Efficacy and Safety of Antidepressants for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis

Rifaximin and alternative agents in the management of irritable bowel syndrome: A comprehensive review

Rifaximin, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, boasts a unique chemical composition and pharmacokinetic profile, rendering it highly effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Its minimal systemic absorption confines its impact to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where it yields significant therapeutic benefits. This review examines rifaximin's physico-chemical attributes and its role in managing IBS symptoms. Its molecular structure facilitates intestinal lumen retention postoral administration, minimizing systemic exposure and adverse effects. This targeted action is crucial in addressing the gut microbiota's role in IBS pathophysiology. By modifying microbial populations and their metabolite production, rifaximin mitigates symptoms like bloating, irregular bowel habits, and abdominal pain associated with IBS. It achieves this by reducing pathogenic bacteria and altering bacterial metabolism, enhancing mucosal and immune function. Clinical trials affirm rifaximin's superiority over placebo and conventional therapies in alleviating overall IBS symptoms and addressing small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Despite its promising efficacy and sustained symptom relief, further research is essential to optimize long-term effectiveness and dosing regimens. Rifaximin stands as a vital treatment option for IBS due to its distinctive properties and clinical utility; yet, ongoing investigation is imperative for maximizing its therapeutic benefits.

Multipronged Electronic Health Record Analysis of Antidepressant Effectiveness on Depression Remission in Patients With Concurrent Depression and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often experience chronic abdominal pain and bowel habit changes, with a heightened risk of depression and anxiety compared to the general population. Methods Using TriNetX data from 61 U.S. healthcare organizations, we conducted a retrospective study of three electronic health record (EHR) analyses. We used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) and Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification (ATC) codes to analyze depression remission among IBS patients, comparing those using antidepressants to those who were not and comparing outcomes among different types of medication. Statistical methods included risk difference, risk ratio, hazard ratio, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank tests, and Cox hazard ratios Results Among 78,673 patients with both depression and IBS, those using antidepressants showed significantly higher rates of depressive remission compared to non-users: risk difference (RD), -0.056; risk ratio (RR), 0.380; and hazard ratio (HR), 0.413. Both atypical antidepressants bupropion and trazodone exhibited greater efficacy in achieving remission compared to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sertraline and escitalopram. For SSRI vs bupropion, RD is -0.041, RR is 0.664, and HR is 0.655. For SSRIs vs trazodone, RD is -0.018 , RR is 0.822, and HR is 0.806. The comparative impact of bupropion versus trazodone on remission remains inconclusive. Conclusion Depression presents a significant comorbidity in IBS patients, with atypical antidepressants potentially offering superior efficacy in achieving remission compared to SSRIs. Further research should explore these medications' psychiatric outcomes in this population to better understand their therapeutic benefits beyond gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

Clinical outcomes associated with antidepressant use in inflammatory bowel disease patients and a matched control cohort

Antidepressant medications (AMs) are frequently used in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Many AMs enhance serotonin (5-HT) availability, but this phenomenon may actually worsen IBD. We hypothesized that use of 5-HT-enhancing AMs would be associated with poor clinical outcomes in these disorders. We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Merative Health Marketscan® commercial claims database between 1/1/05 and 12/31/14. Participants (18-63 years) were either controls or had ≥ 2 ICD-9 diagnoses for IBD with ≥ 1 year of continuous insurance enrollment before index diagnosis and 2 years after. We identified new AM prescriptions using the medication possession ratio. Primary outcomes were corticosteroid use (IBD-only), IBD-related complication (IBD-only), IBD-related surgery (IBD-only), hospitalization, and emergency department (ED) visit(s) within 2 years of diagnosis or starting AM. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) in IBD AM users (for each outcome). We also performed subgroup analyses considering IBD and AM subtype. In the IBD cohort (n = 29,393, 41.4% female; 42.2%CD), 5.2% used AMs. In IBD, AM use was independently associated with corticosteroid use, ED visits, and hospitalizations, but not IBD-related complications. AM use was associated with a decreased risk of surgery. In the control cohort (n = 29,393, 41.4% female), AM use was also independently associated with ED visits and hospitalizations, and there was an increased likelihood of these two outcomes compared to the IBD cohort. In conclusion, while AM use was independently associated with an increased risk of ED visits and hospitalization in IBD, these risks were statistically more common in a matched control cohort. Additionally, AM use was associated with reduced risk of surgery in IBD, demonstrating a potential protective role in this setting.

Effects of Duloxetine on Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Quality of Life in Patients with the Moderate-to-Severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease. There are very few studies on the Duloxetine efficacy in improving the gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms, in IBS. The current study attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of Duloxetine in symptoms and quality of life in moderate-to-severe IBS patients.

Materials and Methods

This is a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in which the population is composed of 37 patients with moderate-to-severe IBS in Isfahan from March 2018 to March 2019. For the intervention group, Duloxetine was administered for three months, and the treatment protocol was the same for the control group but using a placebo. The severity of IBS symptoms, quality of life, and negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed.

Results

Our data showed no significant difference between the two groups of the study for the severity of IBS symptoms (P value = 0.150); however, in the intervention group, it was significantly lower than controls after six, eight, and ten weeks of the intervention (P value = 0.023). Overall evaluation of the quality of life in patients indicated significantly higher quality of life in the Duloxetine group than the control group from the eighth week to the twelfth week after the intervention (P value <0.038). Anxiety and stress in the Duloxetine group were significantly lower than controls after the intervention (P value <0.05).

Conclusion

Duloxetine is probably helpful for reducing anxiety, stress, and the severity of symptoms in IBS patients. It also could increase the quality of life in patients.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Epidemiology, overlap disorders, pathophysiology and treatment

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disease with a significant impact on patients' quality of life and a high socioeconomic burden. And the understanding of IBS has changed since the release of the Rome IV diagnosis in 2016. With the upcoming Rome V revision, it is necessary to review the results of IBS research in recent years. In this review of IBS, we can highlight future concerns by reviewing the results of IBS research on epidemiology, overlap disorders, pathophysiology, and treatment over the past decade and summarizing the latest research.

