Relevance and needs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Comparison with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). (Please, if you are not interested in IBS, read it.). / Relevancia y necesidades del síndrome del intestino irritable (SII): comparación con la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII). (Por favor, si no te interesa el SII, léelo.).

INTRODUCTION: In our opinion there is an imbalance between the relevance of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and the resources that are provided. OBJECTIVE: To review the different factors that determine (or should determine) the interest of gastroenterologists in IBS, comparing it with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). For this, 7 different areas have been analyzed: (1)Medical impact; (2)Social impact; (3)Academic importance; (4)Clinical relevance; (5)Scientific relevance; (6)Public relevance, and (7)Personal aspects of the doctor. RESULTS: The prevalence is 10 times higher in IBS, which represents up to 25% of gastroenterologist visits. Both pathologies alter the quality of life, in many cases in a similar way. The social cost is very important in both cases (e.g.: absenteeism of 21% and 18%) as well as the economic cost, although much higher in medication for IBD. Academic dedication is more than double for IBD, both in university and in MIR training. Scientific relevance is greater in IBD, with a number of publications four times higher. Public relevance is not very different between the two entities, although IBD patients are more associative. Doctors prefer IBD and tend to stigmatize IBS. CONCLUSION: In our opinion, to reduce this imbalance between needs and resources, human and material, in IBS it is essential to make drastic changes both in educational aspects, communication skills, prioritization according to the demands of patients, and reward (personal and social) of physicians.

Botulinum toxin type-A infiltration of the external anal sphincter to treat outlet constipation in motor incomplete spinal cord injury: pilot cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Outlet constipation is a major problem in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. We aimed to study the efficacy of external anal sphincter (EAS) infiltration with type-A botulinum toxin (BTX-A) in motor incomplete SCI patients with outlet constipation. METHODS: Double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, comparative study in 16 motor incomplete SCI subjects. Patients were randomly assigned toreceive100 UI of BTX-A (n = 9) or physiologic serum infiltration (n = 7) in the EAS under electromyographic guidance. Outcome measures included a questionnaire for clinical bowel function evaluation, colonic transit time and anorectal manometry. All assessments were done at baseline, 1 and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Fourteen patients completed the study. In the BTX-A group we observed an improvement of subjective perception of bowel function (p = 0.01), constipation (p = 0.02) and neurogenic bowel dysfunction score (p = 0.02). The anorectal manometry revealed are duction of EAS voluntary contraction pressure (p = 0.01). No changes were observed in the placebo group. No significant side effects were observed in none of the groups. CONCLUSION: BTX-A infiltration of the EAS is a safe technique that in motor incomplete SCI, decreases the EAS contraction and the anal canal pressure during straining, and improves outlet constipation symptoms. Future studies in larger populations are needed.

Effectiveness of almagate in gastroesophageal reflux disease: a post-hoc analysis of a randomized cross-over double-blind study.

Almagate (aluminium-magnesium hydroxycarbonate hydrate) is a widely used antacid in Spain as an over-the-counter formulation. However, data on the control of acidity in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are scarce. Herein we report a post-hoc analysis of a randomized crossover double-blind trial (ALR-006; data on file), in which equivalent single oral doses (1.5 g) of two formulations of almagate (AlmaxRetard® and Almax®, Laboratorios Almirall, Barcelona, Spain) were both effective for reflux esophagitis.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in spinal cord injury patients. / Sobrecrecimiento bacteriano del intestino delgado en pacientes con lesión medular.

AIM: Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients may have intestinal dysmotility and digestive symptoms that are associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of SIBO in SCI patients and the risk factors of its development. METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive SCI patients were studied (10 women/19 men; mean age 47 years), 16 with subacute injuries (<9 months) and 13 with chronic injuries (>1 year). Nine patients were affected by tetraplegia and 15 by paraplegia. Each patient underwent a glucose breath test according to the North American Consensus and the presence of abdominal symptoms was evaluated during the test. The results were compared with 15 non-neurological patients with SIBO. RESULTS: Six patients tested positive for SIBO (21%), all of them affected by SCI in the subacute phase, 6/16 vs. 0/13 in the chronic phase (P<.05) and the majority with tetraplegia, 5/9 vs. 1/19 with paraplegia (P<.05). No statistically significant relationship was found with other clinical characteristics. All the tests were positive for methane or mixed (methane and hydrogen), while only 67% of the controls had methane-predominant production (P>.05). CONCLUSION: SCI patients can develop SIBO, more frequently in the subacute phase and in tetraplegic patients, highlighting a high production of methane. This complication should be considered in neurogenic bowel management.

