The effect of fiber supplementation with agave fructans or psyllium plantago in symptoms of constipation and its relation with whole and regional transit time and pH.

BACKGROUND: Supplementation with the Agave tequilana Weber blue variety fructans is a feasible treatment option for functional constipation (FC). However, its effects on colonic function have not yet been studied. This study assessed whole gut transit time (WGTT) and regional transit time using a wireless motility capsule (WMC) before and after supplementation with different fiber treatments in patients with FC. METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed on data collected from a randomized, double-blind clinical trial comparing agave fructans with psyllium plantago. WGTT, regional transit time, contractility, and pH were measured using WMC before and after fiber supplementation. Comparisons were performed using nonparametric tests. KEY RESULTS: Twenty patients with FC were evaluated, with a median age of 39 (25-54 years), and 18 (90%) were women. Five patients were included in each intervention group. There were no changes in WGTT or regional transit times between the groups (p > 0.05). Similarly, there were no differences in the changes experienced by regional or general contractility among the groups (p > 0.05). The cecal pH profile did not differ between the groups before and after fiber supplementation (p > 0.05). The percentages of clinical responses and consistency of bowel movements between the groups were similar. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: FC presents a clinical response to a fiber challenge, regardless of the administered intervention. However, this response was not associated with improvement in contractility or regional transit time. We speculate that there are other mechanisms by which fiber consumption may improve FC.

The Effects of Agave Fructans in a Functional Food Consumed by Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Irritable bowel syndrome displays three different subtypes: constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), and mixed (IBS-M). Treatment with dietary fiber is used, with consideration given both to the chemical composition of the fiber and to the different subtypes of IBS. The IBS-D subtype is usually treated with a low-FODMAPs diet, whereas the IBS-C subtype suggests prebiotics and probiotics to promote microbiota restoration. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of employing agave fructans as the soluble fiber of a jelly (Gelyfun®gastro) containing 8 g per serving in the IBS-C group (n = 50), using a randomized, double-blind, time-limited trial for four weeks. We evaluated changes in the frequency and types of bowel movements through the Bristol scale, and the improvement of the condition was evaluated using quality of life (IBS-QOL) and anxiety-depression (HADS) scales. The main results were that the number of bowel movements increased by more than 80%, with at least one stool per day from fifteen days onwards, without a laxative effect for the group treated. Finally, the quality of life with the prebiotic jelly was significantly improved compared to the placebo in all specific domains, in addition to significantly reducing anxiety and depression.

Comparative assessment of efficacy and safety of approved oral therapies for overactive bladder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

bladder based on a systematic review and network meta-analysis approach. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials databases were systematically searched. The search time frame was from database creation to June 2, 2022. Randomized controlled double-blind trials of oral medication for overactive bladder were screened against the protocol's entry criteria. Trials were evaluated for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool, and data were statistically analyzed using Stata 16.0 software. RESULT: A total of 60 randomized controlled double-blind clinical trials were included involving 50,333 subjects. Solifenacin 10mg was the most effective in mean daily micturitions and incontinence episodes, solifenacin 5/10mg in mean daily urinary urgency episodes and nocturia episodes, fesoterodine 8mg in urgency incontinence episodes/d and oxybutynin 5mg in voided volume/micturition. In terms of safety, solifenacin 5mg, ER-tolterodine 4mg, mirabegron, vibegron and ER-oxybutynin 10mg all showed a better incidence of dry mouth, fesoterodine 4mg, ER-oxybutynin 10mg, tolterodine 2mg, and vibegron in the incidence of constipation. Compared to placebo, imidafenacin 0.1mg showed a significantly increased incidence in hypertension, solifenacin 10mg in urinary tract infection, fesoterodine 4/8mg and darifenacin 15mg in headache. CONCLUSION: Solifenacin showed better efficacy. For safety, most anticholinergic drugs were more likely to cause dry mouth and constipation, lower doses were better tolerated. The choice of drugs should be tailored to the patient's specific situation to find the best balance between efficacy and safety.

