Treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders with antidepressant medications: a meta-analysis

Global Research Trends and Hotspots Analysis of the Scientific Production of Amitriptyline: A Bibliometric Approach

Amitriptyline was first introduced as a medication to treat depression. Over time, this substance has been used to treat other conditions, such as gastrointestinal disorders, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and analgesia, among others. However, there are no published studies that provide a broad view of the possible motivations that have led to changes in the use of amitriptyline. In this study, we have identified the landscape of use for amitriptyline based on knowledge mapping of the 100 most-cited articles about this drug. We searched Web of Science Core Collection without time and language restrictions. We obtained 14,446 results, but we only used the 100 most-cited articles that had amitriptyline as the object of study. We collected the following information from each article: authors, country of the corresponding authors, year of publication, citation count, citation density (number of citations per year), and keywords. In addition, we seek to map in the chosen articles study design and research findings. We found that since 1980, the use of amitriptyline has expanded beyond depression, moving to off-label use to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, including post-herpetic neuralgia, neuropathic pain, primary fibrosis, fibromyalgia, and migraine, can be considered a drug with more clinical applicability than its original clinical indication.

Efficacy and safety of the herbal formula Naesohwajung-tang for functional dyspepsia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial

Background: Current treatment and management options for functional dyspepsia (FD) often fail to alleviate symptoms. Naesohwajung-tang (NHT) is a herbal formula frequently used to treat functional dyspepsia in traditional Korean medicine. However, few animal and case reports on the use of Naesohwajung-tang for functional dyspepsia treatment exist, and the clinical evidence remains deficient. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Naesohwajung-tang in patients with functional dyspepsia. Methods: We enrolled 116 patients with functional dyspepsia at two study sites in this 4 weeks, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and randomly assigned them to either the Naesohwajung-tang or placebo group. To evaluate the efficacy of Naesohwajung-tang, the primary endpoint was a score on the total dyspepsia symptom (TDS) scale after treatment. The overall treatment effect (OTE), single dyspepsia symptom (SDS) scale, food retention questionnaire (FRQ), Damum questionnaire (DQ), functional dyspepsia-related quality of life (FD-QoL) questionnaire, and gastric myoelectrical activity measured using electrogastrography were evaluated as secondary outcomes. Laboratory tests were performed to confirm the safety of the intervention. Results: The 4 weeks administration of Naesohwajung-tang granules demonstrated a significantly higher reduction in the total dyspepsia symptom (p < 0.05) and a higher degree of improvement in the total dyspepsia symptom (p < 0.01) than the placebo group. Patients who underwent Naesohwajung-tang had a significantly higher overall treatment effect and a greater increase in the degree of improvement in scores such as epigastric burning, postprandial fullness, early satiation, functional dyspepsia-related quality of life, and Damum questionnaire (p < 0.05). Additionally, the Naesohwajung-tang group showed a greater effect in preventing a decrease in the percentage of normal gastric slow waves after meals than the placebo group. As a result of subgroup analyses using the degree of improvement in total dyspepsia symptom, Naesohwajung-tang was found to be more effective than placebo in female, younger patients (<65 years), with a high body-mass index (≥22), overlap type, food retention type, and Dampness and heat in the spleen and stomach systems pattern. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Conclusion: This is the first randomized clinical trial to verify that Naesohwajung-tang leads on symptom relief in patients with functional dyspepsia. Clinical Trial Registration: https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/detailSearch.do/17613, identifier KCT0003405.

Association of serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) with orocecal transit time in irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial disorder with altered intestinal motility, secretion, and sensation. Serotonin (5-HT) stimulates gut motility and alters serotonin signaling that may lead to both intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms in IBS.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine the association of serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in IBS with orocecal transit time (OCTT) measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test.

METHOD

This prospective case-control study included 151 IBS patients (mean±SD 37.4±11.6 years, median 36, range 19-68). Ninety-two patients were diarrhea-predominant IBS (D-IBS), 44 constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS), 15 alternating diarrhea and constipation IBS (M-IBS), and 100 healthy controls (mean±SD 37.2±11.4 years, median 36, range 20-64 years). 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism was studied by polymerase chain reaction-based method. 5-HT levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Orocecal transit time (OCTT) was measured by a non-invasive lactulose hydrogen breath test. OCTT was also compared with respect to 5-HTTLPR genotypes in different IBS phenotypes.

RESULTS

Serum serotonin levels were significantly higher in overall IBS patients (152±77 ng/mL, p<0.001), D-IBS (184±76 ng/mL, p<0.001), compared to healthy controls (129±56 ng/mL). There was no difference in 5-HT levels between C-IBS (124±53 ng/mL) and controls. In the case of M-IBS, 5-HT levels were (88±49 ng/mL p<0.05) significantly lower than that of controls. OCTT was significantly shorter in D-IBS patients (95±36 min) as compared to controls (112±41 min). In contrast, C-IBS showed significantly prolonged OCTT (136±54 min). There was a significant difference in OCTT between D-IBS and C-IBS patients (p<0.001). There was no significant association found between OCTT and 5-HTTLPR.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum serotonin concentrations were increased in D-IBS compared to controls and C-IBS. OCTT was shorter in D-IBS and delayed in C-IBS patients. There was no association of 5-HTLPR polymorphism with OCTT.

The difference of disrupted rhythms of life, work and entertainment between patients with FGIDs and healthy people and their associations with psychological disorders under COVID-19 pandemic

AIMS

To investigate the differences in disrupted rhythms between healthy people and patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and their associations with mood disorders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

The rhythm scales were composed of subscales 1 and 2 for the assessment of life-work and entertainment rhythms, respectively; Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess mood disorders.

RESULTS

A total of 671 patients with FGIDs and 4373 healthy people successfully participated. The scores of subscales 1 and 2 for patients with FGIDs were significantly higher than those for healthy people (p < .005). The SAS and SDS scores, their prevalence rates were significantly higher than those for the healthy group (all p < .001). Health status, current occupation, life-work rhythm, SDS, and SAS were independent related factors of FGIDs. The score of life-work-entertainment rhythm was significantly positively correlated with SDS and SAS (both p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Disrupted rhythms in patients with FGIDs under the COVID-19 pandemic were more frequently and significantly positively associated with mood disorders.

Efficacy of amitriptyline in pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Amitriptyline improves symptoms in functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) in adults with variable results in pediatric studies. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of amitriptyline in pediatric FAPD.

METHODS

In this open-label trial, children (≤ 18 years) diagnosed as FAPD based on ROME IV criteria were randomized to amitriptyline or placebo for 12 weeks. Post-treatment improvement of pain and quality of life (QOL) from the baseline were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The mean age of 149 children (amitriptyline 75, placebo 74) was 11.3 ± 3.5 years (79 boys). There was a significant difference in pain improvement in terms of reduction in scores for intensity (3.4 vs 0.9), frequency (3.6 vs 0.6), duration (3.5 vs 0.9), and QOL (2.3 vs 0.9) between amitriptyline and placebo group (P < 0.001 in all). Responders (> 50% reduction) in pain was seen in 76% in amitriptyline compared with 14.9% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the use of amitriptyline was the only factor predictive of response (odds ratio 24.1, 95% confidence interval: 9.1-64.6, P < 0.001). Minor adverse events were comparable between the groups (25.3% vs 13.5%, respectively, P = 0.07). Eighty-nine percent of children (24/27) who had extended treatment duration (6.8 ± 1.8 months) had pain improvement. After discontinuation of amitriptyline, 70% had sustained response over a mean follow up of 15.84 ± 5.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

A 3-month trial of amitriptyline gives sustained relief of pain in two-thirds of children with FAPD. The safety profile of the drug and its efficacy necessitate more frequent use in the clinical settings.

