Clinical Practice Guideline: irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and functional constipation in the adult

In this Clinical Practice Guideline we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of adult patients with constipation and abdominal complaints at the confluence of the irritable bowel syndrome spectrum and functional constipation. Both conditions are included among the functional bowel disorders, and have a significant personal, healthcare, and social impact, affecting the quality of life of the patients who suffer from them. The first one is the irritable bowel syndrome subtype, where constipation represents the predominant complaint, in association with recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and abdominal distension. Constipation is characterized by difficulties with or low frequency of bowel movements, often accompanied by straining during defecation or a feeling of incomplete evacuation. Most cases have no underlying medical cause, and are therefore considered as a functional bowel disorder. There are many clinical and pathophysiological similarities between both disorders, and both respond similarly to commonly used drugs, their primary difference being the presence or absence of pain, albeit not in an "all or nothing" manner. Severity depends not only upon bowel symptom intensity but also upon other biopsychosocial factors (association of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, grade of involvement, and perception and behavior variants). Functional bowel disorders are diagnosed using the Rome criteria. This Clinical Practice Guideline has been made consistent with the Rome IV criteria, which were published late in May 2016, and discuss alarm criteria, diagnostic tests, and referral criteria between Primary Care and gastroenterology settings. Furthermore, all the available treatment options (exercise, fluid ingestion, diet with soluble fiber-rich foods, fiber supplementation, other dietary components, osmotic or stimulating laxatives, probiotics, antibiotics, spasmolytics, peppermint essence, prucalopride, linaclotide, lubiprostone, biofeedback, antidepressants, psychological therapy, acupuncture, enemas, sacral root neurostimulation, surgery) are discussed, and practical recommendations are made regarding each of them.

Effectiveness of inulin intake on indicators of chronic constipation; a meta-analysis of controlled randomized clinical trials

Background: Constipation is an intestinal dysfunction. Prebiotics, such as inulin, can improve bowel function by positively influencing intestinal biota. Aim: To analyze the scientific evidence for the role of inulin in improving bowel function in patients with chronic constipation. Methods: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials was conducted, grounded on a literature search for the period 1995-2013 (descriptors: inulin & constipation) on PubMed, ScieLo and Central Trials Register Cochrane databases. A total of 24 articles were found, 5 of them were selected for this meta-analysis, involving 252 subjects (experimental group: n = 144, control group: n = 108). The quality of the studies was assessed using the Jadad scale. Results: We found a significant overall effect of inulin on stool frequency (DEM = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.04, 1.34), stool consistency (Bristol scale) (DEM = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.70, 1.45), transit time (DEM = -0.57, 95% CI: -0.99, -0.15) and hardness of stool (RR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.70). Pain and bloating do not improve with inulin intake. Conclusions: inulin intake has a positive effect on bowel function.

Outcomes of a general hospital-based Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) program: report of our experience from a 26-year period

Background: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) was introduced in Spain in the late 1980s. Our hospital was a pioneering medical centre in this field. Aim: Analyze outcomes of our HPN program. Methods: Retrospective study of patients receiving HPN between 1986-2012. Study variables are expressed as frequency, mean ± SD (range), median [interquartile range]. Parametrics, non-parametrics test and survival analysis (p < 0.05) were applied. Results: 91 patients (55 females and 36 males, mean age: 50.6 ± 5 yrs.) who received HPN for an accrual period of 55,470 days (median: 211 days [range: 63-573]) were included. The most prevalent underlying condition was cancer (49.5%), with the commonest HPN indication being short bowel syndrome (41.1%). The most frequently used catheter type was the tunneled catheter (70.7%). The complication rate was 3.58/1,000 HPN days (2.68, infection; 0.07, occlusion; 0.07 thrombosis; and 0.59, metabolic complications). Complications were consistently associated with both the underlying condition and HPN length. Infections were most frequent within the first 1,000 days of HPN. Liver disease incidence was related to HPN duration. HPN could be discontinued in 42.3% of patients. Ten-year survival rate was 42%, and varied across the underlying conditions. Conclusions: In the present series, the commonest reason for HPN was cancer. Our complication rate is in keeping with that reported in the literature. The overall survival rate was 42%, and varied across the underlying conditions.

