Determinants of Pouch-Related Symptoms, a Common Outcome of Patients With Adenomatous Polyposis Undergoing Ileoanal Pouch Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) is performed in patients with adenomatous polyposis syndromes (APSs). Data regarding pouch outcomes in APS are scarce. The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of pouch-related symptoms in patients with APS and to identify the contributing factors. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. Demographic, surgical, and clinical data were collected. Endoscopy was performed, and biopsies from the terminal ileum, pouch, and cuff were obtained in all patients and reviewed by a dedicated pathologist. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with APS after IPAA were followed. Twenty patients (39.2%) had pouch-related symptoms. Single-stage IPAA had better outcomes than 2-stage IPAA: fewer daily bowel movements (42.9% vs 13.8% with ≤5 daily bowel movement, P = 0.02), more solid consistency (52.4% vs 6.9%, P < 0.001), and less abdominal pain (19% vs 48.3%, P = 0.034). Younger age at IPAA (<20) was also associated with better outcomes: fewer daily bowel movement (58.3% vs 17.9% with ≤5 daily bowel movement, P = 0.011), less watery consistency (8.3% vs 53.8%, P = 0.005), and abdominal pain (8.3% vs 43.6%, P = 0.037). Eighteen patients (35.3%) had endoscopic signs of inflammation, and 22 patients (43.1%) had histologic signs of pouchitis. However, no correlation was found between symptoms and endoscopic or histologic findings. The median pouchitis disease activity index was low (2, interquartile range 1-4) and did not correlate with clinical symptoms. DISCUSSION: Pouch-related symptoms are common in patients with APS after IPAA. One-stage IPAA and younger age at surgery are associated with better clinical outcomes. However, symptoms do not correlate well with endoscopic or histologic findings or with pouchitis disease activity index and might be attributed to a functional pouch disorder.

Decreased platelet serotonin transporter sites and increased platelet inositol triphosphate levels in patients with unipolar depression: effects of clomipramine and fluoxetine.

BACKGROUND: The central serotonergic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression and in the mechanism of the action of antidepressant drugs. The human platelet has been proposed as a peripheral model of central serotonergic neurons. METHODS: Six peripheral serotonergic parameters were determined simultaneously in 27 patients with unipolar depression before and after 2, 4, and 12 weeks of clomipramine or fluoxetine treatment according to the psychiatrist. RESULTS: In patients with depression versus matched control subjects, platelet [3H]paroxetine binding sites were found to be significantly decreased (2.10 +/- 0.70 versus 3.88 +/- 0.77 fmol/10(9) platelets; P = .0001), platelet serotonin (5-HT) content was found to be significantly decreased (1.90 +/- 1.52 versus 2.74 +/- 1.12 nmol/10(9) platelets; P = .001), and platelet inositol triphosphate levels were found to be significantly increased (2.85 +/- 0.70 versus 1.85 +/- 0.77 fmol/10(9) platelets; P = .0001). No significant difference between patients and control subjects was found for platelet [3H]-lysergic acid diethylamide ([3H]LSD) binding sites, aggregation tests with 5-HT or adenosine diphosphate and plasma 5-HT levels. Treatment with both clomipramine and fluoxetine gradually further reduced the density of platelet [3H]paroxetine binding sites and induced a dramatic decrease in platelet and plasma 5-HT levels. With clomipramine, the decreased blood 5-HT levels are associated with increased platelet [3H]LSD binding sites and aggregation responses. After 12 weeks, nonresponders to both treatments had platelet inositol triphosphate levels that were still increased (2.81 +/- 0.75 fmol/10(9) platelets) when responders levels were not different from those of control subjects (1.41 +/- 0.45 versus 1.70 +/- 0.25 fmol/10(9) platelets). CONCLUSIONS: Drug-free patients with depression had simultaneously decreased 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) sites and overstimulated phosphoinositide signaling systems. Clomipramine and fluoxetine treatments, which further decreased the density of 5-HTT sites, allowed platelet inositol triphosphate levels to return to normal values only in responders.

Passive care and active rehabilitation in a patient with failed back surgery syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of chiropractic care combined with rehabilitative exercise protocol for a 41-yr-old male patient suffering from failed back surgery syndrome. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 41-yr-old man, who herniated his L4-L5 disc 4 yr before presentation and had undergone two surgeries to relieve his symptoms, sought chiropractic care for complaints of chronic, severe low back pain and leg pain with sensorimotor deficits. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: A 16-wk treatment protocol coupled passive chiropractic care (including adjustment, electric stimulation, stretching, massage and moist hot packs), with active rehabilitative exercise (including pelvic stabilization, muscle strengthening, proprioceptive training and movement training). Outcome measures included weekly assessment of the patient's active thoracolumbar flexion and extension by a goniometer. The Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire (Revised Oswestry) and visual analogue pain scale were administered weekly. In addition, daily activities such as ability to walk without a cane and hours of painfree sleep per night were noted each visit. After 16 wk of care, thoracolumbar ranges of motion were restored to normal, pain was reduced from "severe" to "moderate" and ability to perform daily activities was increased. The patient no longer required a cane to walk and was able to walk up to 7 miles without difficulty. Sleep increased from 5 to 7-9 hours per night. The patient halted use of pain medications, except for occasional days when he felt a significant increase in pain. CONCLUSION: A multifactorial treatment approach using passive care plus active rehabilitative exercises can be effective in the treatment of chronic low back pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome. Chiropractors who are trained in rehabilitation techniques will be well prepared to provide comprehensive care to such patients.