Relevance of Excessive Air Swallowing in GERD Patients With Concomitant Functional Dyspepsia and Poor Response to PPI Therapy.

GOALS: The present study was aimed at evaluating the possible role of air swallowing in the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and concomitant functional dyspepsia (FD) and their role in GERD symptom persistence despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. BACKGROUND: It has been shown that individuals with excessive air swallowing experience FD. It has been also demonstrated that a consistent group of GERD patients not responding to PPI therapy swallow more air during mealtime and also have more mixed refluxes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH tracings from consecutive patients were retrospectively evaluated. A validated structured questionnaire was used to evaluate GERD and concomitant FD symptoms. All patients were treated, within the previous year, with at least 8 weeks of standard-dose PPI therapy. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients with conclusive GERD, 35 patients with reflux hypersensitivity, and 35 with functional heartburn were studied. A direct relationship was observed between the number of air swallows and of mixed refluxes ( R =0.64). At receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, air swallows and mixed refluxes were significantly associated to the presence of FD and PPI refractoriness. An air swallow cutoff of 107 episodes/24 hours was identified to discriminate patients with and without FD (sensitivity: 87%, specificity: 82.8%). A mixed reflux cutoff of 34 episodes/24 hours was identified to discriminate PPI responders from nonresponders (sensitivity: 84.8%, specificity: 69%). At multivariate analysis, an abnormal number of air swallows and of mixed refluxes were significantly associated to FD and PPI refractoriness. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the relevant role of excessive air swallowing in eliciting both dyspepsia and refractoriness of typical GERD symptoms to PPI therapy.

Help from habit reversal for supragastric belching.

Supragastric belching differs from common gastric belching. It can be detected by 24-hour intra-esophageal impedance monitoring. Belching is seldom the only symptom: reflux symptom is present in 95% and dysphagia in 65% of the patients. In supragastric belching, the air does not come from the stomach but instead from the esophagus. Belching is caused by the patient him/herself swallowing air into the esophagus. This voluntary but unconscious symptom is treated by therapy in which explaining the mechanism of belching for the patient and learning of correct diaphragmatic breathing technique play a central role. Habit reversal is utilized for teaching the patient to react correctly to preemptive symptoms.

Characteristics of belching, swallowing, and gastroesophageal reflux in belching patients based on Rome III criteria.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Belching is a common disorder with undetermined pathogenesis. With the combined multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring, two different models of belching have been defined: gastric belching (GB) and supragastric belching (SB). The aim of this study was to assess whether SB was associated with air swallowing as compared with GB or healthy volunteers based on Rome III criteria. METHODS: Consecutive patients who presented with troublesome repetitive belching were recruited. Both upper endoscopy and multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring were performed. Patients were divided into two groups: SB and GB groups according to the percentage of the predominant belching types. Twenty volunteers were enrolled as healthy controls. The number of air swallowing, regular swallowing, and gastroesophageal reflux profile was compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included in the study: 25 in the SB group and 12 in GB group. SB patients presented more belching events than GB patients (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences among the SB, GB patients, and healthy volunteers concerning the episodes of air swallowing and regular swallowing (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found among the three groups in regard with the reflux parameters (P > 0.05). The number of gas-containing reflux episodes were 33.0 (20.0, 48.0), 39.5 (29.5, 47.5), and 30.5 (27.0, 41.8) among SB, GB, and healthy volunteers (P = 0.383), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SB patients presented with more belching events compared with GB patients. However, air swallowing and reflux profile were similar among the SB, GB patients, and normal controls.

Simple office-based behavioral approach to patients with chronic belching.

Chronic belching can be a difficult and socially disabling symptom often attributed to reflux with poor response to therapy. In patients where aerophagia is identified as a clear cause, treatment with baclofen may not be tolerated, and biofeedback therapy is time-intensive and may still not be effective. In this pilot study, an office-based easy-to-perform method based on sustained glottal opening was used in five patients with chronic belching, in whom reflux and other causes had been excluded. Treatment consisted of having the patient breathe slowly and diaphragmatically with his or her mouth open during supine, then sitting periods to prevent belching. When this was successful, patients were then counseled on continuing this breathing with mouth slightly ajar as an outpatient using this persistently. Wide mouth opening was used for rescue therapy of belching attacks. All five patients responded to the office-based therapy with complete cessation of belching during the visit. At 1-month follow up, four patients remained asymptomatic. One patient was asymptomatic but for two breakthrough attacks easily managed with the protocol. A simple office-based procedure based on complete glottal opening can be curative for a subset of patients with chronic eructation secondary to repetitive air swallowing.