Use of Evidence-Based Herbal Medicines for Patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Conceptional Framework for Risk-Benefit Assessment and Regulatory Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Herbal or complementary medicines are frequently used for the treatment of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). Regulatory requirements for herbal therapies are inconsistent and, in many jurisdictions, herbal therapies are either self-, minimally- or unregulated. AIM: To provide guidance for the appropriate and safe use of herbal medicines in patients with FGID patients with special consideration of the regulatory frameworks. METHODS: A PubMed search of the literature was performed; relevant articles were included. RESULTS: Similar to chemically defined therapies herbal medicines can cause adverse events. Thus, a risk-benefit appraisal should be undertaken for these therapies. While there is no disease specific mortality in FGID patients, patients with FGID who fail to respond to "empiric" chemically defined therapies undergo diagnostic and therapeutic measures that can be associated with appreciable morbidity and mortality. Thus, effective herbal treatments that subsequently reduce health-care utilization, reduce risks related to diagnostic or therapeutic measures that are initiated if no improvement of symptoms occurs. This "protective" effect of effective treatments for FGID needs to be taken in consideration when the risks and benefits of treatments are determined. In addition, standards that mirror regulations for chemically defined treatments should apply and the components of the respective preparations should undergo ongoing toxicological testing and rigorous quality assurance measures (including pharmacovigilance) applied. CONCLUSIONS: Some herbal therapies offer significant benefits for patients with FGID. To ensure the safety of these treatments, the regulatory requirements should mirror requirements for chemically defined treatments.

Economic burden of moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in six European countries.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation (IBS-C) is a complex disorder with gastrointestinal and nervous system components. The study aim was to assess the economic burden of moderate to severe IBS-C in six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK). METHODS: An observational, one year retrospective-prospective (6 months each) study of patients diagnosed in the last five years with IBS-C (Rome III criteria) and moderate to severe disease at inclusion (IBS Symptom Severity Scale score ≥ 175). The primary objective was to assess the direct cost to European healthcare systems. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty-five patients were included, 60% (range: 43.1-78.8%) suffered from severe IBS-C. During follow-up 11.1-24.0% of patients had a hospitalisation/emergency room (ER) visit, median stay range: 1.5-12.0 days and 41.1-90.4% took prescription drugs for IBS-C. 21.4-50.8% of employed patients took sick leave (mean: 11.6-64.1 days). The mean annual direct cost to the healthcare systems was €937.1- €2108.0. The total direct cost (combined costs to healthcare systems and patient) for IBS-C was €1421.7-€2487.1. CONCLUSIONS: IBS-C is not a life-threatening condition; however, it has large impact on healthcare systems and society. Direct and indirect costs for moderate to severe IBS-C were high with the largest direct cost driver being hospitalisations/ER visits.

A retrospective and prospective 12-month observational study of the socioeconomic burden of moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The socioeconomic burden of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) has never been formally assessed in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This 12-month (6-month retrospective and prospective periods) observational, multicentre study assessed the burden of moderate-to-severe IBS-C in Spain. Patients were included if they had been diagnosed with IBS-C (Rome III criteria) within the last 5 years and had moderate-to-severe IBS-C (IBS Symptom Severity Scale score [IBS-SSS] ≥175) at inclusion. The primary objective was to assess the direct cost to the Spanish healthcare system (HS). RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were included, 64 (57%) of which had severe IBS-C at inclusion. At baseline, 89 (80%) patients reported abdominal pain and distention. Patient quality of life (QoL), measured by the IBS-C QoL and EQ-5D instruments, was found to be impaired with a mean score of 59 and 57 (0-100, worst-best), respectively. Over the 6-month prospective period the mean IBS-C severity, measured using the IBS-SSS showed some improvement (315-234 [0-500, best-worst]). During the year, 89 (80%) patients used prescription drugs for IBS-C, with laxatives being the most frequently prescribed (n=70; 63%). The direct cost to the HS was €1067, and to the patient was €568 per year. The total direct cost for moderate-to-severe IBS-C was €1635. DISCUSSION: The majority of patients reported continuous IBS-C symptoms despite that 80% were taking medication to treat their IBS-C. Overall healthcare resource use and direct costs were asymmetric, with a small group of patients consuming the majority of resources.