Nivel de ansiedad del paciente de enfermedad inflamatoria crónica intestinal en tratamiento con granulocitoaféresis

La ansiedad desarrollada en las personas que se enfrentan a tratamientos en el medio hospitalario produce un efecto negativo pudiendo perjudicar el correcto desarrollo de la terapia. El presente trabajo ha consistido en evaluar la ansiedad (Código NANDA:000146) de una muestra de pacientes con Enfermedad Inflamatoria Crónica Intestinal (EICI) sometidos a tratamiento con Granulocitoaféresis realizado con Adacolumn®, respecto al número de sesiones recibidas en la sala de donantes del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Canarias (CHUC) de forma ambulatoria y en un entorno nuevo reservado para dicha terapia. En 2012, se acondicionó un espacio de la sala de donantes de sangre y se formó al personal de enfermería en la realización de este tratamiento. Este trabajo se ha realizado por el método de estudio observacional descriptivo retrospectivo, la muestra recogida fueron el total de los pacientes que se sometieron a este tratamiento en nuestro servicio por medio de entrevistas telefónicas llevadas a cabo por enfermería. Se deduce que las condiciones ambientales de sala influyen en la disminución del nivel de ansiedad del paciente, favoreciendo la calidad asistencial, a la vez no hay relación entre el número de sesiones del tratamiento y nivel de ansiedad que manifestaron los pacientes, se definen la venopunción y el ingreso hospitalario como parámetros que producen más ansiedad. Se deben estudiar mejoras en el futuro para seguir aumentando la calidad asistencial de estos pacientes, disminuyendo la ansiedad producida ante el peligro percibido de la terapia y así tener una mayor respuesta positiva al tratamiento.

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal

Fundamento. Determinar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en pacientes con enfermedad de Crohn y colitis ulcerosa, así como evaluar las diferencias en función del sexo, tipo de enfermedad y otras variables sociodemográficas. Método. Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en 100 pacientes atendidos en el servicio de Digestivo del Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra. Se empleó un cuestionario con variables sociodemográficas y clínicas, además del Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire-32, en su versión adaptada al castellano, para medir la calidad de vida. Resultados. La media de la puntuación total del cuestionario de calidad vida es de 166 puntos (D.T.=40,06) sobre un máximo de 232. Se han hallado diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del tipo de enfermedad (p=0,005) y el sexo (p=0,001). Conclusiones. Las personas con enfermedad de Crohn o sexo femenino perciben peor calidad de vida relacionada con la salud respecto a pacientes con colitis ulcerosa u hombres.

Atypical diagnosis by endoscopic capsule: Whipple's disease

Whipple's disease is a chronic systemic infection produced by the actinomycete Tropheryma whipplei. Endoscopic tests are key in the diagnosis as they allow biopsy and histopathological examination for definitive diagnosis of this entity. We present a case of Whipple's disease where capsule endoscopy, uncommon for the diagnosis of this condition, was essential for it and its performance before and after antibiotic treatment allows to describe the macroscopic evolution of the findings in the small bowel. This case illustrates the usefulness of capsule endoscopy to allow complete examination of the small bowel disease in which up to 30% of patients may present with normal endoscopy.

Management of the clinical issue of constipation with abdominal complaints in adults: a national survey of Primary Care physicians and gastroenterologists

Irritable bowel syndrome and functional constipation represent a relevant and common health issue. However, real-world clinical practice includes patients with constipation who may or may not have other abdominal complaints (pain, bloating, abdominal discomfort) with variable frequency. The goal of the present study was to obtain information on the workload entailed by patients with constipation and associated abdominal complaints, predominant clinical behaviors, education needs, and potential daily practice aids both in Primary Care and gastroenterology settings. The clinical behavior of doctors is generally similar at both levels, despite differences in healthcare approach: use of empiric therapies and clinically guided diagnostic tests, with some differences in colonoscopy use (not always directly accessible from Primary Care). Regarding perceptions, general support and osmotic laxatives are most valued by PC doctors, whereas osmotic laxatives, combined laxatives, and linaclotide are most valued by GE specialists. Furthermore, over half of respondents considered differentiating both diagnoses as challenging. Finally, considerable education needs are self-acknowledged at both levels, as is a demand for guidelines and protocols to help in managing this issue in clinical practice. A strength of this study is its providing a joint photograph of the medical approach and the perceptions of constipation with abdominal discomfort from a medical standpoint. Weaknesses include self-declaration (no formal validation) and a response rate potentially biased by professional motivation.