Anxiety correlates with excessive air swallowing and PPI refractoriness in patients with concomitant symptoms of GERD and functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety may exacerbate GERD and FD symptoms perception and reduce quality of life. As many as 50% of patients with GERD symptoms have incomplete relief with PPI therapy, and psychological factors may influence PPI responsiveness. AIM: The potential relationship between anxiety, excessive air swallowing, and PPI responsiveness was evaluated. METHODS: GERD patients with concomitant FD were prospectively evaluated. Validated structured questionnaires were used to evaluate anxiety, GERD, and FD symptoms. All patients were treated, within the previous year, with at least 8 weeks of standard dose PPI therapy. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-one patients were included. Frequency of non-responders in patients with moderate/severe anxiety was significantly higher compared to patients with mild anxiety (62.7% vs. 37.3%, p < 0.01). Patients with moderate/severe anxiety displayed a significantly higher mean FD symptoms score value compared to patients with mild anxiety. A significantly higher mean number of air swallows were observed in patients with moderate/severe anxiety. At ROC analysis, air swallows and mixed reflux episodes were significantly associated with the presence of PPI refractoriness (AUC: 0.725, 95% CI: 0.645-0.805 and 0.768, 0.692-0.843). According to univariate analysis, an abnormal number of air swallows, mixed reflux episodes and presence of moderate/severe anxiety was significantly associated with PPI refractoriness. CONCLUSION: Our results, if confirmed in in a larger, prospective clinical and therapeutic study, demonstrate the usefulness of an up-front evaluation with anxiety questionnaire and esophageal testing in patients with a broad spectrum of upper gastrointestinal symptoms who fail to respond to PPI treatment, supporting the option of alternative treatment modalities.

Aerophagia among Sri Lankan schoolchildren: epidemiological patterns and symptom characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Aerophagia is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by repetitive air swallowing, abdominal distension, belching, and flatulence. In severe cases, it can lead to pneumoperitonium, volvulus of the colon, and intestinal perforation. Little is known about the epidemiology and clinical profile of affected children. The main objective of the present study was to assess the epidemiology of aerophagia in 10- to 16-year-olds in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 randomly selected schools in 4 randomly selected provinces in Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire, which was distributed in an examination setting and collected on the same day. Trained research assistants were present during completion of the questionnaire, for any required clarification. Aerophagia was diagnosed using the Rome III criteria. RESULTS: In the present study, aerophagia was seen in 163 (7.5%) of the 2163 children evaluated. The prevalence was higher in older children (10.5% in 15-year-olds) and no sex difference was observed (boys 8.2% vs girls 6.8%, P>0.05). Intestinal-related (abdominal pain, nausea, and anorexia) and extraintestinal symptoms (headache, limb pain, sleeping difficulty, photophobia, and lightheadedness) were more prevalent among affected children (P<0.05). A higher percentage of affected children were found to be exposed to stressful events when compared with controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the high prevalence of aerophagia among Sri Lankan children and adolescents. This condition is more common in those exposed to emotional stress. Intestinal-related symptoms and extraintestinal somatic symptoms are frequently seen in affected children.

Aerophagia in a toddler with gastric pull-up: an unusual combination precipitating severe respiratory distress.

Aerophagia is a common disorder in adults as well as children, which often goes unnoticed. In toddlers, it may lead to acute gastric dilatation, which, if severe enough, may lead to respiratory distress. We hereby report case of a child who had successfully undergone gastric pull-up approximately 18 months before and presented with gradually progressing dyspnea due to aerophagia from excessive crying. Expedient diagnosis from history, examination and x-ray study, and simple treatment by passage of feeding tube and gastric decompression relieved the distress and helped us overcome the acute crisis. Literature search revealed few cases of aerophagia after dissociative anesthesia. Management of aerophagia in children is discussed, and the importance of proper clinical diagnosis to prevent unnecessary interventions in an emergency scenario is highlighted.

[Forty-four years of advances in pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of flatulence syndrome]. / 44 años de avances en etiopatogenia, diagnóstico y tratamiento del síndrome flatulencia.

In the present paper, the author reminds investigations performed, since forty-four years ago, to clarify the etiopathogenesis and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the flatulence syndrome.

[Bowel gases]. / A bélgázok jelentosége.

Abdominal bloating is one of the most common symptoms in patients with different gastrointestinal disorders. The majority of patients usually attribute this complaint to increased intestinal gas volume. Recent experimental studies using the gas challenge test help us to better understand the gas dynamics and tolerance in humans. Although there are some clinical conditions that are clearly related to impaired gas dynamics, the role of gases in functional gastrointestinal disorders especially in irritable bowel syndrome is much more complicated. Impaired gas handling, abnormal reflexes and visceral hypersensitivity seem to be the main factors resulting in abdominal bloating in this group of patients. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiologic mechanisms of intestinal gas and this may contribute to the evaluation of optimal therapy.

[Autopsy case of abdominal compartment syndrome in a patient with schizophrenia].

