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Schubart JR, Schaefer EW, Knight DRT, Mills SE, Francomano CA. Estimates of the excess cost burden of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: a United States MarketScan® claims database analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1365712. [PMID: 39022417 PMCID: PMC11252068 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1365712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) have significant health challenges that are well-documented, however their impact in terms of cost is not known. Our research objective was to examine the cost burden of EDS and HSD in the United States. We focused this analysis on those with commercial insurance plans. Methods We queried the MarketScan® database for year 2021 for claims that contained an ICD-10 diagnosis code for EDS or hypermobility. Excess costs for patients in the EDS and HSD cohorts were determined by matching each patient to one patient in the database that did not have a claim for EDS or HSD and comparing total costs for the calendar year. We determined whether patients had claims for selected comorbid conditions likely to impact costs during the calendar year. Results Sample sizes were 5,113 for adult (age ≥ 18) patients with EDS, 4,880 for adult patients with HSD, 1,059 for child (age 5-17) patients with EDS, and 2,427 for child patients with HSD. The mean excess costs were $21,100 for adult EDS patients, $11,600 for adult HSD patients, $17,000 for child EDS patients, and $11,000 for child HSD patients. EDS and HSD cohorts, both adults and children, with any of the comorbidities had greater healthcare costs. The largest difference was found in the EDS cohort with gastrointestinal comorbid conditions, with more than double the costs for adults. Discussion We found that patients in the MarketScan database, adults and children, who had EDS or HSD had substantially higher associated excess healthcare costs than patients without EDS or HSD when considering age, sex, geographic location, and comorbidities. These disproportionate healthcare costs in this population have health policy and economic implications, including the need for rapid diagnosis, access to treatment, and accelerated research to advance treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane R. Schubart
- Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Eric W. Schaefer
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Dacre R. T. Knight
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Susan E. Mills
- Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Clair A. Francomano
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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de Koning LE, Warnink-Kavelaars J, van Rossum MA, Bosman D, Menke LA, Malfait F, de Boer R, Oosterlaan J, Engelbert RHH, Rombaut L. Somatic symptoms, pain, catastrophizing and the association with disability among children with heritable connective tissue disorders. Am J Med Genet A 2023. [PMID: 37186039 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the nature and prevalence of nonspecific somatic symptoms, pain and catastrophizing in children with Heritable Connective Tissue Disorders (HCTD), and to determine their association with disability. This observational, multicenter study included 127 children, aged 4-18 years, with Marfan syndrome (MFS) (59%), Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) (8%), Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) (12%) and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) (23%). The assessments included the Children's Somatization Inventory or parent proxy (CSI, PCSI), pain visual-analogue scale (VAS), SUPERKIDZ body diagram, Pain Catastrophizing Scale Child or parent proxy (PCS-C, PCS-P) and Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ-30). Data from children aged ≥8 years were compared to normative data. In children ≥ 8 years (n = 90), pain was present in 59%, with a median of 4 (IQR = 3-9) pain areas. Compared to normative data, the HCTD group reported significantly higher on the CSI (p ≤ 0.001, d = 0.85), VAS pain intensity (p ≤ 0.001, d = 1.22) and CHAQ-30 (p ≤ 0.001, d = 1.16) and lower on the PCS-C (p = 0.017, d = -0.82) and PCS-P (p ≤ 0.001, d = -0.49). The intensity of nonspecific somatic symptoms and pain explained 45% of the variance in disability (r2 = 0.45 F(2,48) = 19.70, p ≤ 0.001). In children ≤ 7 years (n = 37), pain was present in 35% with a median of 5(IQR = 1-13) pain areas. The mean(SD) VAS scores for pain intensity was 1.5(2.9). Functional disability was moderately correlated to the number of pain areas (r = 0.56, p ≤ 0.001), intensity of nonspecific somatic symptoms (r = 0.63, p ≤ 0.001) and pain (r = 0.83, p ≤ 0.001). In conclusion, this study supports the need for comprehensive assessment of nonspecific somatic symptoms, pain, and disability in children with HCTD to allow tailored treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisanne E de Koning
- Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality, Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jessica Warnink-Kavelaars
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marion A van Rossum
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Diederik Bosman
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie A Menke
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fransiska Malfait
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital/Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rosa de Boer
- Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality, Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Oosterlaan
