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Surgery For Obesity and Related... May 2023Gastroparesis is a gastric motility disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying. It is a rare disease and difficult to treat effectively; management is a dilemma... (Review)
Review
Gastroparesis is a gastric motility disorder characterized by delayed gastric emptying. It is a rare disease and difficult to treat effectively; management is a dilemma for gastroenterologists and surgeons alike. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate current diagnostic tools as well as treatment options. We describe key elements in the pathophysiology of the disease, in addition to current evidence on treatment alternatives, including nutritional considerations, medical and surgical options, and related outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Gastroparesis; Surgeons; Gastric Emptying
PubMed: 37080885
DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2023.02.018 -
International Journal of Clinical... Dec 2021Gastrointestinal complications of COVID-19 have been reported over the last year. One such manifestation is bowel ischaemia. This study thus aims to provide a more... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal complications of COVID-19 have been reported over the last year. One such manifestation is bowel ischaemia. This study thus aims to provide a more holistic review of our current understanding of COVID-19-induced bowel ischaemia.
METHOD AND RESULTS
A meticulous search was performed using different keywords in PubMed and Google Scholar. Fifty-two articles were included in our study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and performing the qualitative assessment of the studies. A total of 25 702 patients were included in our study after the completion of the qualitative assessment.
DISCUSSION
The common symptoms of GIT in COVID-19 patients are as diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. The mechanism of bowel ischaemia is associated with the formation of emboli which is related to COVID-19's high affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 on enterocytes, affecting the superior mesenteric vessels. Clinically, patients present with abdominal pain and vomiting. CT angiography of the abdomen and pelvis showed acute intestinal ischaemia (mesenteric). Management is usually initiated with gastric decompression, fluid resuscitation, and haemodynamic support. Surgical intervention is also sought.
CONCLUSION
Intestinal ischaemia presenting in patients with COVID-19 has to be considered when symptoms of severe abdominal pain are present. More research and guidelines are required to triage patients with COVID-19 to suspect intestinal ischaemia and to help in diagnosis and management.
Topics: COVID-19; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Ischemia; Mesenteric Ischemia; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34605117
DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14930 -
Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery Mar 2022Composite phaeochromocytoma is a tumour containing a separate tumour of neuronal origin in addition to a chromaffin cell tumour. This study reports on two cases from a... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Composite phaeochromocytoma is a tumour containing a separate tumour of neuronal origin in addition to a chromaffin cell tumour. This study reports on two cases from a single centre's records and presents a systematic literature review of composite phaeochromocytomas.
METHODS
In addition to describing 2 case reports, a systematic search of the Medline database from inception up to April 2020 was done for human case reports on composite phaeochromocytomas. Relevant titles and/or abstracts were screened, and full texts were reviewed to identify appropriate studies. Data was extracted and a descriptive analysis of presentation, clinical features, management strategies and outcomes was performed. The quality of included studies was assessed using a critical appraisal checklist.
RESULTS
There were 62 studies included, with a total of 94 patients. Of 91 patients where data was available, the median (range) age of patients was 48 (4-86) years. Of 90 patients where information was provided, 57% were female. In at least 28% of patients, a genetic cause was identified. Common presenting features include abdominal pain, palpable mass, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common tumour component with phaeochromocytoma is ganglioneuroma; other components include ganglioneuroblastoma, neuroblastoma and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours. In patients with follow-up data (n=48), 85% of patients were alive and well at a median (range) follow-up time of 18 (0.5-168) months.
CONCLUSION
Composite phaeochromocytoma is a rare tumour, with a significant genetic predisposition. This review summarises available epidemiological data, which will be useful for clinicians managing this rare condition.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Pheochromocytoma
PubMed: 33651160
DOI: 10.1007/s00423-021-02129-5 -
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Oct 2023We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics and synbiotics in childhood functional constipation. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND & AIM
We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics and synbiotics in childhood functional constipation.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) were searched up to June 2023. Randomized controlled trials involving children diagnosed with FC with Rome III/IV criteria were included. Treatment success, defecation frequency, stool consistency, painful defecation, fecal incontinence, and adverse events were assessed as outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) and standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for dichotomous and continuous variables as appropriate. Cochrane risk-of-bias tool version 2 assessed the risk of bias.
RESULTS
Seventeen RCTs with 1504 patients were included. Compared to placebo, probiotics significantly improved defecation frequency (SMD 0.40, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.70, I = 0%) and fecal incontinence (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.96, I = 0%). However, it did not significantly improve treatment success, painful defecation, and abdominal pain. Probiotics, as add-on therapy, failed to yield a significant difference in treatment success (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.15 to 4.48, I = 52%), defecation frequency (SMD 0.13, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.39, I = 0%), defecation consistency (SMD -0.01, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.38, I = 1%), fecal incontinence (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.90, I = 0%), and abdominal pain (OR, 0.60, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.53, I = 0%) versus laxatives monotherapy. Synbiotics plus laxatives showed no significant effect on defecation frequency (SMD -0.57; 95% CI -1.29 to 0.14, I = 74%) and painful defecation (OR, 3.39; 95% CI 0.74 to 15.55, I = 0%) versus laxatives alone.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence did not advocate using probiotics and synbiotics in treating functional constipation in children. At this time, the effects of strain-specific probiotics, probiotics mixtures, and the optimal doses and treatment durations of the probiotics and synbiotics were unclear. Additional rigorous evidence is required to evaluate and establish the effectiveness and safety of probiotics and synbiotics for childhood functional constipation.