A 61-year-old man who had taken several kinds of psychotropic agents for schizophrenia from eighteen was admitted due to acute abdomen. In spite of any treatment he died after arrival. The autopsy revealed marked dilation of gastrointestinal tracts without necrosis through stomach to rectum and pathological examination disclosed hypoganglionosis of whole gastrointestinal wall. We thought that he died of abdominal compartment syndrome as a result of acute on chronic secondary pseudo-obstruction of gastrointestinal tracts due to acquired hypoganglionosis, megacolon, and aerophagia.

Aerophagia in adolescents is associated with exposure to adverse life events and psychological maladjustment.

BACKGROUND: Aerophagia is a common childhood functional gastrointestinal disorder. We studied the association between adverse life events (ALEs), psychological maladjustment, somatization, and aerophagia (AP) in adolescents. We also assessed the impact of AP on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 2500 subjects of 13-18 years in 8 randomly selected schools in Sri Lanka. Translated, validated, and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Aerophagia was diagnosed using Rome III criteria. KEY RESULTS: A total of 2453 questionnaires were analyzed (males 1200 [48.9%], mean age 14.8 years, SD 1.6 years). Of them, 371 adolescents had AP (15.1%). Aerophagia was associated with exposure to physical abuse (20.4% vs. 12.7% in controls, P < .0001), emotional abuse (20.3% vs. 8.2% in controls, P < .0001), and other ALEs (22% vs. 10.2% in controls, P < .001). One hundred and ninety (51.2%) adolescents with AP and 775 (37.2%) controls had a personality score above the international cutoff value of 105, indicating psychological maladjustment (odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.42-2.21, P < .0001). Those with AP had higher somatization (16.4 vs. 8.9) and lower overall HRQoL scores (77.0 vs. 85.1, P < .0001). HRQoL scores of adolescents with AP were lower in all domains, namely, physical (80.6 vs. 86.9), emotional (69.1 vs. 80.3), social (83.8 vs. 90.5), and school (72.6 vs. 82.5) functioning (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Aerophagia was associated with exposure to ALEs and psychological maladjustment. Affected teenagers suffer from more somatic symptoms and has a poor HRQoL.

Physiologic and pathologic belching.

Accumulation of air in the stomach increases gastric volume, which activates receptors in the gastric wall. A reflex is initiated, leading to relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, upward movement of the air through the esophagus, and finally passage through the upper esophageal sphincter, during which an audible belch can sometimes be heard. Excessive belching is often reported in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia. Often other symptoms are predominant, and these should be treated first. Sometimes patients present with excessive belching as an isolated symptom. These patients belch in very high frequencies, up to 20 times per minute, and often during consultation. This condition is referred to as aerophagia. In these patients air is sucked into the esophagus or injected by pharyngeal contraction, after which it is expelled immediately. Aerophagia is a behavioral disorder, and behavioral therapy and/or speech therapy seems to be the therapy of choice.

Air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux in patients with functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Frequent belching is a common symptom in patients with functional dyspepsia with a reported incidence up to 80%. We hypothesized that patients with functional dyspepsia possibly have a higher frequency of belching than healthy subjects secondary to frequent air swallowing. AIM: To assess air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux patterns of patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: Combined 24-h oesophageal impedance and pH monitoring was performed in 10 functional dyspepsia patients and 10 controls. Analysis of the impedance-pH signals included incidence of air swallows, belching, acid and non-acid reflux. RESULTS: The incidence of air swallows in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher compared with controls (153 +/- 15 vs. 79 +/- 10, P < 0.001), while the incidence of liquid-only swallows were not significantly increased. The proportions of gas-containing reflux episodes (belches) and non-acid reflux episodes in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher when compared with controls (66.4 vs. 44.4%, P = 0.04 and 70.1 vs. 45.9%, P = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with functional dyspepsia swallow air more frequently than controls and this is associated with an increased incidence of non-acid gaseous gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Gas-related symptoms after laparoscopic 360 degrees Nissen or 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as comorbidity.