Interactions between symptoms and psychological status in irritable bowel syndrome: An exploratory study of the impact of a probiotic combination

BACKGROUND

Stress is an exacerbator of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, and anxiety and depression are co-morbidities. Bifidobacterium longum strains 1714® and 35642® attenuate stress responses in healthy people and reduce symptoms in IBS, respectively. Here, we explore relationships between the psychological and visceral effects of the two strains (COMBO) in IBS subjects and biomarkers of stress and inflammation.

METHODS

We recruited 40 patients with IBS (Rome III) and mild to moderate anxiety (HADS-A) and/or depression (HADS-D) and 57 asymptomatic female controls with low or moderate stress. IBS patients were fed COMBO (1 × 10⁹ cfu/day) for 8 weeks with an 8-week washout. IBS symptoms, psychometric measures, salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR), and plasma inflammatory biomarkers were assessed every 4 weeks.

KEY RESULTS

Compared to healthy controls, IBS subjects had a blunted CAR. Treatment with COMBO restored CAR and improved IBS symptoms compared to baseline during the treatment phase. The COMBO reduced HADS-D, HADS-A score, and TNF-α, while sleep quality improved significantly from baseline to the end of the intervention. Surprisingly, these parameters improved further once treatment ended and maintained this improvement by Week 16.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

These findings suggest that the stress response is a major driver of IBS symptoms. The time course of the beneficial effect of COMBO on IBS symptoms suggests that this is achieved through a restoration of the stress response. In contrast, the time course of the effects of COMBO on anxiety and depression in IBS paralleled an anti-inflammatory effect as indicated by a reduction in circulating levels of TNF-α.

Current perspectives on irritable bowel syndrome: a narrative review

The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has not yet been fully elucidated. We reviewed articles addressing IBS that have been published in the last 2 years and selected papers related to IBS pathophysiology and treatment. Studies of intestinal bacteria, low-grade mucosal inflammation, and increased mucosal permeability—factors involved in the pathophysiology of IBS—have been conducted. In addition, the involvement of intestinal bacteria in IBS pathology has been clarified; many studies of treatments related to intestinal bacteria have been reported. Moreover, several studies address the effect on IBS of antidepressants and psychotherapy through the brain–gut axis. The contents of these papers are described in this narrative review.

A Systematic Review on the Efficacy and Safety of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders: More Control, Less Risk

Gastrointestinal motility disorders have been thought to occur due to an imbalance in the interaction of the gut-brain axis, which is regulated by serotonin. This recent discovery can be exploited to find newer therapeutic agents such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for functional gastrointestinal disorders. PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), and Medline databases were used to obtain the data. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized control trials, and reviews were included and analyzed in the data. Of the 19240 studies, 23 were extracted, and after appropriate quality assessment, they were utilized in this systematic review. They included two meta-analyses, four systematic reviews, two randomized control trials, and 15 review articles. The systematic review focuses on the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as compared to other treatment modalities for disorders of gut-brain interaction. It explores various studies analyzing SSRIs for their mechanism of action, their desirable effects for treating irritable bowel syndrome, and their tolerability in patients. SSRIs are effective and safe in treating overall symptoms of gastrointestinal motility disorders, particularly constipation-predominant disorders. They seem to have a better side effect profile than other drugs. This should encourage physicians to prescribe SSRIs early on in the disease.

Antispasmodics

Antispasmodics are effective in reducing abdominal pain associated with visceral organs, bloating, and bowel habit changes and are commonly used as “on-demand therapy.” A relatively regular intake of antispasmodics may help patients with functional gastrointestinal disease exacerbation. Irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia are representative functional gastrointestinal diseases with abdominal pain and bloating as the main symptoms. Most of the clinical data on antispasmodics are obtained from studies on functional gastrointestinal diseases including irritable bowel syndrome. Antispasmodics can be safely used for prolonged periods without serious adverse effects; however, different antispasmodics have different anticholinergic potencies. Antispasmodics with strong anticholinergic effects should be prescribed with caution to patients with glaucoma or prostatic hypertrophy-induced dysuria and to those driving vehicles, operating machinery, or receiving other anticholinergic drugs in combination. Antispasmodics meeting US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for efficacy, those showing relatively consistent efficacy in different trials, and those with prokinetic effects are currently available. Many patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms have overlapping functional gastrointestinal disorders and may require antispasmodic drugs. Alternatively, tricyclic antidepressant or ramosetron use can be considered in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. This review summarizes the clinical data and characteristics of antispasmodics, particularly those available in South Korea.

The Prevalence and Incidence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Depression and Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The increased prevalence and incidence of affective disorders among patients with gastrointestinal disease have been well established. However, few studies have investigated the inverse relationship. We aimed to identify all pieces of evidence of the prevalence and incidence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in people with depression and bipolar disorder.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of studies reporting the association between affective disorders (exposure) and IBS or IBD (outcome) in adults. Evidence was evaluated for quality using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. Where suitable data were available, meta-analyses were performed.

RESULTS

We identified 18 studies that met the selection criteria, of which 11 provided data on IBS, 5 on IBD, and 2 on both. Overall, people with depression were significantly more likely to have comorbid IBS (risk ratio = 2.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.98-2.96) and to develop new-onset IBS (risk ratio = 1.90, 95% confidence interval = 1.41-2.56) compared with people without depression. They were also more likely to have and develop IBD, and among patients with IBD, significantly increased rates of depression were observed as early as 5 years before diagnosis. Bipolar disorder was not consistently associated with risk of either condition.

CONCLUSIONS

People with depression are at an increased risk of both having and developing lower gastrointestinal disorders. These findings have important implications for how we understand, manage, and prevent this comorbidity in clinical practice. Further studies are needed to improve our understanding of the relationship between bipolar disorder and bowel disease as well as the role of psychotropic medication, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Irritable bowel syndrome

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Acupuncture for emotional symptoms in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) also often have emotional symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. The main drugs used for the treatment of FGIDs mainly target single gastrointestinal symptoms and are not effective in regulating emotional symptoms. Evidence has shown that acupuncture can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms in FGIDs patients, but there is no high-quality evidence to show that acupuncture can relieve psychological symptoms in these patients.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture for emotional symptoms in patients with FGIDs.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from database inception through July 31, 2021, were retrieved from three English-language databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Embase) and five Chinese-language databases (the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, Chinese Biomedical, and TCM Literature Analysis and Retrieval databases). RCTs that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture and pharmacotherapy were included in this study. The score on the depression or anxiety scale after treatment were considered as primary outcomes. The 'meta' package (version 4.19-0) in RStudio 1.1.463 was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