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital Amsterdam UMC Follow-Me Program & Emma Neuroscience Group, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Raoul H H Engelbert
- Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality, Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Rehabilitation and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lies Rombaut
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital/Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Clark NL, Johnson M, Rangan A, Kottam L, Swainston K. The biopsychosocial impact of hypermobility spectrum disorders in adults: a scoping review. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:985-1014. [PMID: 36894757 PMCID: PMC10126066 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05298-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Joint hypermobility affects approximately 30% of the United Kingdom (UK) population, characterised by the ability to move joints beyond the physiological limits. Associated conditions include Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders, affecting individuals across physical, psychological and social levels detrimentally impacting their health and wellbeing. The scoping review aims to describe the known biopsychosocial impact of joint hypermobility conditions in adults over the last decade. Additional objectives include to (1) identify the types of studies that address these factors, (2) to understand how the impact of the condition is measured and managed and (3) what healthcare professionals (HCPs) are involved. The scoping review was conducted using the five-stage framework by Arksey and O'Malley. The search strategy related to two main keywords, "hypermobility" and, "biopsychosocial" across a number of electronic databases. A pilot search was conducted to determine the suitability of the databases and terms. Following the search, the data was extracted and charted, summarised and narratively reported. 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority were conducted in either the UK or United States of America and case-control in design. The biopsychosocial impact was wide-ranging including, but not limited to, musculoskeletal system and dermatology, gastroenterology, mood and anxiety disorders, education and employments. This review is the first of its kind to summarise all reported symptoms and impact of joint hypermobility conditions in adults, highlighting a clear need to promote a multidisciplinary and holistic approach in raising awareness of these conditions and improving their management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie L Clark
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Melissa Johnson
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Amar Rangan
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK.,The Mary Kinross Trust and RCS Chair, Department of Health Sciences and Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, UK
| | - Lucksy Kottam
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough, UK
| | - Katherine Swainston
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
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Nutritional knowledge, attitudes and dietary behaviours amongst individuals with hypermobility syndromes and associations with co-morbid gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue; an observational study. Eur J Integr Med 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2023.102231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Thwaites PA, Gibson PR, Burgell RE. Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: What the gastroenterologist needs to know. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 37:1693-1709. [PMID: 35750466 PMCID: PMC9544979 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.15927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and the hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders of gut-brain interaction are common in this cohort and multifactorial in origin. The primary aim of this review is to arm the gastroenterologist with a clinically useful understanding of HSD/hEDS, by exploring the association of gastrointestinal disorders with HSD/hEDS, highlighting current pathophysiological understanding and providing a pragmatic approach to managing these patients. METHODS Literature relevant to the gastrointestinal system and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was systematically searched, critically appraised, and summarized. RESULTS Diagnosis is based upon clinical criteria and a genetic basis is yet to be defined. The prevalence of many gut symptoms, including abdominal pain (69% vs 27%, P < 0.0001), postprandial fullness (34% vs 16%, P = 0.01), constipation (73% vs 16%, P < 0.001), and diarrhea (47% vs 9%, P < 0.001) are significantly higher in HSD/hEDS compared with non-HSD/hEDS individuals. Disorders of gut-brain interaction are also common, particularly functional dyspepsia. The pathophysiology of gut symptoms is poorly understood but may involve effects of connective tissue laxity and its functional consequences, and the influence of autonomic dysfunction, medication and comorbid mental health disorders. Awareness is the key to early diagnosis. Management is limited in evidence-base but ideally should include an integrated multidisciplinary approach. CONCLUSIONS HSD/hEDS is a multisystemic disorder in which gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly related to disorders of gut-brain interaction are common. Deficiencies in knowledge regarding the pathophysiological processes limit evidence-based interventions and remain important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe A Thwaites