Open questions and misconceptions in the diagnosis and management of anemia in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. / Preguntas y errores en el diagnóstico y manejo de la anemia en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva.

Despite high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in patients with acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB), IDA and iron deficiency (ID) are frequently untreated. Reasons may be misconceptions about the impact and diagnosis of IDA and the efficacy of new treatments. Addressing these misconceptions, this article summarizes current evidence for better understanding and management of GIB-associated IDA. Despite only few controlled studies evaluated the efficacy of iron treatment in patients with GIB, there is consistent evidence suggesting that: (a) IDA should be diligently investigated, (b) effective treatment of ID/IDA improves outcomes such as health-related quality of life and can avoid severe cardiovascular consequences, and (c) intravenous iron should be considered as well-tolerated treatment in this setting. Overall, the misconceptions and practices outlined in this article should be replaced with strategies that are more in line with current guidelines and best practice in GIB and other underlying conditions of ID/IDA.

Bowel Disorders.

Functional bowel disorders are highly prevalent disorders found worldwide. These disorders have the potential to affect all members of society, regardless of age, gender, race, creed, color or socioeconomic status. Improving our understanding of functional bowel disorders (FBD) is critical as they impose a negative economic impact to the global health care system in addition to reducing quality of life. Research in the basic and clinical sciences during the past decade has produced new information on the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of FBDs. These important findings created a need to revise the Rome III criteria for FBDs, last published in 2006. This manuscript classifies the FBDs into five distinct categories: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); functional constipation (FC); functional diarrhea (FDr); functional abdominal bloating/distention (FAB/D); and unspecified FBD (U-FBD). Also included in this article is a new sixth category, opioid induced constipation (OIC) which is distinct from the functional bowel disorders (FBDs). Each disorder will first be defined, followed by sections on epidemiology, rationale for changes from prior criteria, clinical evaluation, physiologic features, psychosocial features and treatment. It is the hope of this committee that this new information will assist both clinicians and researchers in the decade to come.

Randomized, multicenter study: on-demand versus continuous maintenance treatment with esomeprazole in patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Most patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease experience symptomatic relapse after stopping acid-suppressive medication. The aim of this study was to compare willingness to continue treatment with esomeprazole on-demand versus continuous maintenance therapy for symptom control in patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) after 6 months. METHODS: This multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel-group study enrolled adults with NERD who were heartburn-free after 4 weeks' treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg daily. Patients received esomeprazole 20 mg daily continuously or on-demand for 6 months. The primary variable was discontinuation due to unsatisfactory treatment. On-demand treatment was considered non-inferior if the upper limit of the one-sided 95 % confidence interval (CI) for the difference between treatments was <10 %. RESULTS: Of 877 patients enrolled, 598 were randomized to maintenance treatment (continuous: n = 297; on-demand: n = 301). Discontinuation due to unsatisfactory treatment was 6.3 % for on-demand and 9.8 % for continuous treatment (difference -3.5 % [90 % CI: -7.1 %, 0.2 %]). In total, 82.1 and 86.2 % of patients taking on-demand and continuous therapy, respectively, were satisfied with the treatment of heartburn and regurgitation symptoms, a secondary variable (P = NS). Mean study drug consumption was 0.41 and 0.91 tablets/day, respectively. Overall, 5 % of the on-demand group developed reflux esophagitis versus none in the continuous group (P < 0.0001). The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale Reflux dimension was also improved for continuous versus on-demand treatment. Esomeprazole was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of willingness to continue treatment, on-demand treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg was non-inferior to continuous maintenance treatment and reduced medication usage in patients with NERD who had achieved symptom control with initial esomeprazole treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT02670642 ; Date of registration: December 2015.