Picosulfato de sodio para alivio del estreñimiento / Sodium Picosulfate for Constipation Relief

INTRODUCCIÓN: La evidencia de cuidados paliativos es un planteamiento para mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes (adultos y niños) y sus familias, que afrontan problemas inherentes a una enfermedad potencialmente mortal. El de cuidados paliativos es un planteamiento para mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes (adultos y niños) y sus familias, que afrontan problemas inherentes a una enfermedad potencialmente mortal. Los cuidados paliativos permiten prevenir y aliviar el sufrimiento mediante la detección temprana, la evaluación correcta y el tratamiento del dolor y otros problemas. La atención paliativa previene y alivia el sufrimiento de todo orden, físico, psicológico, social o espiritual, que experimentan los adultos y niños que viven con problemas de salud que limitan la vida. Promueve la dignidad, la calidad de vida y la adaptación a las enfermedades progresivas, y utiliza para ello los mejores datos probatorios disponibles. Se calcula que en el mundo se requieren cuidados paliativos en el 40% al 60% de las defunciones 2. Los cuidados paliativos son necesarios para una amplia gama de enfermedades que limitan la vida. La mayoría de los adultos que los precisan tienen enfermedades crónicas, como enfermedades cardiovasculares (38,5%), cáncer (34%), enfermedades respiratorias crónicas (10,3%), sida (5,7%) y diabetes (4,6%). Muchas otras afecciones pueden requerir cuidados paliativos, incluidas la insuficiencia renal, la hepatopatía crónica, la artritis reumatoide, las enfermedades neurológicas, la demencia, las anomalías congénitas y la tuberculosis farmacorresistente. El dolor es uno de los síntomas más frecuentes y graves que sufren los pacientes que necesitan cuidados paliativos. Los analgésicos opioides son esenciales para tratar el dolor y otros síntomas físicos penosos comunes que se asocian con numerosas enfermedades progresivas en estado avanzado. Por ejemplo, el 80% de los pacientes con sida o cáncer y el 67% de los que padecen enfermedades cardiovasculares o enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica experimentará dolor de moderado a intenso al final de la vida 3 En el 2011, el 83% de la población mundial vivía en países en los que el acceso a los analgésicos opioides era escaso o nulo. METODOLOGÍA: 1. Descripción del medicamento solicitado según FDA/AEMPS. 2. Informe Técnico: Revisión de la evidencia científica, recomendaciones de uso de las Agencias Reguladoras y Guías de Práctica Clínica de los medicamentos. 3. Costos del medicamento y disponibilidad. 4. Conclusiones. 5. Recomendaciones. RESULTADOS: Se han cotejado las fichas farmacológicas de Agencias Reguladoras como AEMPS/FDA, Con aprobación de la Food and Drug Administration (FDA) desde 1996 y de la European Medicines Agency (EMA) desde 1997. Además de verificar Expediente Electrónico de la DNM, para: PICOSULFATO DE SODIO. Además, se han encontrado publicaciones científicas que avalan el uso de este medicamento para enfermedad de Alzheimer de moderada a grave. CONCLUSIONES: De acuerdo a la investigación de información técnica y científica sobre el tema, se concluye lo siguiente: El ISSS cuenta con un Centro Especializado Integral de Atención Ambulatoria La Ceiba, la cual suministra Atención domiciliar y Cuidados paliativos. El dolor es uno de los síntomas más frecuentes y graves que sufren los pacientes que necesitan cuidados paliativos. Los analgésicos opioides son esenciales para tratar el dolor y otros síntomas físicos penosos comunes que se asocian con numerosas enfermedades progresivas en estado avanzado. Por ejemplo, el 80% de los pacientes con sida o cáncer y el 67% de los que padecen enfermedades cardiovasculares o enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica experimentará dolor de moderado a intenso al final de la vida 18 En el 2011, el 83% de la población mundial vivía en países en los que el acceso a los analgésicos opioides era escaso o nulo. Según la OPS/OMS. el estreñimiento es altamente prevalente (50-95 %) en cuidados paliativos (CP). Alrededor del 90 % de los pacientes que reciben opioides fuertes y del 65% de los que no los reciben, requieren laxantes. A pesar de ser una importante causa de morbilidad, su importancia suele ser subestimada en el contexto de otros síntomas. Debido a las limitaciones que se encuentran en la definición de etiologías que encierra el término "estreñimiento", entre ellos: estreñimiento crónico idiopático, estreñimiento secundario por el uso de opioides, síndrome de intestino irritable con estreñimiento, entre otras, y cada una de estas etiologías representa una población diferente y por ende, un tratamiento específico. Además, entre las mismas etiologías de la enfermedad, existen diferencias de tratamiento entre pacientes según la edad y patologías subyacentes, por dar un ejemplo, el manejo del estreñimiento crónico idiopático es diferente en pacientes adultos que en población considerada de primera infancia. Varios medicamentos utilizados para el tratamiento del dolor y otros síntomas comunes en los cuidados paliativos, están incluidos en la Lista Modelo de la OMS de Medicamentos Esenciales para adultos y niños. Con estos medicamentos esenciales se puede aliviar adecuadamente la gran mayoría de los síntomas penosos para los pacientes. Los analgésicos opioides son esenciales para controlar eficazmente el dolor de moderado a intenso. Las directrices de la OMS del 2012 sobre manejo del dolor en niños recomiendan la analgesia fuerte con opioides, como esencial para el alivio del dolor de moderado a intenso en los niños. Desde la perspectiva del sistema de salud colombiano indican que tanto el picosulfato de sodio como la lactulosa, nominadas por el Ministerio de Salud y Protección Social no son estrategias costo efectivas frente al psyllium ya que este último tiene una mayor efectividad, pero, además, los costos estimados de utilizarlo son muchos menores. Al comparar la lactulosa (Código LOM 8020706), con las demás alternativas, se aprecia que es la menos efectiva, sin embargo, no es una diferencia sustancial, de hecho, es posible argumentar que ésta, junto con polietilenglicol, picosulfato de sodio, bisacodilo, prucaloprida y lubiprostone conforman un grupo con efectividades muy similares. Las diferencias que se aprecian están en el costo de las dos últimas, prucaloprida y lubiprostone tienen un costo que dobla al de las otras cuatro alternativas, bajo las condiciones actuales del mercado local (de Colombia). Con respecto a la información sobre efectividad y seguridad encontrada en las diferentes evaluaciones técnicas consultadas, sugieren que los medicamentos utilizados en estos casos, (mencionados arriba), son más efectivos frente al placebo, y que comparándolo uno a uno, estos no presentan diferencias de efectividad estadísticamente significativas.

