Gastroenterology

As more than 60 percent of women with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) also exhibit abdominal pain consistent with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, two researchers in the neural and pain sciences department of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, in Baltimore, have developed a model to better illustrate the two conditions' comorbidity.

Though the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) is commonly applied in large Crohn's disease clinical trials to distinguish symptoms resulting from inflammation, a study published online Feb. 21 in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics demonstrated the index does not differentiate between active Crohn's disease patients and patients with the non-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Switching from oral administration of the non-ergoline dopamine agonist, rotigotine, to a transdermal delivery system may improve gastrointestinal symptoms for patients with Parkinson's disease.

Several studies recently have looked at the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and increased pain sensitivity.

Clinical trials have shown that probiotics are somewhat effective as therapy for irritable bowel syndrome, but many of the studies have been short-term and of poor quality.

Because the two conditions share similar symptoms, patients with IBS often misinterpret gastrointestinal symptoms and self-diagnose as lactose intolerant.

Study shows subtype of human stem cells can survive in the intestine and help replenish inflamed or damaged tissue.

Researchers report that certain classes of comorbidities increase mortality risk in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding, but the presence of any comorbidities also affects mortality risk.

A retrospective review of records from a large medical database finds that patients with sleep apnea face a substantially higher risk of developing peptic ulcer.

Patients with refractory IBS who incorporated weekly sessions of gut-directed hypnotherapy into their treatment report significant long-term improvements in quality of life.

Researchers report that skin patch testing for specific foods and additives that can cause IBS symptoms can help patients eliminate those foods from their diet and improve their IBS symptoms.

A roundup of brief summaries of news and research about irritable bowel syndrome.

A multidisciplinary research project aims to create a large IBS biobank and create uniform standards and guidelines to aid in the study of IBS and other functional GI disorders.

Study results show patients with IBS who drink four or more alcoholic drinks in one day may be more likely to experience diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion the next day.

The most important treatment outcome in hepatitis C is sustained virological response, due to its impact on reducing the risks of liver-related mortality, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic decompensation. The degree of baseline liver disease, IL28B genotype, and HCV genotype are important determinants of response to treatment.

The goal of IBS management should be to improve overall symptoms, including altered stool frequency and consistency, abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, and quality of life.

Adequate daily fiber intake confers multiple health benefits, including improved management of irritable bowel syndrome.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fastest rising cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, there are several stages along the way from healthy liver to malignant transformation that offer opportunities for detection and intervention.

Researchers have identified several mutations of genes that could predispose someone to chronic pancreatitis, while thinking has also changed when it comes to treating the pain associated with this chronic condition.

Autoimmune hepatitis often responds well to steroid therapy but identifying the disease and the best approach to management is filled with complexities.

Research has shown that patients with hereditary colorectal syndromes such as Lynch syndrome, adenomatous polyposis, and hamartomatous polyposis have a much higher likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.

With celiac disease becoming more prevalent, especially in adults, what are the most effective approaches to testing patients for this disease, and are there effective management strategies that can be used in conjunction with a gluten-free diet?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are effective in many patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but up to half of patients do not experience symptom relief with these medications.

Expert advice from the 2013 AGA-ASGE Clinical Congress of Gastroenterology and Hepatology on managing diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and other symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Linzess (linaclotide capsules) was approved in August 2012 by the FDA as a once-daily treatment for adult men and women suffering from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

The xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel can simultaneously detect 11 common viral, bacterial, and parasitic causes of infectious gastroenteritis from a single patient sample.

Treatment with synthetic stool may produce better results and improve safety in patients with C. difficile infection that does not respond to standard therapy.

Recent study results suggest that treatment that includes patient education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other psycho-social modalities can help reduce symptom severity and improve quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Intestinal microbiota transplant is a viable option for patients with C. diff infection who have not responded to conventional treatment.

Recent research shows that approximately 1.8 million Americans have celiac disease, but 1.4 million of them are unaware that they have the disorder. In addition, 1.6 million Americans observe a gluten-free diet despite not being diagnosed with the condition.