BACKGROUND: Aerophagia is a rare but well-known comorbidity in patients with gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Particularly after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, it has proven to result in worse symptomatic outcome and a lower postoperative quality of life in comparison to patients without preoperative gas-related symptoms. AIMS: Aim of the study was to compare the postoperative outcome in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as comorbidity after either laparoscopic 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen fundoplication or 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication with main focus on the frequency and subjective impairment of gas-related symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 56 gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients, the comorbidity of aerophagia was diagnosed prior to laparoscopic antireflux surgery. Irrespective of their preoperative manometric findings, the patients were either scheduled to a laparoscopic 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen (n=28) or a laparoscopic 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication (n=28). All patients have been analysed concerning the presence of gas-related symptoms preoperatively as well as 3 months after surgery. Additionally, the subjective degree of impairment was evaluated using a numerous rating scale (0=no perception/impairment, 100=most severe perception/impairment). The following symptoms have been analysed: ability/inability to belch, 'gas bloat', flatulence, postprandial fullness and epigastric pain. RESULTS: Before surgery, there were no significant differences between both surgical groups. Three months after surgery, significant differences (p<0.05-0.01) were found: patients who underwent a laparoscopic 270 degrees Toupet fundoplication suffered from less impairing gas bloat, flatulence and postprandial fullness when compared with patients with a 360 degrees 'floppy' Nissen fundoplication. The majority of these patients were able to belch postoperatively but felt no impairment due to this symptom. In contrast, patients of the Nissen group felt a significant impairment due to the inability to belch. CONCLUSION: Gas-related symptoms are very common in gastrooesophageal reflux disease patients with aerophagia as a comorbidity. Patients who undergo a laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication show less impairment in relation to gas-related problems compared with patients treated with a Nissen fundoplication for a follow-up period of at least 3 months. In the Toupet group, the ability to belch postoperatively seems to be a positive aspect from the patients' view which also improves the percentage of gas-related problems. However, long-term results are necessary.

Botulinum toxin as treatment for a unique case of subcutaneous emphysema.

A developmentally delayed 11-year-old male developed extensive spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema 6 weeks after a laryngotracheal separation. Computed tomography demonstrated a small amount of air at the distal end of the laryngeal stump and significant esophageal air. Aerophagia was diagnosed with air presumed diverted through the laryngeal stump due to cricopharyngeal hypertension. Cricopharyngeal botulinum toxin injection was coordinated with a minimal neck dissection to drain the subcutaneous emphysema. The subcutaneous emphysema gradually improved and the patient was discharged home. His subcutaneous emphysema has not returned after four total botulinum toxin injections every 3 months.

Constipation and flatulence management for stoma patients.

The ostomate (person with a stoma) has many issues to overcome when coming to terms with their new stoma. Some of the problems that can be associated with a colostomy are constipation and flatus. The ileostomate may also be troubled with flatulence. Causal factors for flatus may be ingested air or gut bacteria. Constipation may be a result of many factors, including diet and medication. The community nurse is in an ideal position to assist this patient group and this article offers a number of potential treatments or advice that the community nurse can provide for the ostomate. Many of the tips provided in this article are simple but may be potentially effective.

Gas swallow during meals in patients with excessive belching.

BACKGROUND: Swallowed gas is an important source of abdominal gas, and aerophagia is often believed as a putative cause of gas-related abdominal symptoms. However, altered gas-swallow during meals has not been demonstrated. Our aim was to characterize the number of gas swallows during meals in patients complaining of excessive belching and gaseousness and a control group without abdominal symptoms during a 24-h period. METHODS: A 24-h pH-impedance monitoring was performed in 10 patients with excessive belching, and 11 patients without digestive symptoms or reflux in the pH-impedance study. During the study, patients followed their daily routine and customary meals, without any specific limitation. In each patient the number and content of swallows and belches were analyzed. KEY RESULTS: Total meal periods were similar in controls (75±26 min) and patients (79±21 min; P=.339), but the number of gaseous swallows was greater in patients (114±13 swallows) than controls (71±8 swallows; P=.007), due to a greater frequency of gaseous swallows during meals (15±2 swallows/10 min vs 10±1 swallows/10 min, respectively; P=.008). During the 24-h study period, 66±13 belches were recorded in patients, but only 13±3 belches in controls (P<.001), mainly gastric belches (80±4% and 92±2% of belches, patients, and controls, respectively) which showed a good correlation with the number of gaseous swallows performed during meals (r=.756; P=.011). CONCLUSION AND INFERENCES: Gas is frequently swallowed during meals. Patients complaining of excessive belching have a different swallow pattern during meals, with an increased ingestion of gas that correlates with increased gastric belching events.

[Belching (ructus)]. / Boeren (ructus).

Accumulation of air in the stomach increases the gastric volume, which activates receptors in the gastric wall. This results in a reflex that relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, whereby the intragastric air can escape through the oesophagus. Ventilation of the stomach via the oesophagus is known as belching (ructus). Belching often occurs in combination with reflux symptoms and dyspepsia. In these cases, other symptoms are often more predominant, and it is advisable to treat these first. In patients with aerophagia, belching is the most common reason for medical consultation. These patients belch frequently, up to 20 times per minute, and often during consultation. Aerophagia results from air being sucked into the oesophagus or injected by pharyngeal contraction, after which it is expelled immediately. In contrast to the described gastric belching, aerophagia is therefore a form of supragastric belching. Aerophagia is a behavioural disorder, and behavioural therapy or logopedics appears to be most common therapeutic approach.