Emerging therapies in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

INTRODUCTION

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, symptom-based disorder of chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. The pathogenesis of IBS is multifactorial, leading to the potential for the development of multiple, diverse treatment strategies. This mechanistic heterogeneity also leads to the realization that available therapies are only effective in a subset of IBS suffers. Current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapies for IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) and IBS with constipation (IBS-C) are reviewed. Limited symptom responses and side effect experiences lead to considerable patient dissatisfaction with currently available IBS treatments. Only a small percentage of IBS patients are on prescription therapies underscoring the potential market and need for additional therapeutic options.

AREAS COVERED

: Expanding on currently available therapies, the serotonergic and endogenous opioid receptor systems continue to be a focus of future IBS treatment development. Additional novel emerging therapies include the endogenous cannabinoid system, bile acid secretion and sequestration, and exploit our enhanced understanding of visceral sensory signaling and intestinal secretomotor function.

EXPERT OPINION

While challenges remain for the future development of IBS therapies, the diverse etiologies underlying the disorder present an opportunity for novel therapies. Hence, great potential is anticipated for future IBS treatment options.

Disrupted Cerebellar-Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity in Major Depressive Disorder With Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are one of the common somatic symptoms presented in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Higher frequency of GI symptoms and higher GI symptom burden were linked to greater depression severity and increased risk of suicide ideation. However, few studies have explored the underlying mechanisms of GI symptoms in MDD. Based on previous studies, the cerebellar-DMN circuits may play a potentially critical role in GI symptoms comorbid with depression. Fifty-two first-episode drug-naive patients with MDD (35 with GI symptoms and 17 without GI symptoms) and 28 matched healthy controls were recruited in the current study and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Cerebellar seed-based functional connectivity maps were established. Relative to depressed patients without GI symptoms, significantly increased cerebellar-anterior default mode network (DMN) connectivities were found in those with GI symptoms. Both increased and decreased functional connectivities were found between cerebellum and posterior DMN in patients with GI symptoms compared with those without GI symptoms and healthy controls. Moreover, the right Crus I - right superior temporal gyrus connectivity value was related to severity of GI symptoms and depression in all patients with MDD. The support vector machine analysis demonstrated a satisfactory classification accuracy (89%) of the disrupted cerebellar-DMN connectivities for correctly identifying MDD patients with GI symptoms. These results revealed the possible neural mechanisms for the involvement of cerebellar-DMN circuits in GI symptoms co-occurred with MDD.

Gastrointestinal complaints in patients with anorexia nervosa in the timecourse of inpatient treatment

BACKGROUND

In patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common and usually improve during or after nutritional rehabilitation. It is unclear when exactly GI symptoms change in the timecourse of treatment and to which extent. In this study, we analyzed the timecourse of GI symptoms and their relation to disease-specific, demographic, anthropometric, and psychological factors in inpatients with AN.

METHODS

In weekly intervals, the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was completed, and body weight was measured over a mean of 9.5 weeks in inpatients with AN. A total of four self-report questionnaires assessing psychological factors were completed before and after inpatient treatment. Data from 38 inpatients with AN were analyzed using mixed linear models.

RESULTS

Abdominal pain and constipation improved significantly in the timecourse with 0.085 (p = 0.002) and 0.101 (p = 0.004) points per week on the GSRS and were predicted to normalize after 13 (p = 0.002) and 17 (p = 0.004) weeks, respectively. Total GI symptoms tended to normalize after 25 weeks (p = 0.079). Indigestion (borborygmus, abdominal distension, eructation, flatulence) was the most severely pathological symptom at admission and did not improve significantly (p = 0.197). Diarrhea and reflux were, on average, not pathological at admission and remained stable during treatment. In addition to treatment time, the strongest predictors were ED pathology at admission for the development of abdominal pain, constipation, reflux, and total GI symptoms; stress for the development of constipation and total GI symptoms; and depression for constipation.

CONCLUSIONS

Informing patients with AN about the course of GI symptoms and their improvement during weight rehabilitation may help support compliance during treatment.

Comparative Efficacy of Various Pharmacological Interventions in the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Patients with functional dyspepsia often select different pharmacological treatments. We aimed to compare and rank the efficacy of different pharmacological interventions in treating functional dyspepsia.

METHODS

We searched EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science and MEDLINE from the date of database inception to March 28, 2019. A random-effects model was selected to conduct traditional meta-analysis to directly examine the efficacy of different pharmacological interventions. The consistency model was selected to conduct a network meta-analysis to evaluate the relative effects and rank probability of different pharmacological interventions.

RESULTS

We included 58 trials (15,629 participants and 21 pharmacological treatments). Network meta-analysis showed that cisapride, domperidone, itopride, and levosulpiride were better than placebo, especially in short term (< 4 weeks). And levosulpiride was significantly more effective than 15 other drugs and placebo (ORs ranging between 0.05 and 0.15). Cisapride was significantly more effective than lansoprazole (OR 0.30, 95% CrI 0.09-0.99) and tegaserod (OR 0.26, 95% CrI 0.07-0.98). The rank probability showed that levosulpiride was most likely to be rank 1 (77%), cinitapride rank 2 (17%), and cisapride rank 3 (23%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed the effectiveness of several pharmacological treatments for ameliorating functional dyspepsia. Furthermore, levosulpiride relatively ranked the best in managing FD. Physicians should be encouraged to apply promising pharmacological interventions (e.g., levosulpiride and cisapride). However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to small study effects.

Fibromyalgia: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options Update

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue, intestinal disorders and alterations in sleep and mood. It is estimated that two to eight percent of the world population is affected by fibromyalgia. From a medical point of view, this pathology still presents inexplicable aspects. It is known that fibromyalgia is caused by a central sensitization phenomenon characterized by the dysfunction of neuro-circuits, which involves the perception, transmission and processing of afferent nociceptive stimuli, with the prevalent manifestation of pain at the level of the locomotor system. In recent years, the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia has also been linked to other factors, such as inflammatory, immune, endocrine, genetic and psychosocial factors. A rheumatologist typically makes a diagnosis of fibromyalgia when the patient describes a history of pain spreading in all quadrants of the body for at least three months and when pain is caused by digital pressure in at least 11 out of 18 allogenic points, called tender points. Fibromyalgia does not involve organic damage, and several diagnostic approaches have been developed in recent years, including the analysis of genetic, epigenetic and serological biomarkers. Symptoms often begin after physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases, there appears to be no obvious trigger. Women are more prone to developing the disease than men. Unfortunately, the conventional medical therapies that target this pathology produce limited benefits. They remain largely pharmacological in nature and tend to treat the symptomatic aspects of various disorders reported by the patient. The statistics, however, highlight the fact that 90% of people with fibromyalgia also turn to complementary medicine to manage their symptoms.