THE ROLE OF BOWEL DIARIES IN A "REAL-LIFE" SETTING.

BACKGROUND: Despite the potential advantages of patients' self-recordings of bowel habits in lower digestive disorders, few studies evaluate the relevance of clinical information obtained through bowel diaries in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of bowel diaries as an auxiliary diagnostic tool in lower gastrointestinal disorders consultations. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, at the end of their gastroenterology consultation, patients were questioned about their bowel habits and gastrointestinal symptoms. The bowel diary was then filled by the patients at home for 2 weeks. The data collected from the clinical interview and from the bowel diaries were analyzed. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients participated in the study. Patients underestimated the number of their bowel movements (BM) in the interviews compared with the bowel diaries (P=0.007). There was a poor agreement between stool consistencies described in the interviews and recorded in the diaries (k=0.281). Patients overestimated their straining during evacuation in the interviews compared with the diaries (P=0.012). Regarding the subgroups' analysis, patients with proctological disorders described less BM in their interviews (P=0.033). Straining during evacuation was higher in the interviews of patients without proctological disorders (P=0.028) and in the interviews of more educated patients (P=0.028). CONCLUSION: Overall, there were discrepancies between the clinical interview and the bowel diary regarding the number of BM, the stool consistency and straining. Bowel diaries are therefore a relevant instrument as a complement to the clinical interview to objectify patients' complaints and treat functional gastrointestinal disorders more adequately.

Lactobacillus reuteri como probiótico para cólicos infantiles, diarrea, dolor abdominal funcional y estreñimiento funcional en pediatría / Lactobacillus reuteri as a probiotic for infantile colic, diarrhea, functional abdominal pain and functional constipation in pediatrics

