People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Prefer Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Fatigue Management: A Conjoint Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Psychological interventions are a promising area for fatigue management in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, most interventions trialled to date have been pilots with limited direct input from patients about the type of intervention they want. Thus, this study aimed to explore patient preferences for a psychological IBD fatigue intervention. METHODS: An international online cross-sectional survey was conducted with adults with self-reported IBD. A conjoint analysis was employed to elicit, through a series of forced-choice scenarios, patient preferences for a fatigue intervention. For this study, the attributes manipulated across these forced-choice scenarios were type of intervention, modality of delivery, and duration of intervention. RESULTS: Overall, 834 people with IBD were included in analysis. Respondents ranked the type of psychological intervention as most important for overall preference (with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) preferred over the other approaches), followed by modality of delivery, but placed very little importance on how long the intervention runs for. Patients with IBD appear to most strongly preference a short online CBT intervention for managing their IBD-related fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study helps provide therapists and program developers clear direction on patient preferences when it comes to developing new psychological programs that address fatigue in IBD.

Menstrual pain in Australian adolescent girls and its impact on regular activities: a population-based cohort analysis based on Longitudinal Study of Australian Children survey data.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of Australian adolescent girls who experience menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea); to assess associations of dysmenorrhea and period pain severity with adolescents missing regular activities because of their periods. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, population-based cohort study; analysis of Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) survey data. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Female adolescents in the nationally representative cross-sequential sample of Australian children recruited in 2004 for the Kinder cohort (aged 4-5 years at enrolment). Survey data from waves 6 (mean age 14 years), wave 7 (16 years) and wave 8 (18 years) were analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of period pain during the preceding three months (very, quite, a little, or not at all painful); number of activity types missed because of periods; relationship between missing activities and period pain severity. RESULTS: Of the 1835 participating female members of the LSAC Kinder cohort at waves 6 to 8, 1600 (87%) responded to questions about menstruation during at least one of waves 6 to 8 of data collection. At wave 6 (14 years), 227 of 644 respondents (35%) reported dysmenorrhea, 675 of 1341 (50%) at wave 6 (16 years), and 518 of 1115 (46%) at wave 8 (18 years). Of the 366 participants who reported period pain severity at all three waves, 137 reported no dysmenorrhea at all three waves (37%), 66 reported dysmenorrhea at all three waves (18%), 89 reported increasing period pain over time (24%), and 38 reported declining pain (10%). At wave 6, 223 of 647 participants reported missing at least one activity because of their periods (34%), 454 of 1341 at wave 7 (34%), and 344 of 1111 at wave 8 (31%). Of the participants who experienced very painful periods, 72% (wave 6), 63% (wave 7), and 65% (wave 8) missed at least one activity type because of their periods, as did 45% (wave 6), 36% (wave 7), and 40% (wave 8) of those who experienced quite painful periods. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of adolescent girls in Australia experience period pain that affects their engagement in regular activities, including school attendance. Recognising adolescent period pain is important not only for enhancing their immediate quality of life with appropriate support and interventions, but also as part of early screening for chronic health conditions such as endometriosis.

Psychological Care for People with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Exploring Consumers' Perspectives to Inform Future Service Co-design.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to improve psychological care for people with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), noting the high psychosocial burden of disease. AIMS: This study qualitatively explored the views of people living with IBD to help inform future co-design of services that better meet the psychological needs of consumers. METHODS: Adults with IBD were recruited to attend virtual focus groups to discuss what they want most in an IBD-specific psychological service. The discussions were recorded and transcribed, and data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. Draft results were summarized midway and reviewed by remaining focus groups and a final expert consumer. A quantitative dataset was created of comment frequencies. RESULTS: Thirty-one participants took part in the study: 10 focus groups were held with an average of three participants per group. The analysis identified 254 codes, 38 sub-categories and six categories. Five main categories were identified for an IBD-specific psychological service: People-Centered Healthcare (commented on by 90% of participants), Education and Preparation (83%), Social Connection (83%), Psychological Input (93%), and Accessible Services (97%). Results were summarized in a set of proposed clinical guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study identify important insights from people living with IBD regarding priorities for psychological services. IBD services should focus on improving education, addressing social connection, and integrating psychological input, as well as becoming more people-centered and accessible. It is hoped that IBD services consult the proposed clinical guidelines to inform co-designed service improvements.

Confirmatory validation of the patient health questionnaire - 4 (PHQ-4) for gastrointestinal disorders: A large-scale cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVE: Using the large Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Survey dataset, the aim of this study was to evaluate the construct and convergent validity and internal consistency of the PHQ-4 across both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal condition cohorts. Another aim was to provide descriptive information about the PHQ-4 including means, confidence intervals and percentage of caseness using a large representative sample. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 26 countries. Confirmatory factor and internal consistency analyses were conducted across subsamples of patients with gastrointestinal conditions (i.e., disorders of gut-brain interaction [DGBI; any DGBI, individual DGBI, and DGBI region], gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), coeliac disease, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, peptic ulcer) and those without a gastrointestinal condition. Convergent validity was also assessed via a series of Pearson's correlation coefficients with PROMIS (physical and mental quality of life), and PHQ-12 (somatisation). RESULTS: Based on 54,127 participants (50.9% male; mean age 44.34 years) confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable to excellent model fits for the PHQ-4 across all subsamples and individual DGBI and DGBI region (Comparative Fit Index >0.950, Tucker-Lewis Index >0.950, Root Mean Squared Error of Approximation <0.05, and Standardised Root Mean Square Residual <0.05). The PHQ-4 was found to demonstrate convergent validity (Pearson's correlation coefficients >±0.4), and good internal consistency (Cronbach's α > 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the PHQ-4 is a valid and reliable tool for assessing mental health symptomology in both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal cohorts.

