Degree of concordance on the management of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. A study among specialists that are members of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Neurogastroenterología (SLNG).

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Due to its different clinical manifestations, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires diverse diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of agreement among Latin American specialists, with respect to the management of GERD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through a survey with 42 statements (22 related to diagnosis and 20 to treatment) applied to 56 specialists from Latin America. There were 4 possible statement responses: in complete agreement, in partial agreement, in partial disagreement, and in complete disagreement. Reproducibility, level of agreement, and concordance were measured through the Kappa statistic. RESULTS: The response rate was 81% (47/56). General concordance was low, given that there was complete concordance in only 12 statements (28.6%). There was partial concordance in 22 statements (52.4%) and no concordance in 8 (19%). The following themes had the most disagreement: the performance of endoscopy before beginning treatment, the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with extraesophageal symptoms and with no typical symptoms, and the combined use of PPIs and prokinetics. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we found that there was agreement among the Latin American specialists for the diagnosis and management of GERD in less than one-third of the recommendations considered standard. The low concordance could be related to the fact that the availability of diagnostic tools and medications, as well as the prevalence of GERD phenotypes, is different in each country.

Degree of concordance on the management of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. A study among specialists that are members of the Sociedad Latinoamericana de Neurogastroenterología (SLNG). / Grado de acuerdo en el manejo de pacientes con enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico. Un estudio entre especialistas miembros de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Neurogastroenterología (SLNG).

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Due to its different clinical manifestations, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requires diverse diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of concordance among Latin American specialists, with respect to the management of GERD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through a survey with 42 statements (22 related to diagnosis and 20 to treatment) applied to 56 specialists from Latin America. There were 4 possible statement responses: in complete agreement, in partial agreement, in partial disagreement, and in complete disagreement. Reproducibility, level of agreement, and concordance were measured through the Kappa statistic. RESULTS: The response rate was 81% (47/56). General concordance was low, given that there was complete concordance in only 12 statements (28.6%). There was partial concordance in 22 statements (52.4%) and no concordance in 8 (19%). The following themes had the most disagreement: the performance of endoscopy before beginning treatment, the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with extraesophageal symptoms and with no typical symptoms, and the combined use of PPIs and prokinetics. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we found that there was agreement among the Latin American specialists for the diagnosis and management of GERD in less than one-third of the recommendations considered standard. The low concordance could be related to the fact that the availability of diagnostic tools and medications, as well as the prevalence of GERD phenotypes, are different in each country.

Beware: Gastrointestinal symptoms can be a manifestation of COVID-19. / Alerta: los síntomas gastrointestinales podrían ser una manifestación de la COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing number of reports on the presentation of gastrointestinal symptoms in cases of COVID-19. AIM: To review the studies reporting gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19. RESULTS: Fifteen articles (2,800 patients) were identified. Gastrointestinal symptom frequency varied from 3.0% to 39.6% and included diarrhea (7.5%), náusea (4.5%), anorexia (4.4%), vomiting (1.3%), abdominal pain (0.5%), and belching/reflux (0.3%). Those symptoms can be the first manifestation of COVID-19, but whether they reflect a better or worse prognosis, is controversial. The potential relation of the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor in the digestive tract as an entry route for the virus is discussed. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal symptoms may be common in COVID-19, in some cases appearing as the first manifestation, even before fever and respiratory symptoms. Therefore, clinicians and gastroenterologists must be aware of those atypical cases during the current pandemic, as well as of the fecal-oral route and corresponding preventive measures.

Bowel symptoms in patients that receive proton pump inhibitors. Results of a multicenter survey in Mexico. / Síntomas intestinales en pacientes que reciben inhibidores de bomba de protones (IBP). Resultados de una encuesta multicéntrica en México.

INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which increases with prolonged PPI use, and SIBO has been associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to study the prevalence of bowel symptoms in patients treated with PPIs in Mexico. METHODS: Gastroenterologists in 36 cities surveyed patients treated with PPIs, utilizing an ad hoc questionnaire to determine the presence of bowel symptoms and IBS. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifteen physicians interviewed 1,851 patients. PPI indications were gastritis (48.8%), gastroesophageal reflux (38.5%), peptic ulcer (6.2%), and others (6.5%). A total of 77.5% of the patients received treatment for ≤6 months and 11.9% for ≥1 year. Symptoms were reported in 92.3% of the patients: abnormal bowel habits (90%), bloating (82%), abdominal pain (63%), flatulence (58%), and abdominal discomfort (53%). A total of 67.5% of the patients fit the Rome III criteria for IBS. Symptoms presented in 55.9% of the patients before PPI intake and in 44.1% of the patients after PPI use (P<.005). Constipation (63.8%) predominated in the former, and diarrhea (56.5%) in the latter (P<.0001). The treatments prescribed for managing those symptoms were antispasmodics, antibiotics, prokinetics, and antiflatulents, but patients stated greater satisfaction with antibiotics (mainly rifaximin) (P<.0001). CONCLUSION: The association of PPIs with bowel symptoms and IBS is frequent in Mexico. Diarrhea and bloating predominate, and antibiotics produce the greatest treatment satisfaction, suggesting that SIBO or dysbiosis is the cause of the PPI-related bowel symptoms. However, that remains to be confirmed.

The Mexican consensus on chronic constipation. / Consenso mexicano sobre estreñimiento crónico.

INTRODUCTION: Significant advances have been made in the knowledge and understanding of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic constipation, since the publication of the 2011 guidelines on chronic constipation diagnosis and treatment in Mexico from the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología. AIMS: To present a consensus review of the current state of knowledge about chronic constipation, providing updated information and integrating the new scientific evidence. METHODS: Three general coordinators reviewed the literature published within the time frame of January 2011 and January 2017. From that information, 62 initial statements were formulated and then sent to 12 national experts for their revision. The statements were voted upon, using the Delphi system in 3 voting rounds (2 electronic and one face-to-face). The statements were classified through the GRADE system and those that reached agreement >75% were included in the consensus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The present consensus is made up of 42 final statements that provide updated knowledge, supplementing the information that had not been included in the previous guidelines. The strength of recommendation and quality (level) of evidence were established for each statement. The current definitions of chronic constipation, functional constipation, and opioid-induced constipation are given, and diagnostic strategies based on the available diagnostic methods are described. The consensus treatment recommendations were established from evidence on the roles of diet and exercise, fiber, laxatives, new drugs (such as prucalopride, lubiprostone, linaclotide, plecanatide), biofeedback therapy, and surgery.

Colonic immune cells in irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Increases in mucosal immune cells have frequently been observed in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. However, this finding is not completely consistent between studies, possibly due to a combination of methodological variability, population differences and small sample sizes. We performed a meta-analysis of case-control studies that compared immune cell counts in colonic biopsies of IBS patients and controls. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched in February 2017. Results were pooled using standardized mean difference (SMD) and were considered significant when zero was not within the 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed based on I2 statistics where I2  ≤ 50% and I2  > 50% indicated fixed and random effect models, respectively. KEY RESULTS: Twenty-two studies on 706 IBS patients and 401 controls were included. Mast cells were increased in the rectosigmoid (SMD: 0.38 [95% CI: 0.06-0.71]; P = .02) and descending colon (SMD: 1.69 [95% CI: 0.65-2.73]; P = .001) of IBS patients. Increased mast cells were observed in both constipation (IBS-C) and diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D). CD3+ T cells were increased in the rectosigmoid (SMD: 0.53 [95% CI: 0.21-0.85]; P = .001) and the descending colon of the IBS patients (SMD: 0.79, 95% CI [0.28-1.30]; P = .002). This was possibly in relation to higher CD4+ T cells in IBS (SMD: 0.33 [95% CI: 0.01-0.65]; P = .04) as there were no differences in CD8+ T cells. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Mast cells and CD3+ T cells are increased in colonic biopsies of patients with IBS vs non-inflamed controls. These changes are segmental and sometimes IBS-subtype dependent. The diagnostic value of the quantification of colonic mucosal cells in IBS requires further investigation.

Clinical experience with the use of anti-CdtB and anti-vinculin antibodies in patients with diarrhea in Mexico. / Experiencia clínica con el uso de los anticuerpos anti-CdtB y anti-vinculina en pacientes con diarrea en México.