The Brain-Gut Axis: Psychological Functioning and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

The brain-gut axis represents a complex bi-directional system comprising multiple interconnections between the neuroendocrine pathways, the autonomous nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic, relapsing-remitting inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a multifactorial etiology. Depression and anxiety are prevalent among patients with chronic disorders characterized by a strong immune component, such as diabetes mellitus, cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and IBD. Although psychological problems are an important aspect of morbidity and of impaired quality of life in patients with IBD, depression and anxiety continue to be under-diagnosed. There is lack of evidence regarding the exact mechanisms by which depression, anxiety and cognitive dysfunction may occur in these patients, and whether psychological disorders are the result of disease activity or determinants of the IBD occurrence. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the role of the brain-gut axis in the psychological functioning of patients with IBD, and discuss current preclinical and clinical data on the topic and therapeutic strategies potentially useful for the clinical management of these patients. Personalized pathways of psychological supports are needed to improve the quality of life in patients with IBD.

Daily Short Message Service Reminders Increase Treatment Compliance and Efficacy in Outpatients with Functional Dyspepsia: a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Many outpatients with functional dyspepsia (FD) do not follow the medication schedule recommendations, which can lead to illness relapse.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether short message service (SMS) reminders improve medication regimen adherence and therapeutic efficacy in outpatients with FD.

DESIGN

Participants with FD were randomly allocated to the control group or intervention group. Patients in the control group received a 4-week medication treatment with no reminders, those in the intervention group received medication treatment plus a daily SMS reminder of dose and medication time.

PARTICIPANTS

Newly diagnosed FD patients from April 2019 to June 2019 were recruited from the GI outpatient clinics at Renji Hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

The scores for FD symptoms (LDQ) and psychological conditions (PHQ-9 for depression and GAD-7 for anxiety) were assessed before and after the treatment. The medication possession ratio (MPR) was calculated.

KEY RESULTS

A total of 352 eligible patients was enrolled in the study. The overall compliance rates of patients in the intervention and control groups were 87.5% and 80.7% in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (P = 0.08) and 94.48% and 86.59% in per-protocol (PP) analysis (P = 0.015), respectively. In the intervention group, the compliance rate of younger patients (age ≤ 40 years) was significantly higher than that of age-matched patients in the control group (ITT: 86.1% vs. 70.5%, P = 0.018). Compared with the control group, the reduction in scores of LDQ (9.33 vs. 8.02, P = 0.017), PHQ-9 (6.97 vs. 5.69, P = 0.004), and GAD-7 (8.70 vs.7.53, P = 0.028) was significantly greater in patients receiving SMS reminders. The MPR of patients positively correlated with the reduction in scores of LDQ, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

SMS reminders can improve treatment compliance and efficacy in patients with FD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04052750.

Pharmacotherapy patterns in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation beginning treatment with linaclotide or lubiprostone in the United States

BACKGROUND

Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder in community settings. Limited information exists on its treatment with the prosecretory agents linaclotide and lubiprostone. This retrospective cohort study investigated real-world pharmacotherapy patterns of linaclotide and lubiprostone.

METHODS

Patients (≥18 years) with CIC who received linaclotide or lubiprostone between January 2013 and December 2015 were identified in a United States health insurance claims database. Follow-up was from the date of the earliest claim for either drug to the end of continuous enrolment or switch to the alternative agent. Patterns of pharmacotherapy, evidence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and concomitant use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were examined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth or Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes and National Drug Codes.

RESULTS

In total, 43,164 and 17,743 patients with CIC received linaclotide and lubiprostone, respectively (~80% women, mean age ~47 years). Approximately 40% of subjects (linaclotide: 40.1%; lubiprostone: 37.6%) had evidence of IBS. Over a mean follow-up of 17 months, mean (standard deviation) treatment duration in patients without IBS was 6.6 (7.9) months for linaclotide and 4.5 (6.5) months for lubiprostone. Treatment episodes >180 days were more common with linaclotide (36.1%) than with lubiprostone (23.2%). At 12 months, Kaplan-Meier estimates of switching from lubiprostone to linaclotide and from linaclotide to lubiprostone were 13.4 and 5.6%, respectively. The number of patients receiving serotonin reuptake inhibitors was unchanged with treatment (~22%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with CIC receive linaclotide or lubiprostone for <6 months; few remain on therapy for >1 year. Additional research is warranted to understand the potential reason(s) for early discontinuation.

The epidemiology of antidepressant use in South Korea: Does short-term antidepressant use affect the relapse and recurrence of depressive episodes?

Background

The duration of antidepressant use affects the treatment of depression. Using the National Health Insurance database, which covers almost the entire national population, we verified the factors associated with the inadequate short-term use of initially prescribed antidepressants and their effects on the relapse and recurrence of depressive episodes.

Methods

There were 752,190 patients included who had been newly prescribed antidepressants in 2012 with the diagnosis of depressive disorder. They were followed-up until December 31, 2015. They were classified as short-term and long-term antidepressant users depending on whether they used a specific initial antidepressant for at least four weeks. Sociodemographic, clinical, and medical utilization factors affecting the duration of antidepressant use were investigated. We also identified whether the duration of antidepressant use affected the risk of relapse and recurrence, which was defined by the restarting of antidepressants.

Results

Initial antidepressants were taken for less than 28 days by 458,057 (60.84%) patients. Tricyclic antidepressants were used as the initial antidepressant more frequently than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (64.5% versus 19.3%). The type of initial antidepressant, polypharmacy, psychiatric and medical comorbidities, type of insurance coverage, and type of medical institution visited were associated with short-term use. Short-term use marginally increased the risk of relapse and recurrence of depressive episodes (Hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% confidence intervals 1.048–1.075).

Conclusions

Short-term antidepressant use is widespread in Korea, and assessment in various aspects are necessary to set proper treatment plans.

The association between functional dyspepsia and depression: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Concomitant functional dyspepsia (FD) and psychosocial stressors have been reported; however, the association between FD and depression remains controversial and no quantitative meta-analysis exists. Published articles were identified through a comprehensive review of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to the 8 July 2018. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals and subgroup analyses were calculated using a random-effects model. Findings for a total of 59 029 individuals were pooled across 23 studies and examined. Our analyses showed a positive association between FD and depression, with an OR of 2.28 (95% confidence interval: 2.02-3.81; I=100%). In the subgroup analysis, FD patients in Europe (OR=6.19) were more likely to have depression compared with Asians (OR=2.47); the overall significance results decreased the most in subgroup which the overall significance of the subgroup analyses results decreased the most in studies that adjusted for BMI (OR=1.42). Our meta-analysis showed a positive association between FD and depression. Further large-scale prospective cohort studies are needed to investigate the causality between FD and depression.

Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome: Protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The global prevalence of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is estimated to be as high as 15% and a number of different non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments have been used to manage IBS in clinical practice, which poses great challenges for clinicians to make appropriate decisions. Hence, a systematic review and network meta-analysis on all available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for IBS is needed to provide reliable evidence.

METHODS

We will search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane IBD Group Specialized Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Chinese Biomedical medicine (CBM) from inception to 31, May 2019. Randomized controlled trials of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for IBS will be included. Study quality will be assessed on the basis of the methodology and categories described in the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. Primary outcomes are global or clinical improvement and quality of life. A Bayesian network meta-analysis would be performed, and relative ranking of agents would be assessed. A node splitting method will be used to examine the inconsistency between direct and indirect comparisons when a loop connecting 3 arms exists.