INTRODUCCIÓN: El principio del uso de probióticos proviene de la utilización de productos fermentados, desde tiempos muy antiguos. Se definen como microorganismos vivos que, administrados en cantidades adecuadas, confieren beneficios para la salud.[1] Entre las utilidades atribuidas a los probióticos, las más extensamente estudiadas han sido los efectos en niños con diarrea aguda. Existe abundante bibliografía sobre la utilización de estos productos en el tratamiento y la prevención de diarrea aguda infecciosa, y prevención de diarrea nosocomial y de diarrea asociada al uso de antibióticos. Los estudios son heterogéneos en su metodología y muestran resultados dispares, incluso contradictorios. En la interpretación de éstos es imprescindible tener en cuenta las cepas de probióticos utilizadas, las dosis administradas y las características de los pacientes en quienes fueron probadas.[2] El cólico infantil, o el llanto excesivo de causa desconocida, es una condición de pesada carga que afecta aproximadamente 1 cada 5 bebés menores de 3 meses de edad.[3] El cólico infantil es comúnmente definido por los criterios de Wessel modificados como la presencia de llanto y/o molestias > 3 horas al día durante = 3 días a la semana.[4] El cólico infantil es un problema frecuente en la consulta pediátrica. Su prevalencia mundial es del 15 al 40% en niños menores de cuatro meses, independientemente del tipo de lactancia administrada El dolor abdominal funcional es un dolor de estómago episódico o continuo sin causa orgánica. Esto significa que el dolor no es causado por un cambio físico o fisiológico de algún tejido u órgano. Por lo general, el dolor se localiza alrededor del ombligo, pero el patrón y la localización de este dolor no siempre son predecibles. El dolor puede ocurrir repentinamente o ir incrementando lentamente de intensidad. Puede ser constante o variar en severidad. Este afecta a niños entre 4 y 18 años, con un pico de presentación entre los 5 y los 7 años, justo cuando el niño comienza a ir al colegio, y otro pico entre los 8 y los 12 años. Se estima que entre el 10 y el 20% de los niños en edad escolar padecen trastornos funcionales de dolor. El dolor abdominal funcional es más común en las niñas.[6] El estreñimiento funcional es un problema común en pediatría, con una prevalencia mundial estimada del 3 %. La constipación funcional es originada por la retención voluntaria de materia fecal debido al dolor o miedo evacuatorio. Los desencadenantes pueden ser por un cambio en la dieta, la dificultad en el abandono del pañal, durante el período de escolarización o, simplemente, el antecedente de haber padecido una deposición previa dolorosa, que produce conductas retentivas secundarias al temor. Estas conducen a una mayor absorción colónica de agua, lo que crea heces duras, con el consiguiente círculo vicioso que puede desencadenar escurrimiento fecal. OBJECTIVO: Evaluar rapidamente los parâmetros de eficácia, seguridade, costos y recomendacones disponibles acerca del empleo de L. reuteri para el tratamento de personas con cólicos infnatiles, diarrea, dolor abdominal funional, estreñimiento funcional en niños. METODOLOGIA: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las principales bases de datos tales como PUBMED, LILACS, BRISA, COCHRANE, SCIELO, EMBASE, TRIPDATABASE como así también en sociedades científicas, agencias reguladoras, financiadores de salud y agencias de evaluación de tecnologias sanitárias. Se priorizó la inclusión de revisiones sistemáticas, ensayos clínicos controlados aleatorizados, evaluación de tecnología sanitária y guias de práctica clínica. RESULTADOS: Se hicieron recomendaciones para el uso de cepas probióticas específicas para el tratamiento de la gastroenteritis aguda, la prevención de la diarrea asociada a antibióticos, la diarrea nosocomial y la enterocolitis necrotizante, el tratamiento de la infección por Helicobacter pylori y el tratamiento de los trastornos funcionales del dolor abdominal y los cólicos infantiles. CONCLUSIONES: Los probióticos, en general, se consideran seguros para su uso en niños en las indicaciones de cólico del lactante, diarrea aguda, estreñimiento funcional y dolor abdominal funcional pediátrico. Sin embargo, es importante destacar que pueden causar efectos secundarios gastrointestinales leves en algunos casos, como gases, distensión abdominal o molestias estomacales. Estos efectos suelen ser transitorios y desaparecen con el tiempo o al suspender el uso de los probióticos. En raras ocasiones, se han reportado complicaciones más serias, como infecciones sistémicas en pacientes inmunocomprometidos, aunque son extremadamente infrecuentes. En la actualidad, los probióticos se consideran un complemento terapéutico más que un tratamiento definitivo para las diversas indicaciones solicitadas. Aunque existen pruebas limitadas sobre su eficacia en la mejora de estas condiciones, especialmente en el ámbito pediátrico, su inclusión en los listados institucionales es aún limitado. Sin embargo, contar con una gama más amplia de opciones terapéuticas fortalecería el arsenal de herramientas disponibles para los pediatras en la gestión de problemas de la práctica clínica habitual, que con frecuencia resultan en consultas recurrentes por parte de los padres. Por lo tanto, la ampliación del uso de probióticos podría proporcionar beneficios adicionales en el manejo de diversas afecciones pediátricas, ofreciendo opciones terapéuticas complementarias y promoviendo una atención integral y personalizada para los pacientes pediátricos.