A total of 2151 patients from 24 RCTs were included in this study. Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture was not significantly better at relieving anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.35, 95% CI -1.05 to 0.33) and depression (SMD -0.32, 95% CI -0.71 to 0.07) symptoms. Compared with pharmacotherapy, acupuncture was significantly better at relieving anxiety (SMD -0.64, 95% CI -0.93 to -0.35) and depression (SMD -0.46, 95% CI -0.69 to -0.22) symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis found that acupuncture can alleviate emotional symptoms in FGID patients better than pharmacotherapy. However, it is not clear whether this effect is based on the placebo effect, specific effect or nonspecific effect of acupuncture. The evidence should be proven by rigorously designed RCTs in the future.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021271899.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Clinical Recommendations of the Russian Gastroenterological Association and Association of Coloproctologists of Russia

Aim. Current clinical recommendations accentuate current methods for the diagnosis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Key points.IBS is a functional bowel disorder manifested with recurrent, at least weekly, abdominal pain with the following attributes (any two leastwise): link to defecation, its frequency or stool shape. The symptoms are expected to persist for at minimum three months in a total six-month follow-up. Similar to other functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, IBS can be diagnosed basing on the patient symptoms compliance with Rome IV criteria, provided the absence of potentially symptom-causative organic GI diseases. Due to challenging differential diagnosis, IBS can be appropriately established per exclusionem, with pre-examination as follows: general and biochemical blood tests; tissue transglutaminase IgA/IgG antibody tests; thyroid hormones test; faecal occult blood test; hydrogen glucose/ lactulose breath test for bacterial overgrowth; stool test for enteric bacterial pathogens and Clostridium difficile A/B toxins; stool calprotectin test; abdominal ultrasound; OGDS, with biopsy as appropriate; colonoscopy with biopsy. The IBS sequence is typically wavelike, with alternating remissions and exacerbations often triggered by psychoemotional stress. Treatment of IBS patients includes dietary and lifestyle adjustments, various-class drug agents prescription and psychotherapeutic measures.

Conclusion. Adherence to clinical recommendations can facilitate timely diagnosis and improve medical aid quality in patients with different clinical IBS variants.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders. Overlap syndrome Clinical guidelines of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia

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Role of serum amitriptyline concentration and CYP2C19 polymorphism in predicting the response to low-dose amitriptyline in irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Low-dose amitriptyline (AMT) is an effective treatment for diarrhea-dominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Its efficacy depends upon its serum concentration and the patient's CYP2C19 genotype.

AIMS

To identify the association between serum AMT and nortriptyline (NT) concentration and CYP2C19 polymorphism and the clinical response in IBS-D patients.

METHODS

Ninety IBS-D patients were treated of AMT for 6 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by the results of the Adequate Relief question each week and an IBS severity scoring system (IBS-SSS) at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. CYP2C19 genotyping was performed by direct sequencing. AMT and NT steady-state serum concentrations were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

The CYP2C19 polymorphism exhibited a significant influence on the NT serum concentration but did not predict the clinical efficacy of AMT for treating IBS-D. The NT steady-state and dose-corrected serum concentrations were significantly correlated with an improvement in the IBS-SSS score after 6 weeks, whereas the AMT serum concentration was not correlated with clinical improvement. The cut-off NT steady-state serum concentration of 2.91 ng/ml may help distinguish responders from non-responders.

CONCLUSIONS

NT serum concentration but not CYP2C19 polymorphism may be correlated with the clinical efficacy of AMT for treating IBS-D, and such a response may occur at the upper NT threshold of 2.91 ng/ml.

Female serotonin transporter-knockout rat: A potential model of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disease. Although visceral hypersensitivity (VH) and disturbed gastrointestinal motility are typical pathophysiological features of IBS, the pathological mechanisms underlying this disease remain unclear. Serotonin system abnormalities are considered to play an important role in the pathomechanisms of IBS. Here, we hypothesize that similar alterations, including VH and colonic motility, induced by serotonin transporter (SERT) knockout result from altered serotonin signaling. We sought to determine the molecular mechanism underlying VH and colonic dysmotility induced by SERT knockout. We found that female SERT (slc6a4)-knockout (KO; ie, slc6a4^-/- ) rats exhibited lower pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) than wild-type (WT; ie, slc6a4^+/+ ) rats in response to colorectal distension (CRD). Significantly increased fecal pellet output and reduced concentration of serum tryptophan were observed in the female SERT KO rats. The concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and serum in SERT KO rats were lower than those in WT rats, but the numbers of enterochromaffin cells (ECs) and the concentrations of 5-HT in colon of SERT KO rats were higher than those of WT rats. Finally, increased expression levels of 5-HT_1B receptors, 5-HT_2C receptors, 5-HT_3A receptors, 5-HT_3B receptors, 5-HT₆ receptors, 5-HT₇ receptors, and glycosylated dopamine transporters (DATs) were found in the female SERT KO rats. We concluded that alterations in the serotonin system induced by the knockout of slc6a4 might result in VH and accelerated gastrointestinal motility in female SERT KO rats, which can be used as an animal model of IBS.

Modern aspects of the management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

A review of modern data from the study of functional disorders of the digestive tract is performed. In the United States, 4 million people with functional bowel disorders seek medical care annually, and the annual cost of managing these patients is $ 358 million. Due to the urgency of the problem, new developments appear, among which it is necessary to highlight the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) guidelines for the management of patients with IBS. To examine patients with suspected IBS, the authors of the ACG guideline proposed a positive diagnostic strategy, which is based on a careful study of the anamnesis, focusing on the key symptoms of the relationship between abdominal pain and bowel function during a long course of the disease (more than 6 months) and the absence of alarming symptoms with minimal use of instrumental diagnostic tests. For the diagnosis of IBS, the  authors recommended serological testing for  celiac disease, determination of  fecal calprotectin  and C-reactive protein  to exclude inflammatory bowel diseases, but they did not consider it necessary to routinely analyze stool for intestinal pathogens. From our point of view, the absence of routine stool analysis for intestinal pathogens is completely inapplicable for Russia, since in our country the frequency of detection of diphyllobothriasis, giardiasis and opisthorchiasis is very high. The ACG consensus drew attention to the need to expand the evidence base for the use of some standard drugs for the treatment of IBS, proposed a number of new drugs (lebiprostone, linaclotide), recommended the use of rifaximin (for the treatment of IBS with a predominance of diarrhea) and tricyclic antidepressants (for the treatment of IBS). Analysis of modern international recommendations suggests that the clinical guidelines of the Russian Gastroenterological Association and the Association of Coloproctologists of Russia for the diagnosis and treatment of IBS are currently the main document governing the management of these patients in our country.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome 2020

Managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has attracted international attention because single-agent therapy rarely relieves bothersome symptoms for all patients. The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) published the first edition of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for IBS in 2015. Much more evidence has accumulated since then, and new pharmacological agents and non-pharmacological methods have been developed. Here, we report the second edition of the JSGE-IBS guidelines comprising 41 questions including 12 background questions on epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria, 26 clinical questions on diagnosis and treatment, and 3 questions on future research. For each question, statements with or without recommendations and/or evidence level are given and updated diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are provided based on new evidence. Algorithms for diagnosis are requisite for patients with chronic abdominal pain or associated symptoms and/or abnormal bowel movement. Colonoscopy is indicated for patients with one or more alarm symptoms/signs, risk factors, and/or abnormal routine examination results. The diagnosis is based on the Rome IV criteria. Step 1 therapy consists of diet therapy, behavioral modification, and gut-targeted pharmacotherapy for 4 weeks. For non-responders, management proceeds to step 2 therapy, which includes a combination of different mechanistic gut-targeted agents and/or psychopharmacological agents and basic psychotherapy for 4 weeks. Step 3 therapy is for non-responders to step 2 and comprises a combination of gut-targeted pharmacotherapy, psychopharmacological treatments, and/or specific psychotherapy. These updated JSGE-IBS guidelines present best practice strategies for IBS patients in Japan and we believe these core strategies can be useful for IBS diagnosis and treatment globally.

ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent, chronic disorder that significantly reduces patients' quality of life. Advances in diagnostic testing and in therapeutic options for patients with IBS led to the development of this first-ever American College of Gastroenterology clinical guideline for the management of IBS using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Twenty-five clinically important questions were assessed after a comprehensive literature search; 9 questions focused on diagnostic testing; 16 questions focused on therapeutic options. Consensus was obtained using a modified Delphi approach, and based on GRADE methodology, we endorse the following: We suggest that a positive diagnostic strategy as compared to a diagnostic strategy of exclusion be used to improve time to initiating appropriate therapy. We suggest that serologic testing be performed to rule out celiac disease in patients with IBS and diarrhea symptoms. We suggest that fecal calprotectin be checked in patients with suspected IBS and diarrhea symptoms to rule out inflammatory bowel disease. We recommend a limited trial of a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disacchardies, monosaccharides, polyols (FODMAP) diet in patients with IBS to improve global symptoms. We recommend the use of chloride channel activators and guanylate cyclase activators to treat global IBS with constipation symptoms. We recommend the use of rifaximin to treat global IBS with diarrhea symptoms. We suggest that gut-directed psychotherapy be used to treat global IBS symptoms. Additional statements and information regarding diagnostic strategies, specific drugs, doses, and duration of therapy can be found in the guideline.

Efficacy and Safety of Acupoint Catgut Embedding for Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In this study, we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupoint catgut embedding for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. We searched seven online databases to collect studies published up to Feb 29^th, 2020. Study quality of each included article was evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were conducted based on the Cochrane systematic review method by using RevMan 5.3 software. Among the included trials, acupoint catgut embedding alone or plus oral western medicine or plus other acupoint-based therapies, or plus oral traditional Chinese medicine were the main therapies in the experimental groups. Interventions in control groups mainly include oral western medicine alone, other acupoint-based therapies alone, or other acupoint-based therapies alone. Primary outcomes in this study include recovery rate, accumulative marked effective rate, accumulative effective rate, and recurrence rate. Finally, 30 trials involving 1889 participants were included. The results of systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that acupoint catgut embedding alone or plus oral western medicine or plus other acupoint-based therapy or plus oral traditional Chinese medicine was significantly better compared with using oral western medicine alone in terms of efficacy for IBS-C and IBS-D. In addition, acupoint catgut embedding alone or plus oral western medicine or plus other acupoint-based therapy or plus oral traditional Chinese medicine could improve the effective rate and decrease the recurrence rate for IBS-D compared with using oral western medicine, other acupoint-based therapies, or oral traditional Chinese medicine alone. Adverse events of acupoint catgut embedding include local induration, redness, swelling, and itchiness, but they were all mild and disappeared swiftly with ordinary local interventions. There is an urgent need for RCTs of high quality and large sample size and with longer treatment duration and follow-up periods of acupoint catgut embedding for IBS.

Shortcomings of Trials Assessing Antidepressants in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Critical Review

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder requiring complex, multidisciplinary management. Antidepressants are commonly used and recommended in guidelines for the treatment of patients with IBS. We assessed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on antidepressants in patients with IBS, with specific attention to study design and data quality/reporting characteristics. Following a comprehensive search, data and RCT characteristics were systematically summarized. Fragility index, representing the number of positive “events” that the study relies on for its significance, was calculated. Eighteen RCTs were included. Overall, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), but not selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), appeared to be efficacious in IBS. Eight studies reported on adverse events (AEs), which were significantly greater in patients receiving antidepressants versus placebo. The median (mean) fragility index of TCA trials was 0 (1.5). RCTs with positive results had significantly lower placebo rates (20.8%) versus negative studies (45.7%; p < 0.0001). RCTs exhibited limitations related to study design (sample size and blinding), data analysis (outcomes and placebo response), and data reporting (selective reporting of AEs and publication bias). Careful consideration of limitations of RCTs on antidepressants in IBS is warranted to formulate a safe and beneficial treatment regimen for patients with IBS.