RESULTS

Researchers will rank the effectiveness and safety of the potentials interventions for IBS according the characteristics of patients by conducting an advanced network meta-analysis based on Bayesian statistical model, and interpret the results by using GRADE approach.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion of our study will provide updated evidence to rank the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for IBS.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not applicable since this study is a network meta-analysis based on published trials.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018083844.

Effects of comfort care on symptoms, gastric motility, and mental state of patients with functional dyspepsia

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder globally, but the current treatments for FD are still unsatisfactory. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of comfort care on symptoms, gastric motility, and mental state of patients with FD.One hundred consecutive patients with FD treated at the Wuhan Union Hospital (Wuhan, China) between 03/2016 and 02/2018 were randomized to routine nursing and comfort care on the basis of routine nursing (50 patients/group), all for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was FD symptom score. The secondary endpoint included gastric emptying rate, gastric motility parameters, and depression and anxiety scores. The endpoints were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks.There were no significant differences between the 2 groups for gender, age, body mass index, types of FD, and course of disease (P > .05). The symptom score in the comfort care group at week 8 was lower than in the routine nursing group (8.3 ± 2.4 vs 10.2 ± 2.4, P < .001). The gastric emptying rate in the comfort care group at week 8 was higher than in the routine nursing group (28.6 ± 5.1 vs 24.3 ± 5.5, P < .001). The fasting and postprandial dominant frequencies of electrogastrogram in the comfort care group at week 8 were higher than in the routine nursing group (1.9 ± 0.9 vs 1.8 ± 1.0, P = .004; 3.1 ± 1.0 vs 2.1 ± 0.9, P < .001). The postprandial dominant power of electrogastrogram in the comfort care group at week 8 was higher than in the routine nursing group (55.7 ± 11.5 vs 42.3 ± 12.5, P < .001). The cases of abnormal electrogastrogram rhythm in the comfort care group at week 8 were significantly less than in the routine nursing group (P = .003). The self-rating depression scale and self-rating anxiety scale in the comfort care group at week 8 were significantly lower than in the routine nursing group (42.5 ± 6.9 vs 47.3 ± 6.4, P = .001; 41.1 ± 7.2 vs 46.3 ± 6.9, P < .001).Comfort care reduces the symptoms of patients with FD, increases gastric emptying rate, improves gastric motility, relieves patient's depression and anxiety, and promotes the rehabilitation of the disease.

Development and Characterization of An Injury-free Model of Functional Pain in Rats by Exposure to Red Light

We report the development and characterization of a novel, injury-free rat model in which nociceptive sensitization after red light is observed in multiple body areas reminiscent of widespread pain in functional pain syndromes. Rats were exposed to red light-emitting diodes (RLED) (LEDs, 660 nm) at an intensity of 50 Lux for 8 hours daily for 5 days resulting in time- and dose-dependent thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in both male and female rats. Females showed an earlier onset of mechanical allodynia than males. The pronociceptive effects of RLED were mediated through the visual system. RLED-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were reversed with medications commonly used for widespread pain, including gabapentin, tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Acetaminophen failed to reverse the RLED induced hypersensitivity. The hyperalgesic effects of RLED were blocked when bicuculline, a gamma-aminobutyric acid-A receptor antagonist, was administered into the rostral ventromedial medulla, suggesting a role for increased descending facilitation in the pain pathway. Key experiments were subjected to a replication study with randomization, investigator blinding, inclusion of all data, and high levels of statistical rigor. RLED-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia without injury offers a novel injury-free rodent model useful for the study of functional pain syndromes with widespread pain. RLED exposure also emphasizes the different biological effects of different colors of light exposure. PERSPECTIVE: This study demonstrates the effect of light exposure on nociceptive thresholds. These biological effects of red LED add evidence to the emerging understanding of the biological effects of light of different colors in animals and humans. Understanding the underlying biology of red light-induced widespread pain may offer insights into functional pain states.

Dysfunction in Serotonergic and Noradrenergic Systems and Somatic Symptoms in Psychiatric Disorders

Somatic symptoms include a range of physical experiences, such as pain, muscle tension, body shaking, difficulty in breathing, heart palpitation, blushing, fatigue, and sweating. Somatic symptoms are common in major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and some other psychiatric disorders. However, the etiology of somatic symptoms remains unclear. Somatic symptoms could be a response to emotional distress in patients with those psychiatric conditions. Increasing evidence supports the role of aberrant serotoninergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission in somatic symptoms. The physiological alterations underlying diminished serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE) signaling may contribute to impaired signal transduction, reduced 5-HT, or NE release from terminals of presynaptic neurons, and result in alternations in function and/or number of receptors and changes in intracellular signal processing. Multiple resources of data support each of these mechanisms. Animal models have shown physiological responses, similar to somatic symptoms seen in psychiatric patients, after manipulations of 5-HT and NE neurotransmission. Human genetic studies have identified many single-nucleotide polymorphisms risk loci associated with somatic symptoms. Several neuroimaging findings support that somatic symptoms are possibly associated with a state of reduced receptor binding. This narrative literature review aimed to discuss the involvement of serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in the pathophysiology of somatic symptoms. Future research combining neuroimaging techniques and genetic analysis to further elucidate the biological mechanisms of somatic symptoms and to develop novel treatment strategies is needed.

Antidepressants vs. Placebo for the Treatment of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To integrate high-quality evidence of the efficacy of antidepressants across different subtypes of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Methods: The Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Chinese local database were searched up to October 1, 2017. Keywords included all subtypes of FGIDs, antidepressants, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We included RCTs with low to moderate risks of bias in comparing antidepressants with placebos as the only intervention in treating adult patients with FGIDs (PROSPERO ID: CRD42015030123). Language was restricted to English or Chinese. Data extraction was independently carried out by two authors, following the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews. Results: Of 2,460 records identified, 31 studies reporting on 2,340 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Antidepressants were more effective than placebos in terms of the rate of responder [RR = 1.35 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.63)], and the reduction of target gastrointestinal symptoms [SMD = -0.94 (95% CI -1.33 to -0.54)], and disability severity (moderate effect sizes). Those effects partly remained both at the presence and absence of comorbid depression, and among different subtypes of FGIDs. Subgroup analyses confirmed the benefit of tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and trazodone. Efficacy of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), low doses of antidepressants, and antidepressants in intermediate to long term treatment was inconclusive due to the scarcity of eligible evidence. Compared to placebo, patients on antidepressants reported more adverse events [RR = 1.91 (95% CI 1.23 to 2.96)] and more frequent withdrawal. On average one in 7.4 (95% CI 5.4 to 11.9) patients treated with antidepressants responded, while one in 4.8 (95% CI 3.7 to 6.8) experienced certain adverse effects. Conclusions: Antidepressants were inferior to placebo in terms of tolerability and partly superior regarding efficacy. Before prescribing antidepressants, the benefits and side effects should be carefully evaluated.