Polyethylene glycol combined with lactulose has better efficacy than polyethylene glycol alone in bowel preparation before colonoscopy: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of diagnosis and the safety of treatment in colonoscopy depends largely on the quality of bowel cleansing. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse reactions of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) combined with lactulose with that of PEG alone in bowel preparation before colonoscopy. METHODS: The authors searched a number of databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and China Academic Journals Full-text Database. The authors screened according to literature inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed the quality of the included literature, and extracted the data. The meta-analysis of included literature used RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 18 studies, including 2274 patients, were enrolled. The meta-analysis showed that PEG combined with lactulose had a better efficacy (OR = 3.87, 95% CI 3.07‒4.87, p = 0.000, and I2 = 36.2% in the efficiency group; WMD = 0.86, 95% CI 0.69‒1.03, p = 0.032 and I2 = 0% in the BBPS score group) in bowel preparation for patients with or without constipation. Moreover, PEG combined with lactulose had fewer adverse reactions, including abdominal pain (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 0.94‒2.14, p = 0.094), nausea (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.13‒2.28, p = 0.009) and vomiting (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.14‒2.74, p = 0.011), than PEG alone. No significant reduction in the incidence of abdominal distention was observed. CONCLUSION: PEG combined with lactulose may be a better choice for bowel preparation before colonoscopy compared with PEG alone.

Luteolin ameliorates loperamide-induced functional constipation in mice.

Functional constipation (FC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders characterized by hard stools and infrequent bowel movements, which is associated with dysfunction of the enteric nervous system and intestinal motility. Luteolin, a naturally occurring flavone, was reported to possess potential pharmacological activities on intestinal inflammation and nerve injury. This study aimed to explore the role of luteolin and its functional mechanism in loperamide-induced FC mice. Our results showed that luteolin treatment reversed the reduction in defecation frequency, fecal water content, and intestinal transit ratio, and the elevation in transit time of FC models. Consistently, luteolin increased the thickness of the muscular layer and lessened colonic histopathological injury induced by loperamide. Furthermore, we revealed that luteolin treatment increased the expression of neuronal protein HuC/D and the levels of intestinal motility-related biomarkers, including substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and acetylcholine (ACh), as well as interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) biomarker KIT proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (C-Kit), and anoctamin-1 (ANO1), implying that luteolin mediated enhancement of colonic function and contributed to the anti-intestinal dysmotility against loperamide-induced FC. Additionally, luteolin decreased the upregulation of aquaporin (AQP)-3, AQP-4, and AQP-8 in the colon of FC mice. In summary, our data showed that luteolin might be an attractive option for developing FC-relieving medications.

Assessment of Neurotoxic Effects of Oxycodone and Naloxone in SH-SY5Y Cell Line.

Opioid drugs have analgesic properties used to treat chronic and post-surgical pain due to descending pain modulation. The use of opioids is often associated with adverse effects or clinical issues. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of opioids by exposing the neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) to 0, 1, 10, and 100 µM oxycodone and naloxone for 24 h. Analyses were carried out to evaluate cell cytotoxicity, identification of cell death, DNA damage, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, in addition to molecular docking. Oxycodone and naloxone exposure did not alter the SH-SY5Y cell viability. The exposure to 100 µM oxycodone and naloxone significantly increased the cells' DNA damage score compared to the control group. Naloxone exposure significantly inhibited AChE, GST, and SOD activities, while oxycodone did not alter these enzymes' activities. Molecular docking showed that naloxone and oxycodone interact with different amino acids in the studied enzymes, which may explain the differences in enzymatic inhibition. Naloxone altered the antioxidant defenses of SH-SY5Y cells, which may have caused DNA damage 24 h after the exposure. On the other hand, more studies are necessary to explain how oxycodone causes DNA damage.