INTRODUCTION: Circulating anti-CdtB/anti-vinculin antibodies have been validated as biomarkers to distinguish IBS-D from IBD, but there is no experience with them in Latin America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis was carried out on patients seen at a FGIDs/motility clinic over the last 7 months for diarrhea with abdominal pain and/or bloating who were tested for these antibodies. The patients were diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria or with organic disorders, and those presenting with IBS were further classified as post-infectious (PI) or non-PI-IBS. RESULTS: Thirty patients were studied. Positive biomarkers were found in IBS-D and IBS-D Overlap (58.8%) and IBS-M (33.3%), with no differences between PI-IBS (71.4%) vs. non-PI-IBS (41.7%) subjects (P=.21). There was no positivity in patients with other FGIDs or organic diarrhea, except for one with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of this test as a first-line diagnostic tool to confirm the presence of IBS-D/IBS-M according to the Rome III criteria.

The Mexican consensus on irritable bowel syndrome. / Consenso mexicano sobre el síndrome de intestino irritable.

BACKGROUND: Since the publication in 2009 of the Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología (2009 Guidelines), there have been significant advances in our knowledge of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. AIMS: To present a consensus review of the most current knowledge of IBS, updating the 2009 Guidelines by incorporating new internationally published scientific evidence, with a special interest in Mexican studies. METHODS: The PubMed literature from January 2009 to March 2015 was reviewed and complemented through a manual search. Articles in English and Spanish were included and preference was given to consensuses, guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Statements referring to the different aspects of the disease were formulated and voted upon by 24 gastroenterologists employing the Delphi method. Once a consensus on each statement was reached, the quality of evidence and strength of recommendation were determined through the GRADE system. RESULTS: Forty-eight statements were formulated, updating the information on IBS and adding the complementary data that did not appear in the 2009 Guidelines regarding the importance of exercise and diet, diagnostic strategies, and current therapy alternatives that were analyzed with more stringent scientific vigor or that emerged within the last 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: We present herein a consensus review of the most relevant advances in the study of IBS, updating and complementing the 2009 Guidelines. Several studies conducted in Mexico were included.

Increase in Mexican and Latin American scientific articles on irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There is an implied perception that little scientific information on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) comes out of Mexico and Latin America in the international medical literature, but the number and tendencies of articles from the region on IBS are not known. AIMS: To determine the number and type of Mexican and Latin American articles on IBS published between 1990-2015. METHODS: A systematic search of Medline was carried out employing the terms « Irritable Bowel Syndrome ¼ or its abbreviation (IBS). Mexico and every other Latin American country were added to specify the search. The articles were selected if they were published in Mexico and/or the rest of Latin America, if they were international papers on IBS in the region, or if they were written by Mexican and/or Latin American authors. In addition, the articles were classified into the following categories: Reviews/Editorials/Letters to the Editor (REV/ED), Epidemiology/Quality of Life/Psychosocial Factors (EPI/QOL), Diagnostic (DX), Treatment (TX), and Translational/Pathophysiologic (TRANS) studies. RESULTS: A total of 66 articles from Mexico and 47 from Latin America were identified, but only 87.7 and 48.9%, respectively, fit the selection criteria. Category distribution was: EPI/QOL: 36.2%, REV/ED: 27.5%, TRANS: 18.8, TX: 10%, and DX: 7.5% and was similar between Mexico and Latin America (p=0.33). The year 2005 saw an increase in the number of articles in Mexico, with a peak in 2010. The figures for Latin American articles remained stable over the years, with a peak in 2012. CONCLUSIONS: A noticeable increase has been observed over the last decade in the research conducted on IBS in Mexico and Latin America. Even though the EPI/QOL studies predominate, the sophistication of research is reflected in the TRANS studies that are in third place of frequency. The information referred to herein demonstrates maturity in the field, making it possible to carry out consensuses based on local data.