Focus on the use of antidepressants to treat pediatric functional abdominal pain: current perspectives

Chronic abdominal pain is frequently encountered in pediatric practice. A large proportion of cases meet Rome criteria for abdominal pain-functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs). These disorders are costly and, in some cases, lead to impairment of daily functioning and overall quality of life. Pathophysiologic mechanisms include early stressful events, visceral hypersensitivity, dysmotility, changes in intestinal microbiota, and altered central nervous system processing. They are considered disorders of the brain-gut interaction. The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds using symptom-based criteria (Rome criteria). Anxiety and depressive symptoms are more prevalent in patients with AP-FGIDs. Therefore, attention has been directed to the use of neuromodulators as potential interventions for AP-FGIDs. Antidepressants are one type of neuromodulators, and one of the most studied drugs for the management of AP-FGIDs in adult and pediatric population. Data available in pediatric population have significant limitations including nonuniform methodology with different study designs and primary endpoints. Evidence of the efficacy of antidepressants in the management of pediatric AP-FGIDs is not consistent. There is an urgent need for well-designed randomized clinical trials using age-appropriate validated outcome measures. Careful consideration must be given to adverse effects, particularly increased suicidal ideation.

Medically unexplained syndromes: irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue

This is a review of three of the more common medically unexplained syndromes that present for treatment to liaison psychiatry services in general medical hospitals: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. The three are interrelated, extremely disabling and comorbid mood disorders are frequent. In general, treatment, whether psychological or medical, has very modest impact. The disputed classification of medically unexplained syndromes is also reviewed. There is a clear gulf between the views and experiences of patients with these syndromes and the medical establishment. In this article I summarise give the evidence for pharmacological, psychosocial and ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ interventions for a range of disorders, about which there is some dispute. I leave it to the reader to decide which interventions hold the most promise.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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DECLARATION OF INTEREST

None.

Efficacy and safety of nortriptyline in functional dyspepsia in Asians: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Current treatments of functional dyspepsia (FD) are unsatisfied. Tricyclic antidepressants alter visceral hypersensitivity and brain-gut interaction. We assessed the efficacy and safety of nortriptyline in patients with FD.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with FD according to Rome III criteria who failed to respond to proton pump inhibitor and prokinetic treatment were randomly assigned to either once daily 10-mg nortriptyline or placebo. The primary endpoint was the rate of responders defined as > 50% reduction in dyspepsia symptom score after 8 weeks of treatment. The secondary endpoints were improvement in quality of life as assessed by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score and safety.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients (nortriptyline 28 and placebo 33) were enrolled. Dyspepsia symptom score and duration of symptoms were balanced at entry between both groups. Eight and seven patients in nortriptyline and placebo groups were lost to follow up. Seven patients withdrew due to mild adverse events (nortriptyline 1 and placebo 6). Overall, 19 with nortriptyline and 20 with placebo completed the study. Patients receiving nortriptyline did not achieve higher response rate than those in placebo in both intention-to-treat (53.6% vs 57.6%, P = 0.75) and per-protocol (76.5% vs 73.7%, P = 1.00) analyses. Nortriptyline did not provide improvement in quality of life. The mean difference was 3.8 (P = 0.36) and 0.88 (P = 0.86) by intention-to-treat and 2.9 (P = 0.57) and 3.5 (P = 0.57) by per-protocol analyses in physical and mental component, respectively. All adverse events were minor and similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Nortriptyline was not superior to placebo in management of patients with FD.

Difficulties in the Diagnosis and Management of Functional or Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Children

Recurrent abdominal pain is a frequent pathology seen in the pediatric gastroenterology practice. In fact, most children with abdominal pain symptoms have functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. A focused medical history, comprehensive physical examination, and minimal testing are often enough to establish the diagnosis. The presence of red flags such as rectal bleeding, bilious vomiting, fever, and arthralgia should alert providers as well as direct further diagnostic and therapeutic plans. When patients show no red flags after a complete physical examination, providing the family with information about the pathophysiology and explaining the psychosocial model of pain can help to decrease anxiety around the pain symptoms. This article discusses the challenges in diagnosing and managing abdominal pain in children. [Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(11):e388-e393.].

Antidepressants in the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Antidepressants have been empirically used in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD). However, results from recent clinical trials investigating their efficacy are conflicting. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of antidepressants in the management of FD in adults.

METHODS

Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and BIOSIS Previews were searched for all randomized controlled trials (RCT) investigating efficacy of antidepressants in the management of FD in adult patients. Data of overall symptom unimproved and adverse events were compared between the antidepressants and placebo group.

RESULTS

The search strategy identified 432 citations. Of those, eight RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled relative risk (RR) of symptom unimproved with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) versus placebo was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.62 to 0.94, P = 0.01; I2 = 0%, P = 0.39). By contrast, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) did not show a benefit over placebo (RR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.17, P = 0.95; I2 = 0%, P = 0.82). Adverse events were significantly more frequent among patients receiving antidepressants than those receiving placebos (RR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.35, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

TCAs but not SSRIs, are effective in the treatment of FD, but antidepressants were also associated with more adverse events compared with placebo.

The signaling of amitriptyline-induced inhibitory effect on electrical field stimulation response in colon smooth muscle

Amitriptyline, a well-known antidepressant, exerts inhibitory effect on electrically stimulated rat colon smooth muscle contraction. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathway of amitriptyline-induced inhibitory effect. Changes in isometric force of colon muscle were recorded on polygraph, and data were analyzed by measuring the inhibitory extent induced by amitriptyline. Firstly, muscles were contracted by stimulation with electric field stimulation (EFS), and then, amitriptyline was added cumulatively to determine its influence effect on EFS. Amitriptyline significantly inhibited EFS-induced contraction dose dependently. Then, the mechanism of inhibitory effect of amitriptyline was evaluated by pretreating with various antagonists such as L-NAME, methylene blue, atropine, 5-HT receptors blockers, guanethidine, prazosin, guanabenz, isoprenaline, Y27632 (Rho-kinase inhibitor), ML9 (myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor), U73122 (PLC inhibitor), and chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor). Then, Ca(2+) channel blocker (nifedipine) and K(+)channel blockers, tetraethylammonium (TEA), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and glybenclamide, were used to determine the involvement of ion channels. L-NAME, guanabenz, 5HT4 receptor blocker, ML9, and Y27632 enhanced the effect of amitriptyline. Meanwhile, methylene blue, atropine, guanethidine, prazosin, methylsergide, ondansetron, U73122, and chelerythrine blocked its effect. It was also shown that nifedipine enhanced but TEA and glybenclamide blocked amitriptyline-induced inhibitory effect on EFS. Our results indicated that amitriptyline may exert inhibitory effect in response to EFS by inhibiting muscarinic receptors and then PLC-mediated PKC pathway leading to opening of ATP-sensitive potassium channel.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy vs Active Nonoperative Therapy for the Treatment of Biliary Dyskinesia

BACKGROUND

Despite widespread adoption by the surgical community, high-quality prospective data supporting the practice of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for the treatment of biliary dyskinesia (BD) are lacking.