Ferric carboxymaltose reduces transfusions and hospital stay in patients with colon cancer and anemia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of preoperative intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) administration vs. no-IV iron in colon cancer (CC) anemic patients undergoing elective surgery with curative intention. METHODS: This was a multicenter, observational study including two cohorts of consecutive CC anemic patients: the no-IV iron treatment group was obtained retrospectively while FCM-treated patients were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients were included: 111 received FCM (median dose 1000 mg) and 155 were no-IV iron subjects. Both groups were similar in terms of demographic characteristics, tumor location, surgical approach, and intra-operative bleeding severity. The FCM group showed a significant lower need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during the study (9.9 vs. 38.7%; OR: 5.9, p < 0.001). In spite of lower hemoglobin levels at baseline diagnosis and lower transfusion rates in the FCM group, the proportion of responders was significantly higher with respect to the no-IV group both at hospital admission (48.1 vs. 20.0%, p < 0.0001) and at 30 days post-surgery (80.0 vs. 48.9%, p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with normalized hemoglobin levels was also higher in the FCM group (40.0 vs. 26.7% at 30 days, p < 0.05). A lower number of reinterventions and post-surgery complications were seen in the FCM group (20.7 vs. 26.5%; p = 0.311). The FCM group presented a significant shorter hospital stay (8.4 ± 6.8 vs. 10.9 ± 12.4 days to discharge; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative ferric carboxymaltose treatment in patients with CC and iron deficiency anemia significantly reduced RBC transfusion requirements and hospital length of stay, reaching higher response rates and percentages of normalized hemoglobin levels both at hospital admission and 30 days post-surgery.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and functional constipation in the adult.

In this Clinical Practice Guideline we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of adult patients with constipation and abdominal complaints at the confluence of the irritable bowel syndrome spectrum and functional constipation. Both conditions are included among the functional bowel disorders, and have a significant personal, healthcare, and social impact, affecting the quality of life of the patients who suffer from them. The first one is the irritable bowel syndrome subtype, where constipation represents the predominant complaint, in association with recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and abdominal distension. Constipation is characterized by difficulties with or low frequency of bowel movements, often accompanied by straining during defecation or a feeling of incomplete evacuation. Most cases have no underlying medical cause, and are therefore considered as a functional bowel disorder. There are many clinical and pathophysiological similarities between both disorders, and both respond similarly to commonly used drugs, their primary difference being the presence or absence of pain, albeit not in an "all or nothing" manner. Severity depends not only upon bowel symptom intensity but also upon other biopsychosocial factors (association of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms, grade of involvement, and perception and behavior variants). Functional bowel disorders are diagnosed using the Rome criteria. This Clinical Practice Guideline has been made consistent with the Rome IV criteria, which were published late in May 2016, and discuss alarm criteria, diagnostic tests, and referral criteria between Primary Care and gastroenterology settings. Furthermore, all the available treatment options (exercise, fluid ingestion, diet with soluble fiber-rich foods, fiber supplementation, other dietary components, osmotic or stimulating laxatives, probiotics, antibiotics, spasmolytics, peppermint essence, prucalopride, linaclotide, lubiprostone, biofeedback, antidepressants, psychological therapy, acupuncture, enemas, sacral root neurostimulation, surgery) are discussed, and practical recommendations are made regarding each of them.

Functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders. / Trastornos funcionales y motores digestivos.

This article discusses the most interesting presentations at Digestive Disease Week, held in San Diego, in the field of functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders. One of the most important contributions was undoubtedly the presentation of the new Rome IV diagnostic criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders. We therefore devote some space in this article to explaining these new criteria in the most common functional disorders. In fact, there has already been discussion of data comparing Rome IV and Rome III criteria in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, confirming that the new criteria are somewhat more restrictive. From the physiopathological point of view, several studies have shown that the aggregation of physiopathological alterations increases symptom severity in distinct functional disorders. From the therapeutic point of view, more data were presented on the efficacy of acotiamide and its mechanisms of action in functional dyspepsia, the safety and efficacy of domperidone in patients with gastroparesis, and the efficacy of linaclotide both in irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. In irritable bowel syndrome, more data have come to light on the favourable results of a low FODMAP diet, with emphasis on its role in modifying the microbiota. Finally, long-term efficacy data were presented on the distinct treatment options in achalasia.

