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Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, characteristics, and associations of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) among healthcare professionals. Methods: A qualitative survey was conducted among the staff at a tertiary Australian hospital between January 2017 and June 2018. Rome III criteria (excluding endoscopic) were used to define FGID. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore associations. Results: Of the 274 respondents (17% doctors, 66% nurses, 17% others; 77% female), 54% had experienced GI symptoms ≥3 times per week and 23% were diagnosed with FGIDs (2% IBS, 19% FD, 2% both). GI symptoms were more common in females (58% vs. 38%), Caucasians versus Asians (59% vs. 35%), respondents who were easily (67% vs. 40%) or often stressed (58% vs. 37%), and had irregular working hours (62% vs. 46%, each P < 0.05). Independent predictors of GI symptoms included being easily stressed (OR 2.7) and female sex (OR 2.4), while Asian ethnicity was protective (OR 0.42, each P < 0.05). FGIDs were more prevalent in respondents who often felt stressed (27% vs. 10%), felt easily stressed (29% vs. 17%), and in nurses compared to others (27% vs. 16%; each P < 0.05). The only independent predictor of FGID was being often stressed (OR 4.1, P = 0.011). Conclusions: FGIDs and GI symptoms are prevalent among hospital workers. Stress, female sex, irregular working hours, and non-Asian ethnicity appeared to be associated with GI symptoms and FGIDs.
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BACKGROUND: The healing of the mucosal lesion in patients with coeliac disease is slow. AIM: To determine whether concurrent budesonide and gluten-free diet hasten small bowel healing and symptomatic improvement in patients with newly diagnosed coeliac disease. METHODS: In a pilot, randomised, double-blind trial, effects on Marsh grading and quantitative duodenal morphometry of 10 weeks' effervescent budesonide (initially 9 mg/day) or placebo were assessed after 8 and 52 weeks. Multiple clinical measures and adverse events were assessed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were randomised to budesonide and 18 to placebo. No differences (all P > 0.32) were observed for the week-8 mucosal response (Marsh 0 or 1) (budesonide: 37% vs placebo: 28%), week-8 remission (Marsh 0) (32% vs 17%), week-52 response (63% vs 44%) and week-52 remission (42% vs 33%). Likewise, the improvement from baseline in villous-height : crypt-depth ratio was not different for the treatment groups. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical measures or adverse events between the treatment groups. No corticosteroid adverse effects were observed. In a post hoc analysis of all patients, Marsh 3C was present at the diagnostic biopsy in 1/9 achieving mucosal remission at 8 weeks versus 18/23 not (P < 0.001) and mean villous-height : crypt-depth ratio was 1.06 (SD: 0.73) versus 0.46 (0.38) (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot trial, induction therapy with budesonide had no significant effect on mucosal healing in patients with coeliac disease concurrently initiated on a gluten-free diet. Mucosal remission at 8 weeks occurred in approximately one in four patients and was associated with less severe histological lesions at diagnosis.