STUDY DESIGN

Adult patients meeting criteria for diagnosis of BD (Rome III symptoms, normal ultrasound, gallbladder ejection fraction < 38%) were randomized to either LC or a trial of nonoperative (NO) therapy with a low-dose neuromodulator (amitriptyline 25 mg/day). Patients in the NO arm were allowed to cross over to the surgical arm and remain in the study for any reason. Besides collection of basic demographics and medical/surgical history, patients were administered a standardized quality of life (QOL) assessment (Short Form-8) and a symptom-specific questionnaire (Rome III criteria) at enrollment and monthly through the study to assess the effect of treatment on biliary symptoms and overall QOL.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were enrolled over 12 months (15 LC, 15 NO). In the LC group, 13 underwent LC, 1 refused surgery, 1 withdrew. In the NO group, 14 crossed over to the LC group (13 of whom had LC), yielding 26 patients who underwent LC. The SF-8 physical scores (PCS-8) were significantly improved at both the first and last follow-up visits (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003, respectively). The SF-8 mental scores (MCS-8) were also significantly improved at both the first and last follow-up visits (p = 0.0187, p = 0.0017, respectively). With median follow-up of 12 months (range 3 to 14 months), all 26 reported relief of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study raises doubts regarding the feasibility of a randomized trial, presumably due to both clinician and patient bias toward LC and the lack of "gold-standard" nonoperative treatments. However, these prospective data indicate that, with careful patient selection (standardized symptom criteria/imaging methodology), LC results in pain relief and significant improvement in QOL in BD patients. Further prospective study of these findings is warranted.

Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative therapy for managing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review

CONTEXT

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and often lifelong functional gastrointestinal disorder. There is a scarcity of effective management options for IBS.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh) for managing the symptoms of IBS.

DATA SOURCES

Articles without language or publication-date restriction were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, PEDro, OSTMED.DR, and Osteopathic Research Web. Search terms included irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, functional colonic disease, colon irritable, osteopath*, osteopathic manipulation, osteopathic medicine, clinical trial, and randomized clinical trial. Experts in the field of visceral osteopathy were also contacted to identify additional studies.

STUDY SELECTION

The authors evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of OMTh for IBS in adults in whom IBS was diagnosed using Rome (I-III) criteria. If OMTh was not the sole intervention in the intervention group and if the same additional interventions were not applied to the control group, the study was excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION

Citation identification, study selection, and data extraction were independently undertaken by 2 reviewers with a data extraction form from the Cochrane Collaboration. A consensus method was used to resolve disagreements concerning the assessment of the methodologic quality of the RCTs that were reviewed.

RESULTS

The search identified 10 studies that examined OMTh for patients with IBS; 5 studies (204 patients) met the inclusion criteria. All studies were assessed as having low risk of bias according to the Cochrane Collaboration criteria, although there was heterogeneity in the outcome measures and control interventions. Three studies used visual analog scales for abdominal pain, whereas others used the IBS severity score and the Functional Bowel Disorder Severity Index. A variety of secondary outcomes were used. All studies reported more pronounced short-term improvements with OMTh compared with sham therapy or standard care only. These differences remained statistically significant after variable lengths of follow-up in 3 studies.

CONCLUSION

The present systematic review provides preliminary evidence that OMTh may be beneficial in the treatment of patients with IBS. However, caution is required in the interpretation of these findings because of the limited number of studies available and the small sample sizes.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Is it "irritable brain" or "irritable bowel"?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been recognized as one of the most common and best studied disorders among the group of functional gastrointestinal disorders. It is a functional bowel disorder in which abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with defecation or a change in bowel habit. In the Western world, IBS appears to affect up to 20% of the population at any given time but in Asian countries, the median value of IBS prevalence defined by various criteria ranges between 6.5% and 10.1%, and community prevalence of 4% is found in North India. Those attending gastroenterology clinics represent only the tip of the iceberg. The disorder substantially impairs the quality of life, and the overall health-care costs are high. IBS has therefore gained increased attention from clinicians, researchers, and pharmaceutical industries. It is often frustrating to both patients and physicians as the disease is usually chronic in nature and difficult to treat. However, the understanding of IBS has been changing from time to time and still most of its concepts are unknown. In this review we have discussed, debated, and synthesized the evidence base, focusing on underlying mechanisms in the brain and bowel. We conclude that it is both brain and bowel mechanisms that are responsible. The clinical implication of such mechanisms is discussed.

Guided self-help interventions for irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Although irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is highly prevalent and is accompanied by high costs for respective healthcare systems, the data on treatment effectiveness are limited. Current treatment methods have limitations in terms of side effects and availability. Guided self-help (GSH) might be an easily accessible and cost-effective treatment alternative. This study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of GSH interventions for IBS.

METHODS

Using electronic databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, and Web of Science), we performed a systematic search for randomized-controlled trials. Using a random-effect model, we calculated the pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) of GSH on IBS symptom severity (primary outcome) and quality of life (secondary outcome). We additionally examined the moderating effects of online-based interventions and face-to-face therapist contact by applying mixed models.

RESULTS

A systematic literature search identified 10 eligible randomized-controlled trials, including 886 participants. Compared with the control conditions, the effect size was medium for the decrease in IBS symptom severity (SMD=0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.34-1.08) and large for the increase in patients' quality of life (SMD=0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.46-1.22). Neither treatment format nor face-to-face contact was a predictor of therapy outcomes in between-group analyses. In contrast, within-group analyses led to the conclusion that online-based interventions are more effective than other self-help formats.

CONCLUSION

GSH is an effective alternative for the treatment of IBS. As GSH methods are easy to implement, it seems sensible to integrate GSH into clinical practice.

LIMITATIONS

With respect to the high study heterogeneity, the number of studies included was relatively small.

Fermented foods, neuroticism, and social anxiety: An interaction model

Animal models and clinical trials in humans suggest that probiotics can have an anxiolytic effect. However, no studies have examined the relationship between probiotics and social anxiety. Here we employ a cross-sectional approach to determine whether consumption of fermented foods likely to contain probiotics interacts with neuroticism to predict social anxiety symptoms. A sample of young adults (N=710, 445 female) completed self-report measures of fermented food consumption, neuroticism, and social anxiety. An interaction model, controlling for demographics, general consumption of healthful foods, and exercise frequency, showed that exercise frequency, neuroticism, and fermented food consumption significantly and independently predicted social anxiety. Moreover, fermented food consumption also interacted with neuroticism in predicting social anxiety. Specifically, for those high in neuroticism, higher frequency of fermented food consumption was associated with fewer symptoms of social anxiety. Taken together with previous studies, the results suggest that fermented foods that contain probiotics may have a protective effect against social anxiety symptoms for those at higher genetic risk, as indexed by trait neuroticism. While additional research is necessary to determine the direction of causality, these results suggest that consumption of fermented foods that contain probiotics may serve as a low-risk intervention for reducing social anxiety.

Gallbladder dysfunction: how much longer will it be controversial?

BACKGROUND

Motility disorders of the biliary tree [biliary dyskinesia, including both gallbladder dysfunction (GBD), and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction] are difficult to diagnose and to treat.

SUMMARY

There is controversy in the literature in particular regarding the criteria that should be used to select patients for cholecystectomy (CCY) in cases of suspected GBD. The current review covers the history, diagnosis, and treatment of GBD. Key Messages: Only >85% of patients with suspected GBD have relief following CCY, a much lower rate than the nearly 100% success rate following CCY for gallstone disease. Unfortunately, the literature is lacking, and there are no universally agreed-upon criteria for selecting which patients to refer for operation, although cholecystokinin (CCK)-enhanced hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan is often used, with emphasis on an abnormally low gallbladder ejection fraction or pain reproduction at CCK administration. There is a clear need for large, well-designed, more definitive, prospective studies to better identify the indications for and efficacy of CCY in cases of GBD.