A cross-cultural investigation of attachment style, catastrophizing, negative pain beliefs, and symptom severity in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Little information exists regarding whether psychosocial variables in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) vary by geographic location. Adult attachment is an important psychological concept rooted in childhood relationship experience that has not been previously studied in IBS. Catastrophizing and negative pain beliefs have been described in IBS and may be affected by attachment. AIMS: In this cross-cultural study, we determined: (i) whether attachment differs between IBS patients and controls, (ii) whether geographic location has a significant effect on attachment style, catastrophizing and negative pain beliefs, and (iii) how all three variables correlate with IBS symptom severity. METHODS: 463 IBS patients, with moderate to severe symptom scores, and 192 healthy controls completed validated questionnaires about attachment, catastrophizing, negative pain beliefs and IBS-SSS in nine locations, USA (New York, Los Angeles), Mexico, Italy (Rome, Bari), Romania, Iran, India, and China. KEY RESULTS: Attachment anxiety and avoidance scores were significantly higher in IBS patients than in controls (p < 0.001). This was particularly true for the fearful-avoidant attachment category, especially in China and Romania. Path analysis showed that attachment anxiety and avoidance had indirect effects on IBS-SSS through catastrophizing (p < 0.0001) and negative pain beliefs (p = 0.005). All three psychosocial measures varied significantly depending on location. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: In the IBS population studied, attachment style was significantly different in IBS compared to a control population. Geographic differences in attachment, catastrophizing and negative pain beliefs were documented and their correlation with symptom severity and thus, research of psychosocial variables in IBS should take into account the location of the population studied.

Conducting multinational, cross-cultural research in the functional gastrointestinal disorders: issues and recommendations. A Rome Foundation working team report.

BACKGROUND: Cross-cultural, multinational research can advance the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Cross-cultural comparative research can make a significant contribution in areas such as epidemiology, genetics, psychosocial modulators, symptom reporting and interpretation, extra-intestinal co-morbidity, diagnosis and treatment, determinants of disease severity, health care utilisation, and health-related quality of life, all issues that can be affected by geographical region, culture, ethnicity and race. AIMS: To identify methodological challenges for cross-cultural, multinational research, and suggest possible solutions. METHODS: This report, which summarises the full report of a working team established by the Rome Foundation that is available on the Internet, reflects an effort by an international committee of FGID clinicians and researchers. It is based on comprehensive literature reviews and expert opinion. RESULTS: Cross-cultural, multinational research is important and feasible, but has barriers to successful implementation. This report contains recommendations for future research relating to study design, subject recruitment, availability of appropriate study instruments, translation and validation of study instruments, documenting confounders, statistical analyses and reporting of results. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in study design and methodology, as well as cross-cultural research competence, have not matched technological advancements. The development of multinational research networks and cross-cultural research collaboration is still in its early stages. This report is intended to be aspirational rather than prescriptive, so we present recommendations, not guidelines. We aim to raise awareness of these issues and to pose higher standards, but not to discourage investigators from doing what is feasible in any particular setting.

A four-country comparison of healthcare systems, implementation of diagnostic criteria, and treatment availability for functional gastrointestinal disorders: a report of the Rome Foundation Working Team on cross-cultural, multinational research.

BACKGROUND: Variations in healthcare provision around the world may impact how patients with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGIDs) are investigated, diagnosed, and treated. However, these differences have not been reviewed. PURPOSES: The Multinational Working Team of the Rome Foundation, established to make recommendations on the conduct of multinational, cross-cultural research in FGIDs, identified seven key issues that are analyzed herein: (i) coverage afforded by different healthcare systems/providers; (ii) level of the healthcare system where patients with FGIDs are treated; (iii) extent/types of diagnostic procedures typically undertaken to diagnose FGIDs; (iv) physicians' familiarity with and implementation of the Rome diagnostic criteria in clinical practice; (v) range of medications approved for FGIDs and approval process for new agents; (vi) costs involved in treating FGIDs; and (vii) prevalence and role of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) for FGIDs. Because it was not feasible to survey all countries around the world, we compared a selected number of countries based on their geographical and ethno-cultural diversity. Thus, we included Italy and South Korea as representative of nations with broad-based coverage of healthcare in the population and India and Mexico as newly industrialized countries where there may be limited provision of healthcare for substantial segments of the population. In light of the paucity of formal publications on these issues, we included additional sources from the medical literature as well as perspectives provided by local experts and the media. Finally, we provide future directions on healthcare issues that should be taken into account and implemented when conducting cross-cultural and multinational research in FGIDs.

Microbiota, gastrointestinal infections, low-grade inflammation, and antibiotic therapy in irritable bowel syndrome: an evidence-based review.

