motility alterations are not concluding. The objective of this work was to determine if there are motor esophageal alterations in this patients, and if this alterations are related to the clinical manifestations of disease. STUDY DESIGN: Nine consecutive patients with DMD (mean age 8, range 6-11 years; males) were evaluated, comparing clinical and manometric findings. RESULTS: Esophageal manometry alterations were found in all patients, mainly simultaneous non-peristaltic waves (60.86%) of diminished amplitude, in both striated and smooth muscle. Seventy seven percent presented with upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms (dysphagia, regurgitation, epigastric pain, constipation, and distention). No correlation was found between esophageal motility alterations and gastrointestinal symptoms, nor with the clinical stage of disease in accordance to Brook (r = 0.27). CONCLUSION: These results show that patients with DMD present esophageal motor disorders in both striated and smooth muscle, as well as upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Specialized motility studies could yield a better understanding of disease, and, possibly with adequate treatment, provide for a better quality of life in children with DMD.

[Biofeedback and surgery in the treatment of fecal incontinence and lesion of the external anal sphincter: long-term follow-up]. / Retroalimentación biológica y cirugía en el tratamiento de la incontinencia fecal con lesión del esfínter anal externo. Seguimiento a largo plazo.

INTRODUCTION: In children, damage in the anal area which affects both the external anal sphincter and the internal anal sphincter is serious problem. Biofeedback is not effective if the external anal sphincter is severely damaged, and surgery by itself cannot effect a cure for incontinence in these cases. CLINICAL CASE: a girl aged 6 yrs 8 months who from the age of two suffered from massive recurrent tricolephalosis, causing rectal prolapse, anal abscesses and fistulas, fistulectomy, and finally severe damage in the anal area with total incontinence. The treatment began with recto-anal manometry, and rectal sensitivity studies. Biofeedback was used before and after gracilis muscle transfer and colostomy. After 12 months, total continence was achieved, and has continued through 7 years of follow-up examinations. CONCLUSIONS: To treat fecal incontinence combined with severe damage in the external anal sphincter, the following procedure should be followed: manometry and sensitivity studies, reconstruction of the external anal sphincter with gracilis muscle transfer, and biofeedback.

Retroalimentación biológica y cirugía en el tratamiento de la incontinencia fecal con lesión del esfínter anal externo. Seguimiento a largo plazo. / [Biofeedback and surgery in the treatment of fecal incontinence and lesion of the external anal sphincter: long-term follow-up]

INTRODUCTION: In children, damage in the anal area which affects both the external anal sphincter and the internal anal sphincter is serious problem. Biofeedback is not effective if the external anal sphincter is severely damaged, and surgery by itself cannot effect a cure for incontinence in these cases. CLINICAL CASE: a girl aged 6 yrs 8 months who from the age of two suffered from massive recurrent tricolephalosis, causing rectal prolapse, anal abscesses and fistulas, fistulectomy, and finally severe damage in the anal area with total incontinence. The treatment began with recto-anal manometry, and rectal sensitivity studies. Biofeedback was used before and after gracilis muscle transfer and colostomy. After 12 months, total continence was achieved, and has continued through 7 years of follow-up examinations. CONCLUSIONS: To treat fecal incontinence combined with severe damage in the external anal sphincter, the following procedure should be followed: manometry and sensitivity studies, reconstruction of the external anal sphincter with gracilis muscle transfer, and biofeedback.