How Serotonin Level Fluctuation Affects the Effectiveness of Treatment in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most commonly diagnosed functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. It affects both men and women. Enteric serotonin (5HT) is responsible for gut motility, secretion, visceral hypersensitivity, and inflammation. The serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) maintains serotonin levels by regulating its reuptake. An increase in SERT expression causes a decrease in serotonin, which leads to IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome, constipation-predominant), whereas a decrease in SERT transcription causes an increase in serotonin, which leads to IBS-D (irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea-predominant). Some factors can alter SERT transcription, such as certain bacteria, inflammation, growth factor, and glucagon-like peptide-1. This shows that 5HT and SERT both have an important role in IBS pathophysiology so that it would be a better subject to target for the treatment aspect of IBS. 5HT3 receptor antagonists are advisable for IBS-D to block the excessive activity of serotonin at the 5HT3 receptor and reduce gut motility. For IBS-C, we prescribe 5HT4 receptor agonists, which promote gut motility. Also, the latest treatment approach, antidepressant drugs TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants) and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), are helpful by modulating serotonin levels in the gut. In this literature review, we found that serotonin is one of the main pathophysiological factors for IBS, and we can treat IBS by targeting serotonin function on gut motility.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: News from an Old Disorder

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, which can affect all members of a society, regardless of age, sex, race or socioeconomic status. Because of its high prevalence and chronic nature, it represents a significant economic burden. In fact, these patients have a relevant impairment of their quality of life, which limits their work productivity and daily social activities, especially when it is associated with other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The diagnosis of IBS relies on symptom-based diagnostic criteria with normal results on a limited number of complementary tests that rule out other possible diagnoses. The aetiology of this condition is incompletely established. However, evidence suggests that it is a multifactorial disorder with several different mechanisms that have been implicated as responsible for the symptoms. Since the treatment strategy is usually based on predominant symptoms and their severity, it is important to recognise the underlying mechanisms in order to successfully relief the visceral pain and altered bowel habits. The aim of this non-systematic review of the literature was to explore the pathophysiology and treatment options of IBS, highlighting the most recent evidence, from the new Rome IV criteria to the new drug armamentarium.

An update on efficacy and safety considerations for the latest drugs used to treat irritable bowel syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), globally affecting 11.2% of the population and imposing a direct annual cost of $1.7bn-$10bn in the US, is one of the today's major therapeutic challenges. Therefore, there is urgent need to address this issue through reviewing the tolerability and efficacy of available medications.

AREAS COVERED

Over the past decade, related experiments were cited through Clinicaltrials.gov, PubMed, WHO ICTRP, and Cochrane library. Pharmacological parameters of approved medications available in the USFDA, EMA, TGA and PMDA were also stated.

EXPERT OPINION

Anti-spasmodics are used as the first-line treatment in pain-predominant IBS and IBS-D, among which calcium channel blockers and neurokinin-type 2 receptor antagonists seem to replace anti-cholinergic drugs. As second-line treatments, rifaximin is considered to be the best for IBS-D though it has lower efficacy than alosetron and eluxadoline. For IBS-C, linaclotide is the most effective and the safest second-line therapy, following laxatives/fibers, which may be replaced by tenapanor, in the future. When moderate to severe IBS is associated with severe pain or comorbid psychological disorders, gut-brain neuromodulators could also be prescribed. Regarding all this, there is still a paramount need to conduct careful clinical studies on efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of current approved and non-approved treatments.

The Role of Descending Pain Modulation in Chronic Primary Pain: Potential Application of Drugs Targeting Serotonergic System

Chronic primary pain (CPP) is a group of diseases with long-term pain and functional disorders but without structural or specific tissue pathologies. CPP is becoming a serious health problem in clinical practice due to the unknown cause of intractable pain and high cost of health care yet has not been satisfactorily addressed. During the past decades, a significant role for the descending pain modulation and alterations due to specific diseases of CPP has been emphasized. It has been widely established that central sensitization and alterations in neuroplasticity induced by the enhancement of descending pain facilitation and/or the impairment of descending pain inhibition can explain many chronic pain states including CPP. The descending serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei target receptors along the descending pain circuits and exert either pro- or antinociceptive effects in different pain conditions. In this review, we summarize the possible underlying descending pain regulation mechanisms in CPP and the role of serotonin, thus providing evidence for potential application of analgesic medications based on the serotonergic system in CPP patients.

Use of antidepressants and risks of restless legs syndrome in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A population-based cohort study

Previous research has suggested an association between antidepressants use and clinical restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients, but there has never been a single study investigating the risk of RLS in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients treated with antidepressants. Hence, we aimed to explore the association between IBS and RLS and to examine the risk of RLS in IBS patients treated with antidepressants. With the use of the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, 27,437 adults aged ≥ 20 years with newly diagnosed IBS (ICD-9-CM Code 564.1) and gender- and age-matched 54,874 controls without IBS were enrolled between 2000 and 2012. All patients were followed-up until RLS diagnosis, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance program, or end of 2013. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of RLS. RLS was more prevalent in IBS patients than in the non-IBS group (7.57 versus 3.36 per 10,000 person-years), with an increased risk of RLS (adjusted HR [aHR], 1.91; 95% CI, 1.52-2.40). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified older age (age, 51-65 years; aHR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.09-2.56; and age > 65; aHR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.02-2.48), hypothyroidism (aHR, 4.24; 95% CI, 1.92-9.37), CAD (aHR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.17-2.48), and depression (aHR, 3.15; 95% CI, 2.14-4.64) as independent RLS risk factors in IBS patients. In addition, the male SSRIs users were associated with significantly higher risk of RLS (aHR, 3.05 95% CI, 1.34-6.92). Our study showed that the IBS group has higher risk of RLS. Moreover, SSRIs use may increase the risk of RLS in male IBS patients.

Nursing management of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an umbrella term for a common range of symptoms such as abdominal pain, distension (bloating), diarrhoea and constipation. Nurses will often encounter patients with IBS in their day-to-day practice. As well as patients who present to healthcare services seeking assistance in managing their IBS, nurses may also encounter patients who were initially seeking assistance for other conditions, but were also found to be exhibiting symptoms of IBS. This article outlines the causes of IBS and the range of symptoms that people with IBS may experience. It details the pharmacological therapies available for IBS, and examines the range of management interventions that nurses can use to ameliorate the underlying factors that contribute to IBS.