Prevalence and Predictors of Depression in Korean American Elderly: Findings from the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans (MASK)

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence and identify the predictors of depression among community-dwelling Korean American elderly (KAE).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological survey using a two-step sampling strategy to obtain a representative community sample.

SETTING

The authors recruited study participants at religious, service, and business establishments in the KA community (26 churches, 6 senior centers, 2 medical daycare centers, 1 supermarket).

PARTICIPANTS

Community-dwelling first-generation KAE (N = 1,118; mean age ± SD: 70.5 ± 7.0 years; female: 67.2%).

MEASUREMENTS

Trained bilingual nurses and community health workers interviewed participants face-to-face for demographic information, chronic conditions, and depression using the Korean versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9K).

RESULTS

30.3% of KAEs were classified as having either mild (PHQ-9K score 5-9; N = 218, 19.5%) or clinical depression (PHQ-9K score ≥10; N = 120, 10.8%), respectively. One of seven KAE (N = 164, 14.7%) endorsed thoughts of death or self-injury, but only 63 (5.7%) reported utilizing mental health services. The authors also identified several predictors of depression, including living arrangement (living alone versus living with family/spouse); having chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, digestive disorders, or chronic bronchitis; years of education; and cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' findings reveal a high prevalence of depression among KAE and a low level of mental health service utilization. Because there are urgent needs for culturally and contextually relevant interventions, the authors also discuss the feasibility of community-based interventions to reduce the burden of depression, which should be incorporated into a management system for multiple chronic conditions.

Emerging drugs for functional dyspepsia

INTRODUCTION

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a relatively common gastrointestinal clinical condition that remains poorly understood. Controversies remain regarding the definition, pathophysiology and optimum treatment. The current treatment of FD is limited and no established regimen is available.

AREAS COVERED

Recent advances have improved our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease and have led to the development of newer tailored therapies. Novel agents such as the motilin receptor agonist camicinal and the muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor antagonist acotiamide appear promising; however, the need for a safe and efficacious treatment remains largely unmet. This review describes the currently available management options for FD and critically evaluates emerging therapies.

EXPERT OPINION

The optimal treatment for FD is yet to be determined. A proton pump inhibitor or a prokinetic agent constitutes primary treatment. Helicobacter pylori testing and eradication is recommended. Based on currently available data, acotiamide appears promising, particularly in postprandial distress syndrome. Further large-scale multicentered trials are required to define the duration of treatment and the side-effect profile.

Pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders in adults

BACKGROUND

Somatoform disorders are characterised by chronic, medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS). Although different medications are part of treatment routines for people with somatoform disorders in clinics and private practices, there exists no systematic review or meta-analysis on the efficacy and tolerability of these medications. We aimed to synthesise to improve optimal treatment decisions.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of pharmacological interventions for somatoform disorders (specifically somatisation disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, and pain disorder) in adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Review Group's Specialised Register (CCDANCTR) (to 17 January 2014). This register includes relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) from The Cochrane Library (all years), MEDLINE (1950 to date), EMBASE (1974 to date), and PsycINFO (1967 to date). To identify ongoing trials, we searched ClinicalTrials.gov, Current Controlled Trials metaRegister, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry. For grey literature, we searched ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Database, OpenGrey, and BIOSIS Previews. We handsearched conference proceedings and reference lists of potentially relevant papers and systematic reviews and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We selected RCTs or cluster RCTs of pharmacological interventions versus placebo, treatment as usual, another medication, or a combination of different medications for somatoform disorders in adults. We included people fulfilling standardised diagnostic criteria for somatisation disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, somatoform autonomic dysfunction, or somatoform pain disorder.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

One review author and one research assistant independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Primary outcomes included the severity of MUPS on a continuous measure, and acceptability of treatment.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 26 RCTs (33 reports), with 2159 participants, in the review. They examined the efficacy of different types of antidepressants, the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic, antipsychotics alone, or natural products (NPs). The duration of the studies ranged between two and 12 weeks.One meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies showed no clear evidence of a significant difference between tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and placebo for the outcome severity of MUPS (SMD -0.13; 95% CI -0.39 to 0.13; 2 studies, 239 participants; I(2) = 2%; low-quality evidence). For new-generation antidepressants (NGAs), there was very low-quality evidence showing they were effective in reducing the severity of MUPS (SMD -0.91; 95% CI -1.36 to -0.46; 3 studies, 243 participants; I(2) = 63%). For NPs there was low-quality evidence that they were effective in reducing the severity of MUPS (SMD -0.74; 95% CI -0.97 to -0.51; 2 studies, 322 participants; I(2) = 0%).One meta-analysis showed no clear evidence of a difference between TCAs and NGAs for severity of MUPS (SMD -0.16; 95% CI -0.55 to 0.23; 3 studies, 177 participants; I(2) = 42%; low-quality evidence). There was also no difference between NGAs and other NGAs for severity of MUPS (SMD -0.16; 95% CI -0.45 to 0.14; 4 studies, 182 participants; I(2) = 0%).Finally, one meta-analysis comparing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with a combination of SSRIs and antipsychotics showed low-quality evidence in favour of combined treatment for severity of MUPS (SMD 0.77; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.22; 2 studies, 107 participants; I(2) = 23%).Differences regarding the acceptability of the treatment (rate of all-cause drop-outs) were neither found between NGAs and placebo (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.61; 2 studies, 163 participants; I(2) = 0%; low-quality evidence) or NPs and placebo (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.78; 3 studies, 506 participants; I(2) = 0%; low-quality evidence); nor between TCAs and other medication (RR 1.48, 95% CI 0.59 to 3.72; 8 studies, 556 participants; I(2) =14%; low-quality evidence); nor between antidepressants and the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.52; 2 studies, 118 participants; I(2) = 0%; low-quality evidence). Percental attrition rates due to adverse effects were high in all antidepressant treatments (0% to 32%), but low for NPs (0% to 1.7%).The risk of bias was high in many domains across studies. Seventeen trials (65.4%) gave no information about random sequence generation and only two (7.7%) provided information about allocation concealment. Eighteen studies (69.2%) revealed a high or unclear risk in blinding participants and study personnel; 23 studies had high risk of bias relating to blinding assessors. For the comparison NGA versus placebo, there was relatively high imprecision and heterogeneity due to one outlier study. Although we identified 26 studies, each comparison only contained a few studies and small numbers of participants so the results were imprecise.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The current review found very low-quality evidence for NGAs and low-quality evidence for NPs being effective in treating somatoform symptoms in adults when compared with placebo. There was some evidence that different classes of antidepressants did not differ in efficacy; however, this was limited and of low to very low quality. These results had serious shortcomings such as the high risk of bias, strong heterogeneity in the data, and small sample sizes. Furthermore, the significant effects of antidepressant treatment have to be balanced against the relatively high rates of adverse effects. Adverse effects produced by medication can have amplifying effects on symptom perceptions, particularly in people focusing on somatic symptoms without medical causes. We can only draw conclusions about short-term efficacy of the pharmacological interventions because no trial included follow-up assessments. For each of the comparisons where there were available data on acceptability rates (NGAs versus placebo, NPs versus placebo, TCAs versus other medication, and antidepressants versus a combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic), no clear differences between the intervention and comparator were found.Future high-quality research should be carried out to determine the effectiveness of medications other than antidepressants, to compare antidepressants more thoroughly, and to follow-up participants over longer periods (the longest follow up was just 12 weeks). Another idea for future research would be to include other outcomes such as functional impairment or dysfunctional behaviours and cognitions as well as the classical outcomes such as symptom severity, depression, or anxiety.