Efficacy, safety, and acceptability of polyethylene glycol 3350 without electrolytes vs magnesium hydroxide in functional constipation in children from six months to eighteen years of age: A controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: There are few studies that compare polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350 and magnesium hydroxide (MH), as long-term treatment of functional constipation (FC) in children, and they do not include infants as young as 6 months of age. Our aim was to determine the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of PEG vs MH in FC, in the long term, in pediatric patients. METHODS: An open-label, parallel, controlled clinical trial was conducted on patients from 6 months to 18 years of age, diagnosed with FC, that were randomly assigned to receive PEG 3350 or MH for 12 months. Success was defined as: ≥ 3 bowel movements/week, with no fecal incontinence, fecal impaction, abdominal pain, or the need for another laxative. We compared adverse events and acceptability, measured as rejected doses of the laxative during the study, in each group and subgroup. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients with FC were included. There were no differences in success between groups (40/41 PEG vs 40/42 MH, p = 0.616). There were no differences in acceptability between groups, but a statistically significant higher number of patients rejected MH in the subgroups > 4 to 12 years and > 12 to 18 years of age (P = .037 and P = .020, respectively). There were no differences regarding adverse events between the two groups and no severe clinical or biochemical adverse events were registered. CONCLUSIONS: The two laxatives were equally effective and safe for treating FC in children from 0.5 to 18 years of age. Acceptance was better for PEG 3350 than for MH in patients above 4 years of age. MH can be considered first-line treatment for FC in children under 4 years of age.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders. How to manage them without medication. / Trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales. Cómo tratar sin medicar.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are characterized by symptoms attributable to the gastrointestinal tract that cannot be explained by the presence of structural or biochemical abnormalities. During the first year of life, FGIDs can cause great discomfort in infants and concern in their parents. The diagnosis of FGIDs is based on clinical criteria determined by experts and on a comprehensive case-taking process and physical exam to rule out organic causes. The objective of this update is to describe strategies for the management of the most frequent FGIDs during the first year of life: colics, regurgitations, dyschezia, and constipation, in light of new pathophysiological insights, to avoid unnecessary tests and medications.

Los trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales (TFGI) se caracterizan por síntomas atribuibles al tracto gastrointestinal que no pueden ser explicados por anormalidades estructurales ni bioquímicas. Durante el primer año de vida, pueden generar mucho malestar en el lactante y preocupación en sus padres. Su diagnóstico se basa en criterios clínicos que expertos han determinado y en una historia clínica y un examen físico completo que descartan causas orgánicas. El objetivo de esta actualización es presentar estrategias para el manejo de los TFGI más frecuentes durante el primer año de vida: cólicos, regurgitaciones, disquecia y estreñimiento, bajo la visión de los nuevos conocimientos fisiopatológicos, que eviten los estudios y medicaciones innecesarias.

Trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales. Cómo tratar sin medicar / Functional gastrointestinal disorders. How to manage them without medication

Los trastornos funcionales gastrointestinales (TFGI) se caracterizan por síntomas atribuibles al tracto gastrointestinal que no pueden ser explicados por anormalidades estructurales ni bioquímicas. Durante el primer año de vida, pueden generar mucho malestar en el lactante y preocupación en sus padres. Su diagnóstico se basa en criterios clínicos que expertos han determinado y en una historia clínica y un examen físico completo que descartan causas orgánicas. El objetivo de esta actualización es presentar estrategias para el manejo de los TFGI más frecuentes durante el primer año de vida: cólicos, regurgitaciones, disquecia y estreñimiento, bajo la visión de los nuevos conocimientos fisiopatológicos, que eviten los estudios y medicaciones innecesarias.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are characterized by symptoms attributable to the gastrointestinal tract that cannot be explained by the presence of structural or biochemical abnormalities. During the first year of life, FGIDs can cause great discomfort in infants and concern in their parents. The diagnosis of FGIDs is based on clinical criteria determined by experts and on a comprehensive case-taking process and physical exam to rule out organic causes. The objective of this update is to describe strategies for the management of the most frequent FGIDs during the first year of life: colics, regurgitations, dyschezia, and constipation, in light of new pathophysiological insights, to avoid unnecessary tests and medications.