Bowel symptoms are associated with hypovitaminosis D in individuals with medically complicated obesity

We reported that 30% of individuals with medically complicated obesity have bowel symptoms, suggesting irritable bowel syndrome, but this prevalence of bowel symptoms is not related to body mass index or diabetes mellitus. Hypovitaminosis D is common in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and is associated with depressive symptoms. Because antidepressants improve global symptoms in individuals with bowel symptoms, we hypothesize that the high prevalence of bowel symptoms in medically complicated obesity is associated with hypovitaminosis D. This is a single-institution, retrospective cohort study performed in a large, urban community teaching hospital. Over 2 years, individuals considering bariatric surgery completed a Manning symptom questionnaire to quantify bowel symptoms. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D was ordered, and the results were recorded for all individuals. Among 271 subjects, 229 subjects (80% women, 20% men; 67% black, 31% white; age range: 23-73 years; body mass index range: 35-91 kg/m²) completed 25-hydroxy vitamin D testing. Sixty-seven subjects (29%) have 3 to 6 Manning bowel symptoms, suggesting irritable bowel syndrome; 84 (37%) have type 2 diabetes; and 180 (79%) had vitamin D insufficiency. There are significant negative associations between Manning bowel symptoms and vitamin D concentrations in subjects with obesity (P = .01) and with type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity (P = .007). The results support our hypothesis that the high prevalence of bowel symptoms in people with medically complicated obesity is associated with hypovitaminosis D. A prospective study is required to evaluate vitamin D supplementation and relief of bowel symptoms in people with medically complicated obesity.

The influence of voltage-gated sodium channels on human gastrointestinal nociception

BACKGROUND

Abdominal pain is a frequent and persistent problem in the most common gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Pain adversely impacts quality of life, incurs significant healthcare expenditures, and remains a challenging issue to manage with few safe therapeutic options currently available. It is imperative that new methods are developed for identifying and treating this symptom. A variety of peripherally active neuroendocrine signaling elements have the capability to influence gastrointestinal pain perception. A large and growing body of evidence suggests that voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play a critical role in the development and modulation of nociceptive signaling associated with the gut. Several VGSC isoforms demonstrate significant promise as potential targets for improved diagnosis and treatment of gut-based disorders associated with hyper- and hyposensitivity to abdominal pain.

PURPOSE

In this article, we critically review key investigations that have evaluated the potential role that VGSCs play in visceral nociception and discuss recent advances related to this topic. Specifically, we discuss the following: (a) what is known about the structure and basic function of VGSCs, (b) the role that each VGSC plays in gut nociception, particularly as it relates to human physiology, and (c) potential diagnostic and therapeutic uses of VGSCs to manage disorders associated with chronic abdominal pain.

Review article: an analysis of safety profiles of treatments for diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is multifactorial in nature, and a wide range of therapies is available to manage symptoms of this common disorder.

AIM

To provide an overview of the safety of interventions that may be used to manage patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).

METHODS

Medline and Embase database searches (through 02 May 2018) to identify clinical studies that evaluated treatment safety and/or efficacy in adults with IBS-D.

RESULTS

IBS-D treatments include dietary modification, probiotics, serotonin receptor antagonists, opioid receptor agonists and antagonists, nonsystemic antibiotics, bile acid sequestrants, antidepressants, and complementary and alternative therapies. These treatments vary in administration frequency (eg, daily; short-course therapy) and target various pathophysiologic factors. Safety profiles vary considerably by treatment among IBS-D therapies. The number needed to harm (defined as the number of patients treated to encounter an adverse event) was lowest (worse) for antidepressants (8.5) and highest (best) for probiotics (35), and the number needed to harm (defined as the number of patients who discontinued due to an adverse event) was lowest for tricyclic antidepressants (9) and highest for rifaximin (8971). Notable safety concerns with IBS-D treatments include pancreatitis with eluxadoline, ischaemic colitis and serious complications of constipation with alosetron, and cardiac adverse events with loperamide and tricyclic antidepressants. Treatment decisions need to account for medication risks and adverse events for each patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple treatment options are now available for patients with IBS-D. However, the safety profiles of these agents vary widely by number needed to harm value. Providers should consider both safety and efficacy of a specific intervention when determining how best to manage patients' IBS-D symptoms.

Management of Functional Somatic Syndromes and Bodily Distress

Functional somatic syndromes (FSS), like irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia and other symptoms reflecting bodily distress, are common in practically all areas of medicine worldwide. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these symptoms and syndromes vary substantially across and within medical specialties from biomedicine to psychiatry. Patients may become frustrated with the lack of effective treatment, doctors may experience these disorders as difficult to treat, and this type of health problem forms an important component of the global burden of disease. This review intends to develop a unifying perspective on the understanding and management of FSS and bodily distress. Firstly, we present the clinical problem and review current concepts for classification. Secondly, we propose an integrated etiological model which encompasses a wide range of biopsychosocial vulnerability and triggering factors and considers consecutive aggravating and maintaining factors. Thirdly, we systematically scrutinize the current evidence base in terms of an umbrella review of systematic reviews from 2007 to 2017 and give recommendations for treatment for all levels of care, concentrating on developments over the last 10 years. We conclude that activating, patient-involving, and centrally acting therapies appear to be more effective than passive ones that primarily act on peripheral physiology, and we recommend stepped care approaches that translate a truly biopsychosocial approach into actual management of the patient.

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.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Korea, 2017 Revised Edition

In 2011, the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (KSNM) published clinical practice guidelines on the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on a systematic review of the literature. The KSNM planned to update the clinical practice guidelines to support primary physicians, reduce the socioeconomic burden of IBS, and reflect advances in the pathophysiology and management of IBS. The present revised version of the guidelines is in continuity with the previous version and targets adults diagnosed with, or suspected to have, IBS. A librarian created a literature search query, and a systematic review was conducted to identify candidate guidelines. Feasible documents were verified based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The candidate seed guidelines were fully evaluated by the Guidelines Development Committee using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II quality assessment tool. After selecting 7 seed guidelines, the committee prepared evidence summaries to generate data exaction tables. These summaries comprised the 4 main themes of this version of the guidelines: colonoscopy; a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols; probiotics; and rifaximin. To adopt the core recommendations of the guidelines, the Delphi technique (ie, a panel of experts on IBS) was used. To enhance dissemination of the clinical practice guidelines, a Korean version will be made available, and a food calendar for patients with IBS is produced.