PROSPERO ID
CRD42020195869.
Topics: Child; Humans; Laxatives; Synbiotics; Fecal Incontinence; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Constipation; Probiotics; Abdominal Pain
PubMed: 37625312
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.08.015 -
Journal of the American Association of... Sep 2022Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition, and most individuals self-treat with multiple over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives prior to consulting a health...
Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal condition, and most individuals self-treat with multiple over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives prior to consulting a health care provider. This brief report is a synopsis of an updated systematic review the authors conducted of published data on the efficacy and safety of OTC treatments to provide evidence-based recommendations. After applying the selection criteria, 41 randomized controlled clinical trials of ≥ 4-week duration were identified and analyzed. Standardized definitions of constipation were applied across these studies; however, definitions for stool frequency and consistency varied. Overall, the short- and long-term efficacy of polyethylene glycol-based preparations and senna were supported by good (grade A) evidence suggesting their use as first-line laxatives. Modest evidence (grade B) supported the use of other agents including the stimulants bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate, fiber, fruit-based laxatives, and magnesium oxide. Additional evidence from rigorously designed studies is needed to support the use of other options for chronic constipation. The OTC products studied were generally well tolerated with common adverse effects being abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and nausea.
Topics: Constipation; Dietary Fiber; Humans; Laxatives; Nonprescription Drugs; Polyethylene Glycols; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35943487
DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000760 -
Anticancer Research Jun 2022Adverse events (AEs) in cancer trials may be caused by the investigational agents or the underlying disease. Determining the causality is challenging, especially in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/AIM
Adverse events (AEs) in cancer trials may be caused by the investigational agents or the underlying disease. Determining the causality is challenging, especially in early cancer drug development when a control arm is lacking.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We carried out a systematic literature review of AE frequencies in placebo arms of randomized trials for malignant solid tumors and hematologic malignancies reported in PubMed from 2016 to January 2022.
RESULTS
Among 148 placebo arms, the AEs with the highest reported mean frequencies among all publications were: Fatigue (20.1%), nausea (16.3%), diarrhea (14.3%), abdominal pain (12.4%), and anemia (10.9%); AEs resulting in drug discontinuation were reported in 5.6% of placebo-treated patients and serious AEs in 18.7% of placebo patients.
CONCLUSION
The data presented here may be used as a benchmark to help assess drug causality in early development cancer studies without a control arm.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Fatigue; Humans; Nausea; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35641292
DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.15761 -
PloS One 2023Persistent symptoms are reported in patients who survive the initial stage of COVID-19, often referred to as "long COVID" or "post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Persistent symptoms are reported in patients who survive the initial stage of COVID-19, often referred to as "long COVID" or "post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection" (PASC); however, evidence on their incidence is still lacking, and symptoms relevant to pain are yet to be assessed.
METHODS
A literature search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and CHINAL and preprint servers MedRχiv and BioRχiv through January 15, 2021. The primary outcome was pain-related symptoms such as headache or myalgia. Secondary outcomes were symptoms relevant to pain (depression or muscle weakness) and symptoms frequently reported (anosmia and dyspnea). Incidence rates of symptoms were pooled using inverse variance methods with a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. The source of heterogeneity was explored using meta-regression, with follow-up period, age and sex as covariates.
RESULTS
In total, 38 studies including 19,460 patients were eligible. Eight pain-related symptoms and 26 other symptoms were identified. The highest pooled incidence among pain-related symptoms was chest pain (17%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 11%-24%), followed by headache (16%, 95% CI, 9%-27%), arthralgia (13%, 95% CI, 7%-24%), neuralgia (12%, 95% CI, 3%-38%) and abdominal pain (11%, 95% CI, 7%-16%). The highest pooled incidence among other symptoms was fatigue (44%, 95% CI, 32%-57%), followed by insomnia (27%, 95% CI, 10%-55%), dyspnea (26%, 95% CI, 17%-38%), weakness (25%, 95% CI, 8%-56%) and anosmia (19%, 95% CI, 13%-27%). Substantial heterogeneity was identified (I2, 50-100%). Meta-regression analyses partially accounted for the source of heterogeneity, and yet, 53% of the symptoms remained unexplained.
CONCLUSIONS
The current meta-analysis may provide a complete picture of incidence in PASC. It remains unclear, however, whether post-COVID symptoms progress or regress over time or to what extent PASC are associated with age or sex.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Incidence; Anosmia; SARS-CoV-2; Headache; Dyspnea
PubMed: 38019841
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250909 -
Cureus Apr 2022The estimated frequency of spontaneous miscarriage is about a quarter of all clinically identified pregnancies in the United States. Women typically go to the emergency... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The estimated frequency of spontaneous miscarriage is about a quarter of all clinically identified pregnancies in the United States. Women typically go to the emergency department (ED) or outpatient clinic when they experience symptoms, including but not limited to vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and contractions. The care that is provided varies from place to place.