Avoiding analgesic escalation and excessive healthcare utilization in severe irritable bowel syndrome: a role for intramuscular anticholinergics?

OBJECTIVES

In patients with severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), abdominal pain can be the predominant symptom impacting on all aspects of their lives and resulting in excessive healthcare utilization. Furthermore, the use of analgesics can become excessive in this group of patients, sometimes leading to opiate dependency. Typically, the pain is often described as spastic in nature and we have speculated that parenteral anticholinergics might provide effective relief when all other measures have failed. For several years, we have therefore been asking general practitioners to consider teaching such patients to administer intramuscular hyoscine butylbromide for pain episodes and this study is an audit of this approach.

METHODS

Patients in whom the use of intramuscular hyoscine butylbromide had been recommended to their general practitioner in the last three years were interviewed over the telephone in order to document the efficacy of this approach as well as any potential disadvantages.

RESULTS

A total of 122 general practitioners were advised to try this approach, with 58 agreeing to teach the technique and prescribe the medication. Of the 58 patients who used the medication, 50 (86%) found it gave them pain relief, which was complete in six (10%), substantial in 36 (62%) and mild in eight (14%), with 15 (26%) decreasing the use of analgesics and 13 (32%) of the 41 taking opiates able to reduce or stop them completely. Side effects were few and largely consisted of those associated with anticholinergics. Only four patients stopped medication because of side effects and no major skin reactions were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of intramuscular hyoscine butylbromide shows promise in the management of IBS when severe unmanageable abdominal pain is a major problem. This approach appears to be safe and has the potential to reduce analgesic escalation, opiate dependency and attendances at accident and emergency departments.

Effect of nortriptyline on brain responses to painful esophageal acid infusion in patients with non-erosive reflux disease

BACKGROUND

Non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients generally present with heartburn as the main symptom. Antidepressants might help to relieve heartburn by acting on the esophagus-brain axis. We aimed to assess the effect of nortriptyline on behavioral and brain responses to painful esophageal acid infusion in NERD patients evaluated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODS

In a randomized double-blind crossover design, 20 NERD patients off proton pump inhibitors (36.1 ± 9.3 years, 75% women) were assigned to 21 days of nortriptyline and placebo, in counterbalanced order, with a 21 days washout period in between both treatment periods. Changes in acid-induced brain response on fMRI and heartburn perception were assessed and at the end of each treatment.

KEY RESULTS

Nortriptyline significantly reduced the acid-induced brain response in prefrontal cortex (median [IQR]: -1.9 [-4.5 to -0.1] vs -0.3 [-2.5 to 2.3]; p = 0.050), caudate (-3.0 [-5.1 to -0.01] vs 0.48 [-1.9 to 3.1]; p = 0.029), insula (-2.4 [-4.8 to -0.6] vs -0.2 [-1.5 to 1.5]; p = 0.029), cingulate (-4.2 [-8.8 to -0.1] vs -0.6 [-1.8 to 3.0]; p = 0.017), and hippocampus (-2.7 [-6.0 to 0.5] vs -0.04 [-2.3 to 1.9]; p = 0.006) in comparison with placebo. However, there was no significant difference between nortriptyline and placebo in clinical outcomes and side effects.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Nortriptyline decreased the brain response to esophageal acid infusion more markedly than placebo, but without clinical significance.

On-demand treatment with alverine citrate/simeticone compared with standard treatments for irritable bowel syndrome: results of a randomised pragmatic study

BACKGROUND

In routine practice, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms are often difficult to be relieved and impair significantly patients' quality of life (QoL). A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study has shown the efficacy of alverine citrate/simeticone (ACS) combination for IBS symptom relief.

AIM

As IBS symptoms are often intermittent, this pragmatic study was designed to compare the efficacy of an on-demand ACS treatment vs. that of usual treatments.

METHODS

Rome III IBS patients were enrolled by 87 general practitioners who were randomly allocated to one of two therapeutic strategies: on-demand ACS or usual treatment chosen by the physician. The primary outcome measure was the improvement of the IBSQoL score between inclusion and month 6.

RESULTS

A total of 436 patients (mean age: 54.4 years; women: 73.4%) were included, 222 in the ACS arm and 214 patients in the usual treatment arm, which was mainly antispasmodics. At 6 months, improvement of IBSQoL was greater with ACS than with the usual treatment group (13.8 vs. 8.4; p < 0.0008). The IBS-severity symptom score (IBS-SSS) was lower with ACS than in the usual treatment arm with a mean (SE) decrease of 170.0 (6.6) vs. 110.7 (6.7), respectively (p = 0.0001). An IBS-SSS < 75 was more frequent in the ACS group (37.7% vs. 16.0%; p < 0.0001). Improvement of both abdominal pain and bloating severity was also greater with the on-demand ACS treatment, which was associated with both lower direct and indirect costs.

CONCLUSIONS

After 6 months, on-demand ACS treatment led to a greater improvement of QoL, reduced the burden of the disease and was more effective for IBS symptom relief than usual treatments.

Symptomatic overlap between microscopic colitis and irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Microscopic colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are the common causes of watery diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Previous retrospective data and post hoc analysis of information from a randomized controlled trial have suggested that there is considerable overlap between the symptoms seen in patients with microscopic colitis and the symptom-based criteria for IBS. We sought to study this overlap in a prospective cohort.

METHODS

A random cohort of patients with biopsy-proven microscopic colitis seen at our institution were administered a symptom questionnaire. Based on their responses, the proportion of patients who met various definitions for IBS was determined. Clinical characteristics of those meeting IBS criteria were compared with those who did not.

RESULTS

In the 120 patients who were included, 38% to 58% met the diagnostic criteria for IBS. These patients tended to be younger and more likely female than those who did not meet IBS criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with microscopic colitis frequently meet the diagnostic criteria for IBS. Therefore, these criteria are not specific enough to exclude the presence of microscopic colitis. In patients with watery diarrhea, colonoscopy with mucosal biopsies should be performed if symptoms are not controlled by antidiarrheal medications.

[Psychopharmacological treatment in patients with somatoform disorders and functional body syndromes]

Somatoform disorders and functional body syndromes define a major, diagnostically heterogeneous group of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms. Psychopharmacological approaches can be derived from the conceptualization of somatoform symptoms and syndromes within a biopsychosocial model. The survey presented focuses on randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled studies. Antidepressants show a statistically and clinically relevant impact on many somatoform symptoms. In special reference to pain symptoms serotonergic and noradrenergic antidepressants seem to mediate a more favorable effect than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. For some functional body syndromes, e.g. irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia, a major analgesic effect of antidepressants can be underlined as well. The empirical data for fibromyalgia, however, seem to be more convincing than for irritable bowel syndrome. Pregabalin holds an empirically well established position in the treatment of fibromyalgia. As yet there is no convincing psychopharmacological strategy for chronic fatigue syndrome. Probably due to the inherent relationships to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and depressive disorders, both hypochondria and body dysmorphic disorder can be positively treated by serotonergic antidepressants as well.