CLINICAL SPECTRUM OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION AND BOWEL-HABIT PATTERNS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN RECRUITED FROM TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND A SPECIALIZED OUTPATIENT CLINIC.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of functional constipation is important for reducing its negative consequences on the health of children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical spectrum of functional constipation and bowel habit patterns in schoolchildren recruited from two primary schools and patients from a pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 452 students from two elementary schools in the city of Osasco and 81 patients with functional constipation seen in an outpatient clinic specializing in pediatric gastroenterology. All children were aged between 6 and 12 years. The Rome IV criteria (two features for more than 1 month) and the Bristol scale were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of functional constipation among the elementary school students was 22.3% (n=101). Among the 351 students who did not have functional constipation, 182 (51.9%) had one of the clinical manifestations of the Rome IV criteria. Bristol stool scale types 1 and 2 were observed in 14 (8.3%) of the 169 students without any clinical manifestation of the Rome IV criteria and in 28 (15.4%) of the 182 students who presented one of the Rome IV criteria for functional constipation (P=0.060). A comparison of the clinical manifestations of children with functional constipation identified at school in relation to those seen at the specialized clinic showed the following differences: fewer than two bowel movements per week (21.8% and 54.3%; P<0.001, respectively), one or more episodes of fecal incontinence per week (14.8% and 53.1%; P<0.001), and retentive posturing (70.3% and 40.7%, P<0.001). Only 18 (17.8%) of the 101 students identified at the schools with functional constipation had received any treatment for this disease in the previous 2 months. CONCLUSION: As expected, the frequency of more severe clinical manifestations was higher in children seen at specialized clinics. Only a small proportion of the children identified with functional constipation at primary schools had undergone any form of treatment in the previous 2 months. More than half of the children without functional constipation in elementary schools reported one of the Rome IV clinical manifestations. Finally, functional constipation has a broad clinical spectrum and also requires attention for the prevention and the management of its early clinical manifestations.

DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC CONSTIPATION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW FROM A BRAZILIAN EXPERT TASK FORCE.

BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a condition that widely affects the global population, represents relevant healthcare resource utilization and costs, and impacts the individual's well-being. OBJECTIVE: To review the consensus of expert societies and published guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of CIC in adults, seeking to assist reasoning and decision-making for medical management of patients with CIC and provide a practical reference material. METHODS: A Brazilian medical task force searched the scientific literature in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO, EMBASE and Cochrane, using the following descriptors: chronic constipation, diagnosis, management of chronic constipation. In addition, a review of articles on the mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of therapeutic options available in Brazil was carried out. RESULTS: The diagnostic approach and the understanding of the pathophysiology present in CIC are essential items to indicate the appropriate therapy and to understand the ecosystem of the patient's needs. CONCLUSION: CIC is a common condition in adults, occurring more frequently in the elderly and in women. Proper management is defined by detailed medical history and physical examination, together with appropriate therapeutics, regardless pharmacological or not, and depending on the best moment of indication. This way, the impact on quality of life is also optimized.

Management of children with functional constipation referred to tertiary care.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the management, to compare treatment at initial referral vs. during specialized follow-up, and to describe outcomes of children with functional constipation (FC) referred to a Brazilian tertiary care center. METHODS: Retrospective study, including children (4-18 years) with FC followed at a single center from 2006 to 2019. Demographics, treatments, time of follow-up, and outcomes were analyzed. The management of FC followed an institutional protocol. RESULTS: 104 patients were identified, 79 were eligible and included in the analysis: 59% male, mean age at referral was 6.4 years, and mean duration of symptoms was 4.4 years. There were significant changes in the therapy(ies) used at the time of referral compared to during follow-up, with a noticeable increase in the frequency of the use of polyethylene glycol, enemas, magnesium hydroxide, and bisacodyl; 5.1% received trans-anal irrigation, and 3.8% underwent surgery. Outcomes were favorable in more than half of the cases: 31% improved; 19.5% had complete resolution and 2.5% were transferred back to primary care. Symptoms remained unchanged in 30.4%, and no patients experienced worsening of symptoms. The mean duration of follow-up was 2.8 years. When comparing patients with favorable vs. unfavorable outcomes, the authors did not identify significant differences in gender, age, therapies used, duration of symptoms, or length of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Children with FC are often referred to specialized care not receiving optimal therapy. Many patients whose FC was labeled "refractory" may be treated successfully with a well-established plan of care, and do not truly present intractable constipation.