BACKGROUND: Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) prevalence, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), altered microbiota, low-grade inflammation, and antibiotic therapy in IBS are all controversial issues. AIMS: To conduct an evidence-based review of these factors. METHODS: A review of the literature was carried out up to July 2012, with the inclusion of additional articles as far as August 2013, all of which were analyzed through the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) system. RESULTS: 1.There is greater SIBO probability in IBS when breath tests are performed, but prevalence varies widely (2-84%). 2.The gut microbiota in individuals with IBS is different from that in healthy subjects, but a common characteristic present in all the patients has not been established. 3.The incidence and prevalence of PI-IBS varies from 9-10% and 3-17%, respectively, and the latter decreases over time. Bacterial etiology is the most frequent but post-viral and parasitic cases have been reported. 4.A sub-group of patients has increased enterochromaffin cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes, and mast cells in the intestinal mucosa, but no differences between PI-IBS and non-PI-IBS have been determined. 5.Methanogenic microbiota has been associated with IBS with constipation. 6.Rifaximin at doses of 400mg TID/10days or 550mg TID/14days is effective treatment for the majority of overall symptoms and abdominal bloating in IBS. Retreatment effectiveness appears to be similar to that of the first cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are required to determine the nature of the gut microbiota in IBS and the differences in low-grade inflammation between PI-IBS and non-PI-IBS. Rifaximin has shown itself to be effective treatment for IBS, regardless of prior factors.

Cytokine imbalance in irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder of unknown etiology; although infection and inflammation have recently been considered as important etiologic agents. A recent meta-analysis showed correlations between cytokine [interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)] gene polymorphisms and IBS; however, it is still unknown whether patients with IBS have different cytokine profiles compared to healthy population. METHODS: To determine the relationships between serum/plasma levels or mucosal expression of IL-10/TNF-α and IBS, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis based on case-control studies retrieved from PubMed and EMBASE search through August 2013. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was generated by using the inverse variance method. Heterogeneity was assessed based on I(2) values. KEY RESULTS: Serum/plasma levels of TNF-α tended to be higher in IBS vs controls (p = 0.09); this reached significance in IBS subtypes vs controls and in female patients with IBS. However, serum/plasma levels of IL-10 were not significantly different in IBS patients vs controls. Further analysis of serum/plasma IL-10 levels in IBS subtypes did not show any difference; however, analysis based on gender showed a significantly lower serum/plasma IL-10 levels in male patients with IBS vs male controls (p = 0.02). Colonic IL-10 mRNA had a significantly lower expression in IBS vs control (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: There is an imbalance of proinflammatory TNF-α, and anti-inflammatory IL-10, cytokines in IBS. Stratifying IBS patients based on cytokine profile may represent an opportunity for personalized treatment of this condition.

Irritable bowel syndrome-type symptoms in female patients with mild systemic lupus erythematosus: frequency, related factors and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) impairs quality of life (HRQOL), as does systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both are more common in women and are associated with fibromyalgia (FM). However, the relationship between IBS and SLE and its impact on HRQOL has not been explored. Therefore, we aimed to study the frequency and features likely to influence the presence of IBS-type symptoms in SLE and their impact on HRQOL. METHODS: Female patients with SLE were studied. The presence of IBS-type symptoms and bowel habit subtype were established by Rome III criteria and HRQOL was assessed using the SF-36. Fibromyalgia and depression were assessed using the American College of Rheumatology criteria and CES-D scale, respectively. KEY RESULTS: A total of 105 consecutive patients (43.62 ± 11.34 years old) were included; 48.6% had IBS-type symptoms (SLE+IBS) and were classified as IBS-C: 23.5%, IBS-D: 37.3%, and IBS-M: 39.2%. In addition, 23.8% had FM. SLE+IBS vs Non-IBS SLE patients had higher SLE activity scores (2.55 ± 1.65 vs 1.74 ± 2.19; p = 0.03), were more likely to have FM (33.0% vs 14.8%; p = 0.02) and depression (41.1% vs 25.9%, p = 0.04). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that IBS-type symptoms were associated with FM (OR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.11-7.43) and depression (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.13). Finally, SLE+IBS vs Non-IBS SLE patients had lower SF-36 scores (49.65 ± 18.57 vs 62.67 ± 18.14; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: IBS-type symptoms are highly prevalent among women with SLE and are associated with FM and depression. SLE+IBS patients had worse HRQOL vs Non-IBS SLE, independently of FM status. We suggest that treating IBS symptoms may improve HRQOL in women with SLE.