The low-FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome: Lights and shadows.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 10-15% of the western population. Drug therapy for this entity has shown limited efficacy. The low Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAP) diet has recently emerged as an effective intervention for reducing gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS. Currently, several mechanistic studies have proven the rational basis of carbohydrate restriction. In addition, high-quality evidence (prospective studies and randomized controlled trials) from a variety of countries supports the high effectiveness of a low-FODMAP diet for IBS symptoms (70%), especially abdominal bloating, pain, and diarrhea. Importantly, this diet seems to be superior to a gluten-free diet for patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The most controversial features of the low FODMAP diet are its short- and long-term limitations (a high level of restriction, the need for monitoring by an expert dietitian, potential nutritional deficiencies, significant gut microbiota reduction, lack of predictors of response), as well as the potential lack of advantage over alternative dietary, pharmacological and psychological interventions for IBS. Although liberalization of carbohydrate intake is recommended in the long-term, the reintroduction process remains to be clarified as, theoretically, global carbohydrate restriction is deemed to be necessary to avoid additive effects.

IV Spanish Consensus Conference on Helicobacter pylori infection treatment. / IV Conferencia Española de Consenso sobre el tratamiento de la infección por Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori approximately infect 50% of Spanish population and causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Until now, three consensus meetings on H.pylori infection had been performed in Spain (the last in 2012). The changes in the treatment schemes, and the increasing available evidence, have justified organizing the IVSpanish Consensus Conference (March 2016), focused on the treatment of this infection. Nineteen experts participated, who performed a systematic review of the scientific evidence and developed a series of recommendation that were subjected to an anonymous Delphi process of iterative voting. Scientific evidence and the strength of the recommendation were classified using GRADE guidelines. As starting point, this consensus increased the minimum acceptable efficacy of recommended treatments that should reach, or preferably surpass, the 90% cure rate when prescribed empirically. Therefore, only quadruple therapies (with or without bismuth), and generally lasting 14 days, are recommended both for first and second line treatments. Non-bismuth quadruple concomitant regimen, including a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and metronidazole, is recommended as first line. In the present consensus, other first line alternatives and rescue treatments are also reviewed and recommended.

[Functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders]. / Trastornos funcionales y motores digestivos.

This article discusses the most interesting studies on functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders presented at Digestive Diseases Week (DDW), 2015. Researchers are still seeking biomarkers for irritable bowel syndrome and have presented new data. One study confirmed that the use of low-dose antidepressants has an antinociceptive effect without altering the psychological features of patients with functional dyspepsia. A contribution that could have immediate application is the use of transcutaneous electroacupuncture, which has demonstrated effectiveness in controlling nausea in patients with gastroparesis. New data have come to light on the importance of diet in irritable bowel syndrome, although the effectiveness of a low-FODMAP diet seems to be losing momentum with time. Multiple data were presented on the long-term efficacy of rifaximin therapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhoea. In addition, among other contributions, and more as a curiosity, a study evaluated the effect of histamine in the diet of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and constipation with pain/discomfort: similarities and differences.

OBJECTIVES: Some patients with chronic constipation (CC) have abdominal pain and discomfort (painful CC) without fulfilling the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Our aim was to investigate similarities and differences among nonpainful CC, painful CC, and CC in patients with IBS according to prevalence, individual symptoms, associated factors, and impact on health-related quality of life and use of medical resources. METHODS: We conducted a telephone survey of a random sample of the Spanish population (N=1500). Bowel symptoms were recorded using the Rome III questionnaire, health-related quality of life using the short form-12 (SF-12) and quality of live in constipation-20 (CVE-20) questionnaires, and self-reported constipation, lifestyle habits, and consultation behavior using an ad hoc questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CC was 19.2%, with prevalence by subgroups being 13.9% for nonpainful CC, 2.0% for painful CC, and 3.3% for CC in patients with IBS. CC was more prevalent among women at a ratio of 2.7:1. Subjects with painful CC and CC in patients with IBS were younger, reported more constipation, and had more symptoms than subjects with nonpainful CC. Age and physical activity were significantly associated with CC. Symptoms associated with consultation were abdominal pain and digitation. Nonpainful CC patients were more satisfied with laxative use than were the other subgroups. Subjects with CC showed a significant impairment in the physical and mental component of the SF-12 questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: CC appears to be a spectrum; most patients do not have abdominal pain/discomfort but others (with otherwise quite similar characteristics) are patients with IBS or are out of any established diagnosis.

[Motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders]. / Trastornos funcionales y motores digestivos.

This article discusses the studies on functional and motor gastrointestinal disorders presented at the 2014 Digestive Diseases Week conference that are of greatest interest to us. New data have been provided on the clinical importance of functional gastrointestinal disorders, with recent prevalence data for irritable bowel syndrome and fecal incontinence. We know more about the pathophysiological mechanisms of the various functional disorders, especially irritable bowel syndrome, which has had the largest number of studies. Thus, we have gained new data on microinflammation, genetics, microbiota, psychological aspects, etc. Symptoms such as abdominal distension have gained interest in the scientific community, both in terms of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and those with constipation. From the diagnostic point of view, the search continues for a biomarker for functional gastrointestinal disorders, especially for irritable bowel syndrome. In the therapeutic area, the importance of diet for these patients (FODMAP, fructans, etc.) is once again confirmed, and data is provided that backs the efficacy of already marketed drugs such as linaclotide, which rule out the use of other drugs such as mesalazine for patients with irritable bowel syndrome. This year, new forms of drug administration have been presented, including metoclopramide nasal sprays and granisetron transdermal patches for patients with gastroparesis. Lastly, a curiosity that caught our attention was the use of a vibrating capsule to stimulate gastrointestinal transit in patients with constipation.

[Importance of diet in irritable bowel syndrome]. / Importancia de la dieta en el síndrome del intestino irritable.

About two-thirds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients associate their symptoms with certain foods. We reviewed food-related factors putatively associated with manifestations of IBS. Soluble fiber may improve constipation but frequently increases bloating and abdominal pain. Carbohydrate malabsorption seems to be more frequent in IBS. A low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet significantly reduces IBS symptoms and has been suggested as a therapeutic option. Serological screening for celiac disease should be done in patients without constipation. Moreover, non-celiac disease gluten sensitivity, defined as gluten intolerance once celiac disease and wheat allergy have been ruled out, should be considered in these patients. There is no specific diet for IBS patients but small and frequent meals, avoiding greasy foods, dairy products, many carbohydrates, caffeine and alcohol, is recommended.

Iron therapy supplementation in inflammatory bowel disease patients with iron deficiency anemia: findings from a real-world analysis in Italy.

BACKGROUND: This real-world analysis evaluated iron therapy supplementation in inflammatory bowel disease patients with iron-deficiency anemia, considering disease progression and healthcare resource consumption. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted using administrative databases of a pool of Italian healthcare entities, covering about 9.3 million beneficiaries. Between January 2010 and September 2017, adult patients were enrolled in the presence of either hospitalization or active exemption code for ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease, or one vedolizumab prescription. Iron-deficiency anemia was identified by at least one prescription for iron and/or hospitalization for iron-deficiency anemia and/or blood transfusion (proxy of diagnosis). Patients were divided in untreated and iron-treated during 12-month follow-up and analyzed before and after propensity score matching. Disease progression, was evaluated through inflammatory bowel disease-related hospitalizations and surgeries, and healthcare resource utilization was assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 1753 patients were included, 1077 (61.4%) treated with iron therapy and 676 (38.6%) untreated. After propensity score matching, 655 patients were included in each group. In unbalanced cohorts, disease progression was significantly reduced in patients receiving iron therapy compared to the untreated (11.0% vs. 15.7%, P  < 0.01), and this trend was maintained also after applying propensity score matching. The overall mean cost/patient was significantly lower in iron-treated than untreated (4643€ vs. 6391€, P  < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings of this real-world analysis suggest that iron therapy was associated with significant benefits in inflammatory bowel disease patients with iron-deficiency anemia, in terms of both disease progression and healthcare resource utilization.