- Department of Gastroenterology, Central Clinical SchoolMonash University and Alfred HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Peter R Gibson
- Department of Gastroenterology, Central Clinical SchoolMonash University and Alfred HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Rebecca E Burgell
- Department of Gastroenterology, Central Clinical SchoolMonash University and Alfred HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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Chen G, Olver JS, Kanaan RA. Functional somatic syndromes and joint hypermobility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res 2021; 148:110556. [PMID: 34237584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There have been multiple reports of increased joint hypermobility (JH) in functional somatic syndromes (FSS). We sought to evaluate the evidence for an association. METHODS A systematic search of the databases Medline and PsycINFO was conducted to identify all controlled studies from inception to February 2020 measuring the association of an FSS and JH. Records were identified and screened, and full-text articles assessed for eligibility by two independent authors. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects modelling with the DerSimonian and Laird method. RESULTS We found 220 studies initially, which yielded 11 studies for inclusion in the qualitative review and 10 in the quantitative analysis - 5 studies on fibromyalgia, 3 on chronic fatigue syndrome and 3 on functional gastrointestinal disorder. Nine of the 11 studies found increased rates of JH in FSS compared to controls, though most studies were fair to poor in quality. Meta-analysis showed a weighted summary effect odds ratio of 3.27 (95% CI: 1.83, 5.84; p < 0.001) of JH in FSS, suggesting greater odds of FSS in individuals with JH than in those without. CONCLUSIONS There is some evidence for an association between FSS and JH, but this is limited by the generally poor quality of studies and the narrow range of FSS studied. Better research is needed to confirm these findings as well as evaluate causation using prospective cohort studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Chen
- University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
| | - James S Olver
- University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Australia
| | - Richard A Kanaan
- University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; King's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Weston Education Centre, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RJ, UK
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Ruiz-Rodríguez AJ, García Robles A, Benavente Fernández A. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with Marfan's disease. Med Clin (Barc) 2021; 158:237-238. [PMID: 34112511 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2021.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Adelina García Robles
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, España
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Oleksandrivna CM, Vitaliivna SO, Petrivna SL, Borisivna YO, Prystupiuk M, Prystupiuk L, Naumova M. Markers of Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Dysplasia in Female Patients with Acute Q-myocardial Infarction. ARCHIVES OF PHARMACY PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.51847/ymuzdzle7y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Maconi G, Pini A, Pasqualone E, Ardizzone S, Bassotti G. Abdominal Symptoms and Colonic Diverticula in Marfan’s Syndrome: A Clinical and Ultrasonographic Case Control Study. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9103141. [PMID: 32998474 PMCID: PMC7599469 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Marfan’s syndrome (MFS) seems to be frequently associated with colonic diverticulosis, but the prevalence of diverticula and symptoms evocative of diverticular disease in this population are still unknown. Methods: This prospective case control study included 90 consecutive patients with MFS, 90 unselected controls, and 90 asymptomatic subjects. The clinical characteristics, including lower gastrointestinal symptoms, and ultrasonographic features of the bowel, including diverticula and thickening of the muscularis propria of the sigmoid colon, were investigated. In addition, the genotype of MFS patients was assessed. The characteristics of patients and controls were compared using parametric tests. Results: Complaints of abdominal symptoms were made by 23 (25.6%) patients with MFS and 48 (53%) control subjects (p < 0.01). Constipation and bloating were reported less frequently by MFS patients than controls (constipation: 13.3% vs. 26.6%, p = 0.039; bloating: 3.3% vs. 41.1%, p < 0.0001), while other symptoms were not significantly different. Sigmoid diverticulosis was detected in 12 (12.3%) patients with MFS, as well as in 3 (3.3%) asymptomatic healthy subjects and 4 (4.4%) random controls (p = 0.0310). The genetic variants of MFS were not correlated with symptoms or diverticula. Conclusion: Patients with MFS have a greater prevalence of diverticula, although less abdominal symptoms, compared to the general population. Symptoms and diverticula in MFS are not correlated with any genetic variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Maconi
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence: Giovanni ; Tel.: +39-023-904-3164
| | - Alessandro Pini
- Cardiovascular-Genetic Center, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy;
| | - Elia Pasqualone
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Sandro Ardizzone
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy; (E.P.); (S.A.)