Characteristics and comorbidities of inpatients without celiac disease on a gluten-free diet

OBJECTIVES

Despite the increasing popularity of gluten-free diet (GFD), the demographic characteristics and medical features of patients without celiac disease on this diet have not been extensively investigated.We aimed to characterize the medical conditions and demographic backgrounds of hospitalized patients without celiac disease who adhere to a GFD, to further understand their reasons for gluten avoidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed an observational cohort study on all inpatients at Columbia University Medical Center on a GFD in 2011-2016, excluding those with celiac disease, compared with age-matched and sex-matched inpatients on a regular diet. We determined the odds ratio (OR) of being on a GFD for various comorbidities using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 769 inpatients on a GFD, most (63.6%) did not have celiac disease. Gluten-avoiding patients were more likely to be non-Hispanic Whites [OR: 2.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.31-3.70]. They had a lower prevalence of hypertension (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.27-0.52) and diabetes (OR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.32-0.75) and higher prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.02-2.41), irritable bowel syndrome (OR: 6.16; 95% CI: 2.11-10.23), hyperthyroidism (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.22-6.10), hypothyroidism (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.39-3.06), lupus (OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.13-7.29), and autism spectrum disorder (OR: 23.42; 95% CI: 5.29-103.73).

CONCLUSION

Nonceliac gluten-avoiding patients have higher prevalences of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, thyroid disease, lupus, and autism spectrum disorder, suggesting patients with these disorders have turned to a GFD for perceived benefit, despite a scant evidence basis.

The use of prescription medication in 239 patients with multiple functional somatic syndromes

OBJECTIVE

To describe the use of prescription drugs and their association with patient characteristics in patients with multiple functional somatic syndromes (FSS) focusing on drugs generally recommended and not recommended in FSS treatment.

METHOD

Using data from a national prescription registry, we describe the drug use during a two-year period for 239 trial participants. Using regression models, we analyse the associations of patient characteristics with the patterns of use of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioids and sedatives.

RESULTS

The use of prescription drugs was highly heterogeneous. Antidepressants were used at least temporarily by 34% (88/239), anticonvulsants by 7% (16/239), opioids by 26% (61/239) and sedatives by 20% (47/239) of the patients. Severe impairment due to multiple FSS was associated with use of opioids or sedatives (OR 6.49 (95% CI 2.68-15.68; p < 0.001)) but also with use of antidepressants or anticonvulsants (OR 3.42 (95% CI 1.35-8.65; p = 0.009)). Poor self-reported physical health, additional physical comorbidities and low socioeconomic status were associated with use of opioids or sedatives only.

CONCLUSION

Antidepressants and anticonvulsants were modestly used. Opioids and sedatives were especially used by the severely affected patients. Balancing treatment expectations and enhancing patients' understanding of FSS may direct treatments towards more generally recommended drugs.

Opioid misuse in gastroenterology and non-opioid management of abdominal pain

Opioids were one of the earliest classes of medications used for pain across a variety of conditions, but morbidity and mortality have been increasingly associated with their chronic use. Despite these negative consequences, chronic opioid use is increasing worldwide, with the USA and Canada having the highest rates. Chronic opioid use for noncancer pain can have particularly negative effects in the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems, including opioid-induced constipation, narcotic bowel syndrome, worsening psychopathology and addiction. This Review summarizes the evidence of opioid misuse in gastroenterology, including the lack of evidence of a benefit from these drugs, as well as the risk of harm and negative consequences of opioid use relative to the brain-gut axis. Guidelines for opioid management and alternative pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies for pain management in patients with gastrointestinal disorders are also discussed. As chronic pain is complex and involves emotional and social factors, a multimodal approach targeting both pain intensity and quality of life is best.

Functional Abdominal Pain and Related Syndromes

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are very common. They result from dysfunctional interaction in the brain-gut axis. Although the nature is benign, symptoms may be debilitating. The etiology is multifactorial; therefore, the diagnosis should be approached in a bio-psychosocial model. There are no biomarkers to characterize these conditions, but a solid understanding of the pathophysiology allows providers to present these disorders as a positive clinical diagnosis, rather than a diagnosis of exclusion. Effective management entails close collaboration between the medical and mental health providers.

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.

Influence of proton pump inhibitors on clinical outcomes in coronary heart disease patients receiving aspirin and clopidogrel: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are usually prescribed to protect against gastrointestinal bleeding in patients on dual antiplatelet therapy. This meta-analysis reviewed clinical outcomes in patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel, with and without concomitant PPIs to address concerns of adverse reactions.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for articles published between January 1, 2010 and April 11, 2017. The primary end points were major adverse cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal bleeding. Secondary end points were myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, revascularization, cardiogenic death, and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 33,492 patients in 4 randomized controlled trials and 8 controlled observational studies. Overall, patients taking PPIs had statistical differences in major adverse cardiovascular events [odds ratio (OR) 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.28); P = .001; I = 28.3%], gastrointestinal bleeding [OR 0.58 (95% CI 0.36-0.92); P = .022; I = 80.6%], stent thrombosis [OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.01-1.68); P = .041; I = 0%], and revascularization [OR 1.20 (95% CI 1.04-1.38); P = .011; I = 5.1%], compared those not taking PPIs. There were no significant differences in myocardial infarction [OR 1.03 (95% CI 0.87-1.22); P = .742; I = 0%], cardiogenic death [OR 1.09 (95% CI 0.83-1.43); P = .526; I = 0%], or all-cause mortality [OR 1.08 (95% CI 0.93-1.25); P = .329; I = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Among the patients taking aspirin and clopidogrel, the results indicated that the combined use of PPIs increased the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, stent thrombosis, and revascularization.