METHODS
Researchers searched articles from 2010 to 2021 for reports mentioning treatment for spontaneous abortion. Search terms included "miscarriage aftercare" and "spontaneous abortion care," seeking articles addressing the psychological effects of miscarriage and reporting patient experiences in different clinical settings. Data were independently reviewed, graded for evidence quality, and assessed for risk bias using the AMSTAR checklist.
RESULTS
The search strategy yielded 2,275 articles, six of which met the inclusion criteria. Conservative, medical, and surgical management were provided, with surgical management being more common among women with higher education and socioeconomic status. All qualitative studies reported dissatisfaction with care provided in the emergency department, partially due to a lack of emotional support. Structured bereavement intervention was beneficial for women experiencing early pregnancy loss and led to fewer reports of despair. The quantitative studies referenced interventions that aided patients in coping with pregnancy loss and identified several factors influencing the type of treatment received as well as the patient's ability to cope with feeling depressed following a miscarriage.
CONCLUSION
Psychological management is not regularly addressed in the emergency department, and protocols including bereavement education for healthcare providers as well as patient involvement in management would improve the overall patient experience with spontaneous miscarriage care.
PubMed: 35602780
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24269 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases Aug 2023It is common for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to occur in the gastrointestinal tract, which can present itself as an initial...
BACKGROUND
It is common for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to occur in the gastrointestinal tract, which can present itself as an initial symptom. The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is often reflected in the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms. COVID-19 can damage the nerve supply to the digestive system, leading to gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction. There is still much to learn about how COVID-19 affects the autonomic nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.
AIM
To thoroughly explore the epidemiology and clinical aspects of COVID-19-induced gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction, including its manifestations, potential mechanisms, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, impact on quality of life, prognosis, and management and prevention strategies.
METHODS
We conducted a thorough systematic search across various databases and performed an extensive literature review. Our review encompassed 113 studies published in English from January 2000 to April 18, 2023.
RESULTS
According to most of the literature, gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction can seriously affect a patient's quality of life and ultimate prognosis. Numerous factors can influence gastrointestinal autonomic nervous functions. Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 has a well-documented affinity for both neural and gastrointestinal tissues, and the virus can produce various gastrointestinal symptoms by reaching neural tissues through different pathways. These symptoms include anorexia, dysgeusia, heartburn, belching, chest pain, regurgitation, vomiting, epigastric burn, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, irregular bowel movements, and constipation. Diarrhea is the most prevalent symptom, followed by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Although COVID-19 vaccination may rarely induce autonomic dysfunction and gastrointestinal symptoms, COVID-19-induced autonomic effects significantly impact the patient's condition, general health, prognosis, and quality of life. Early diagnosis and proper recognition are crucial for improving outcomes. It is important to consider the differential diagnosis, as these symptoms may be induced by diseases other than COVID-19-induced autonomic dysfunction. Treating this dysfunction can be a challenging task.
CONCLUSION
To ensure the best possible outcomes for COVID-19 patients, it is essential to take a multidisciplinary approach involving providing supportive care, treating the underlying infection, managing dysfunction, monitoring for complications, and offering nutritional support. Close monitoring of the patient's condition is crucial, and prompt intervention should be taken if necessary. Furthermore, conducting thorough research on the gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction caused by COVID-19 is vital to manage it effectively.
PubMed: 37621592
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i22.5252 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Nov 2023Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are frequently used in the emergency and general practice settings in several clinical presentations linked to acute upper gastro-intestinal... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) are frequently used in the emergency and general practice settings in several clinical presentations linked to acute upper gastro-intestinal tract disorders as abdominal or chest pain without recommendations.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this scoping review was to assess pain reduction, diagnostic performance, and safety in the first 24 h-management in primary care or emergency medicine.
METHODS
Search was realized by 2 independent reviewers in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Only original articles or systematic reviews in English were included. Studies about chronic and/or bleeding conditions, therapeutic cocktails and studies without pain evaluation were excluded. Two methodologies were used for bias estimation.
RESULTS
From 4442 titles, 79 full-text articles were assessed, and 9 were included. There is no strong evidence supporting the use of PPI as a first line analgesic or diagnostic test in acute syndromes linked to acute upper gastro-intestinal tract disorder. A small effect in pain reduction was retrieved in patients with low pain scores. A poor additional value in patients with gastric reflux, and a low specificity compared to other diagnostic tests were observed. A short-term PPI administration appears to be safe with low risk of serious allergic reactions, and poor adverse effects (moderate evidence).
CONCLUSION
Although PPIs may contribute to the multimodal analgesia in acute settings, with few and/or minor side effects, no recommendation can be drawn for their use as a primary analgesic. Data regarding the relevance of the PPI test are much less clear, no data regarding care pathways are available.
Topics: Humans; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Acute Disease; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Pain; Analgesics
PubMed: 37742610
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115523