| | - Gabrio Bassotti
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia Medical School, 06122 Perugia, Italy;
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Feldman ECH, Hivick DP, Slepian PM, Tran ST, Chopra P, Greenley RN. Pain Symptomatology and Management in Pediatric Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Review. CHILDREN-BASEL 2020; 7:children7090146. [PMID: 32967103 PMCID: PMC7552757 DOI: 10.3390/children7090146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of connective tissue disorders that manifest with hyperextensibility of joints and skin, and general tissue fragility. While not a major criterion for clinical diagnosis, pain is a frequently endorsed symptom across subtypes of EDS. As such, the present review aims to summarize research to date on pain characteristics and management, and the relationship between such pain symptomatology and quality of life in pediatric EDS. Characteristics of pain, including theorized etiology, relative intensity and extent of pain are described, as well as descriptions of frequently endorsed pain sites (musculoskeletal, and non-musculoskeletal). Interventions related to the management of musculoskeletal (e.g., pharmaceutical intervention, physical therapy) and non-musculoskeletal pain (e.g., pharmaceutical and psychological interventions) are discussed, highlighting the need for additional research related to pediatric pain management in the context of hypermobility syndromes. In addition, the relationship between pain in pediatric EDS and quality of life is described. Finally, limitations of literature to date are described and recommendations for future lines of research are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estée C. H. Feldman
- Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Daniel P. Hivick
- Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA;
| | - P. Maxwell Slepian
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada;
| | - Susan T. Tran
- Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA;
| | - Pradeep Chopra
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA;
| | - Rachel Neff Greenley
- Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA;
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Inayet N, Hayat J, Bano G, Poullis A. Gastrointestinal symptoms in acromegaly: A case control study. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther 2020; 11:17-24. [PMID: 32550042 PMCID: PMC7288728 DOI: 10.4292/wjgpt.v11.i2.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acromegaly is a chronic disease caused by a pituitary somatotroph adenoma resulting in excess secretion of growth hormone, which leads to excess secretion of Insulin like growth factor 1 from the liver, causing abnormal soft tissue growth. There is increasing awareness that diseases affecting connective tissue are associated with an increase in functional gastrointestinal symptoms. Data was collected from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acromegaly to evaluate the intensity, variety and impact of abdominal symptoms in comparison with a control group who were healthy participants recruited from the local fracture clinic.
AIM To evaluate the frequency type and burden of abdominal symptoms in acromegaly in comparison with a control group.
METHODS Medical documentation of patients with a diagnosis of acromegaly treated in one tertiary medical centre between 2010 and 2017 has been analysed. Data was collected from patients with confirmed acromegaly, using the Short Form Health Survey (SF36) and Rome IV Diagnostic questionnaire for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Adults (R4DQ) and compared to a sex- and age-matched control group, to assess the burden of abdominal symptoms. Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS v 25 were used for data analysis.
RESULTS Fifty patients with acromegaly (24 male and 26 females; age range 23-64 years, mean 43) and 200 controls (96 male and 104 females; age range 18-84, mean 42.4) were recruited. 92% (46 out of 50) of patients with acromegaly reported abdominal symptoms and 78% (39 out of 50) had at least one functional gastrointestinal disorder according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria, compared to 16% of controls (OR > 1, P < 0.0001). The most commonly reported symptom was constipation (69% acromegaly vs 21% of controls OR > 1, P < 0.0001, 95%CI: 4.4–15.8). 34 out of 50 (68%) respondents met the criteria for functional constipation according to Rome IV. Upper gastrointestinal disorders were also more prevalent in the acromegaly group. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of biliary and anorectal symptoms between the two groups. Patients in acromegaly group scored lower on the mean scores of the eight parameters of SF36 Quality of Life questionnaire (mean scores 60.04 vs 71.23, 95%CI: -13.6829 to -8.6971, OR > 1, P < 0.001) as compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION Upper and lower functional gastrointestinal tract disorders (defined by Rome IV diagnostic criteria) are significantly more prevalent in patients with acromegaly compared with healthy age and sex matched controls in our study. Functional constipation is the most commonly reported problem. Poorer quality of life may in part be attributable to the increased prevalence of abdominal symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nashiz Inayet
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Georges Hospital and St Georges, University of London, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
| | - Jamal Hayat
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Georges Hospital and St Georges, University of London, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
| | - Gul Bano
- Department of Endocrinology, St Georges Hospital and St Georges, University of London, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Poullis
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Georges Hospital and St Georges, University of London, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom
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