Fatty acid components in Asian female patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Abdominal pain is one of the key symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Studies have indicated an increase in the incidence of IBS in Asia. However, yet the pathophysiology of this disease remains unknown. Women are more likely to develop the condition than men, especially the constipation-predominant type. Essential fatty acid (EFA) malnutrition is one of several theories discussing the mechanism of IBS.The authors hypothesized that significant EFA deficiency may cause abdominal pain in patients with IBS. However, because patterns in the oral intake of EFAs differ between cultures, the authors narrowed this study to examine the nutritional status of Asian female patients with IBSThe authors investigated Asian female patients with IBS and compared them with a group of healthy controls. Thirty patients with IBS and 39 healthy individuals were included in this study. The participants' age, height, weight, and waist size were recorded. The 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale was documented. Both erythrocyte and plasma fatty acid content were analyzed through gas-liquid chromatography.The authors found that patients with IBS exhibited significantly higher scores for depression, higher proportions of plasma saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids, and lower proportions of docosahexaenoic acid and total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma are associated with IBS in Asian female patients. Further study is indicated to confirm the causality of this association.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Stress-Related Psychiatric Co-morbidities: Focus on Early Life Stress

Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, with stress playing a major role in onset and exacerbation of symptoms such as abdominal pain and altered bowel movements. Stress-related disorders including anxiety and depression often precede the development of irritable bowel syndrome and vice versa. Stressor exposure during early life has the potential to increase an individual's susceptibility to both irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disease indicating that there may be a common origin for these disorders. Moreover, adverse early life events significantly impact upon many of the communication pathways within the brain-gut-microbiota axis, which allows bidirectional interaction between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. This axis is proposed to be perturbed in irritable bowel syndrome and studies now indicate that dysfunction of this axis is also seen in psychiatric disease. Here we review the co-morbidity of irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disease with their common origin in mind in relation to the impact of early life stress on the developing brain-gut-microbiota axis. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting this axis in these diseases.

Eluxadoline in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Eluxadoline is a novel drug approved for the management of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). It has unique pharmacology and works on three different opioid receptors. Several Phase II and III clinical trials have demonstrated eluxadoline’s efficacy in reducing symptoms related to IBS-D. Clinical trial results and postmarketing reports show a risk of pancreatitis in patients without a gallbladder or those abusing alcohol. This review article will include information on clinical trial results related to IBS-D management as well as eluxadoline’s limitations.

Negative correlation of cortical thickness with the severity and duration of abdominal pain in Asian women with irritable bowel syndrome

Background & aims

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) manifests as chronic abdominal pain. One pathophysiological theory states that the brain–gut axis is responsible for pain control in the intestine. Although several studies have discussed the structural changes in the brain of IBS patients, most of these studies have been conducted in Western populations. Different cultures and sexes experience different pain sensations and have different pain responses. Accordingly, we aimed to identify the specific changes in the cortical thickness of Asian women with IBS and to compare these data to those of non-Asian women with IBS.

Methods

Thirty Asian female IBS patients (IBS group) and 39 healthy individuals (control group) were included in this study. Brain structural magnetic resonance imaging was performed. We used FreeSurfer to analyze the differences in the cortical thickness and their correlations with patient characteristics.

Results

The left cuneus, left rostral middle frontal cortex, left supramarginal cortex, right caudal anterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral insula exhibited cortical thinning in the IBS group compared with those in the controls. Furthermore, the brain cortical thickness correlated negatively the severity as well as duration of abdominal pain.

Conclusions

Some of our findings differ from those of Western studies. In our study, all of the significant brain regions in the IBS group exhibited cortical thinning compared with those in the controls. The differences in cortical thickness between the IBS patients and controls may provide useful information to facilitate regulating abdominal pain in IBS patients. These findings offer insights into the association of different cultures and sexes with differences in cortical thinning in patients with IBS.

Treatment of Functional Abdominal Pain With Antidepressants: Benefits, Adverse Effects, and the Gastroenterologist's Role

OBJECTIVES

Pediatric functional abdominal pain is often treated with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). The aim is investigating antidepressant use for treatment efficacy, correlation of response to psychiatric factors, and impact of adverse effects in regard to physicians' prescribing patterns.

METHODS

Retrospective review (2005-2013) children (5-21 years old) with functional abdominal pain treated with SSRI or TCA. Of the 531 cases with functional abdominal pain, 192 initiated SSRIs or TCAs while followed by gastroenterology. Charts reviewed for symptoms, adverse effects, and response: decreased pain or increased daily functioning.

RESULTS

Sixty-three of 84 (75%) SSRI patients improved, 56 of 92 (61%) TCA patients improved (P = 0.03). Logistic regression controlling for psychiatric factors: SSRI remained significant over TCA (P = 0.04). Thirty-two of 67 (48%) patients with constipation received TCAs and 26 of 45 (58%) patients with diarrhea received SSRIs (P = 0.64). Three SSRI patients reported gastrointestinal effects, all diarrheal-type symptoms, and 2 TCA patients reported gastrointestinal effects, both constipation, in all it led to discontinuation. Thirteen (29%) of diarrheal-type patients reported adverse effects causing discontinuation as compared to 7 (8%) in the constipation group (P = .01). Twenty-one (25%) SSRI patients reported adverse effects with 5 (6%) mood disturbances. Twenty (22%) TCA patients reported adverse effects, 13 (14%) with mood disturbances (P = .07). Overall, 12 (14%) SSRI patients discontinued medication due to adverse effects, whereas 16 (17%) TCA patients (P = 0.24) did.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients had significantly greater response to SSRIs than TCAs, remaining significant after controlling for psychiatric factors. Little significance is given to patient's associated gastrointestinal symptoms, frequently resulting in adverse effects and termination of medication.

Antidepressants for irritable bowel syndrome-A systematic review

BACKGROUND

According to the multifactorial etiology of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), psychological factors play an important role. It is possible that antidepressant therapy may be more effective for patients with IBS. The aim of this study was a systematic review of the best available antidepressant therapies for IBS.

METHODS

The databases Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register for randomized controlled trials were searched for studies published before September 2016. Meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, controlled trials, uncontrolled trials, cohort studies, and open-label studies were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 513 articles, 29 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 6 meta-analyses, 18 randomized controlled trials, and 5 studies without randomization. In these studies, the efficacy of tricyclics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, were analyzed in IBS. Different interventions were used, though in most studies their effect on global symptom relief in IBS as a primary outcome was investigated. Generally, patients' tolerance of the therapies was good. Only severe adverse events were observed as a result of the nature of the drug.

CONCLUSIONS

Generally, antidepressants improved IBS symptoms. In comparison with placebo, tricyclic therapy for IBS was more effective than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Antidepressants might be an alternative therapy for patients suffering from IBS, especially diarrhea-predominant IBS.