Estreñimiento funcional en pediatría, diagnóstico y tratamiento / Functional constipation in pediatrics, diagnosis and treatment

El estreñimiento funcional es un motivo de consulta frecuente en pediatría, con una prevalencia del 3 %. El Grupo de Trabajo de Constipación del Comité de Gastroenterología de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría se reunió con el objetivo de actualizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la constipación funcional en pediatría.Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura para evaluar la calidad de la evidencia. Ante un paciente constipado, es fundamental una historia y examen clínico completos. Los Criterios de Roma IV establecen pautas que, habitualmente, permiten diagnosticar la constipación funcional y evitar estudios innecesarios. La realización de estudios diagnósticos solo se pondrá en consideración ante la presencia de respuesta refractaria al tratamiento médico o en los casos de signos de alarma (banderas rojas). El primer paso del tratamiento es la desimpactación (por vía oral o enemas), seguida del tratamiento dietético, de hábitos y laxantes (es de primera elección el polietilenglicol).

Functional constipation is a common disease and one of the most frequent reasons of visit in pediatric clinics with a 3 % of prevalence. The Constipation Working Group of the Gastroenterology Committee of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría met with the objective of updating the diagnosis and treatment of functional constipation in pediatrics.A literature search was performed to assess the quality of the evidence. In a constipated patient, a complete history and clinical examination is essential. The Rome IV Criteria establish guidelines that usually allow us to diagnose functional constipation, avoiding unnecessary studies. The performance of diagnostic studies will only be considered in the absence of response to medical treatment or in cases of alarm signs (red flags). The first step of treatment is disimpaction (orally or enemas), followed by dietary treatment, habits and laxatives, with polyethylene glycol being the first choice.

Gastrointestinal dysmotility in a patient with advanced lung cancer: paraneoplastic or drug-induced?

A 75-year-old man was hospitalised for bronchoscopy with biopsy due to a suspicious pulmonary mass at chest tomography. He had significant dyspnoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and a 33% loss of weight in the past 3 months. Biopsy revealed a pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma, which was inoperable. Tramadol used at home for 3 months was replaced by morphine on admission. The patient remained constipated despite prokinetics and laxatives, leading to the diagnostic hypothesis of paraneoplastic motility disorder and opioid-induced constipation. Abdominal tomography ruled out the possibility of mechanical obstruction. As complications, the patient presented superior vena cava syndrome and opioid (morphine) intoxication. The patient died a few days later. The management of this case highlights the importance of multidisciplinary care and the challenges of palliative oncology care. Paraneoplastic motility disorder must always be considered among the mechanisms of intestinal dysfunction in patients with advanced oncological disease.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: lubiprostone efficacy on the treatment of patients with constipation.

BACKGROUND: Lubiprostone is a type 2 chloride channel activator that has been shown to be efficacious and safe in the treatment for chronic constipation. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing efficacy of lubiprostone for patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation (IBS-C) and opioid-induced constipation (OIC). METHODS: Searches were conducted in PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane Collaboration Database, and Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. Lubiprostone RCTs reporting outcomes of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM) and abdominal pain or discomfort were deemed eligible. Meta-analysis was performed calculating risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals, using the Mantel-Haenszel method and random effects model. RESULTS: Searches yielded 109 records representing 93 non-duplicate publications, and 11 RCTs (978 CIC, 1,366 IBS-C, 1,300 OIC, total = 3,644) met inclusion criteria. Qualitative synthesis showed that for CIC patients, lubiprostone is superior to placebo in terms of SBM outcomes. Meta-analysis for CIC was feasible for full responder and SBM within 24h rates, indicating superiority of lubiprostone over placebo. For IBS-C, lubiprostone was significantly superior for all SBM outcomes in follow-ups ranging from 1 week-3 months. In terms of abdominal pain, lubiprostone provided significantly better symptoms relief, particularly after 1 month of treatment. For OIC, lubiprostone was more effective than placebo for both SBM and discomfort measures. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that lubiprostone is superior to placebo in terms of SBM frequency for CIC, IBS-C and OIC. In terms of abdominal symptoms, the most pronounced effect was seen for abdominal pain in IBS-C patients.