An evaluation of sexual function and health-related quality of life following laparoscopic surgery in individuals living with endometriosis.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the relationship between sexual function, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and laparoscopic surgery in individuals living with endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER: A higher number of laparoscopic surgeries is significantly associated with poorer HRQoL and greater levels of sexual dysfunction in individuals with endometriosis. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Prior research indicates that endometriosis is associated with lowered HRQoL and sexual function and that these outcomes are influenced by endometriosis-related symptom profiles, medical, and surgical management. A limited number of studies have examined changes in sexual function in individuals with endometriosis following laparoscopic surgery or following repeated surgeries. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A cross-sectional community-based online survey was used to examine the relationships between sexual function, HRQoL, and laparoscopic surgery (n = 210). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Individuals with a self-reported diagnosis of endometriosis were recruited via online advertising through social media and gynaecology clinics. Endometriosis-specific data (e.g. diagnostic delay, symptom experience) was collected in addition to engagement with laparoscopic surgery, level of HRQoL (EuroQol-5 Dimension: EQ-5D-5L), and sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index: FSFI). Bivariate correlational analyses and hierarchical multiple regression were used to determine the associations between the variables of interest. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Individuals with endometriosis have substantially poorer HRQoL in comparison to Australian normative samples, with greater levels of endometriosis-related symptom burden, distress, and pain significantly associated with lower levels of HRQoL. The mean FSFI score was suggestive of clinically significant female sexual dysfunction, with the lowest level of function noted in the domain of sexual pain and the highest level of function noted in the sexual satisfaction domain. A greater number of laparoscopic surgeries was significantly associated with poorer overall HRQoL and greater levels of sexual dysfunction. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The cross-sectional nature of the data precludes direct findings of causality and further longitudinal research is recommended. The information pertaining to engagement in laparoscopic surgery was self-report in nature and was not medically verified. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The study's findings highlight the pervasive impact of endometriosis on all domains of living, emphasizing the need to extend treatment planning beyond that of physical pain management alone. Early referral for assessment and management of sexual wellbeing is recommended prior to, and post-surgical intervention, with a focus on maintaining post-surgical changes, potentially reducing the need for multiple surgeries. STUDY FUNDING, COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study was not associated with research funding. Author CN reports grant funding from the Australian Government and Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and was a previous employee of CSL Vifor (formerly Vifor Pharma Pty Ltd). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Learning to cope with the reality of endometriosis: A mixed-methods analysis of psychological therapy in women with endometriosis.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the need and uptake of mental health support by women with endometriosis, no research to date has explored their experience of psychological therapy. We aimed to understand the factors that predict engagement in psychological therapy by Australian women with endometriosis and to qualitative explore their experience of psychological support. DESIGN: Mixed-methods design. METHODS: A total of 200 women with self-reported endometriosis were recruited from the community. We explored; (1) the demographic and clinical predictors of engagement in psychological therapy, (2) the psychological approaches that seem most valuable to women in the management of endometriosis and (3) their experience engaging in psychological therapy for endometriosis. RESULTS: Nearly half of women reported to have seen a psychologist within the past year, particularly for pain. Younger age (OR, .94; 95% CI, .886-.993), depressive symptoms (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.002-1.099), and working part time compared to full time (OR, 2.17, 95% CI, 1.012-4.668), increased the likelihood of engaging in psychological therapy. Template thematic analysis identified three themes; (1) endometriosis and pain have multi-faceted psychological effects, (2) psychological support is sought to adjust and live with endometriosis and (3) there are helpful and unhelpful psychological tools for women with endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of psychological therapy in the management of endometriosis, and the need for psychological therapy to acknowledge the chronicity and impact of symptoms, to enlist multidisciplinary support and to consider alternative options. Further advocacy is required to educate women on the benefits of psychological therapy for endometriosis.

Moving Towards Acceptance and Values: A Qualitative Study of ACTforIBD Compared to IBD Psychoeducation.

The current study explored perspectives of those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and comorbid anxiety and/or depression on a hybrid acceptance and committment therapy (ACT) intervention, compared to an active control. This qualitative study was nested within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where an experimental group received an 8-week blended delivery ACTforIBD intervention (four sessions telehealth, four sessions pre-recorded self-directed), while an active control group received a psychoeducation program of similar intensity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted post-intervention and at a 3-month follow-up. Themes were interpreted using reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty individuals participated; ten in each condition. Seven themes were constructed, including three shared themes between groups: I Am Worth Advocating For, Present Moment Is My Biggest Ally, and Ambivalence About Self-Directed Modules. Two themes were identified for the ACTforIBD group: Symptoms Are Going to Happen and Moving Toward Values while two themes identified from the ActiveControl group were: Reset and Refresh and It's Ok to Say No. Acceptance and values modules from ACTforIBD were perceived as useful in reducing psychological distress for those with IBD, while the ActiveControl group felt their program affirmed existing effective coping strategies. Access to external resources for self-directed modules and networking may increase engagement with content long term.

iCare - a self-directed, interactive online program to improve health and wellbeing for people living with upper gastrointestinal or hepato-pancreato-biliary cancers, and their informal carers: the study protocol for a Phase II randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Up to 70% of people diagnosed with upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract or hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) cancers experience substantial reductions in quality of life (QoL), including high distress levels, pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight loss and difficulty swallowing. With few advocacy groups and support systems for adults with upper GI or HPB cancers (i.e. pancreas, liver, stomach, bile duct and oesophageal) and their carers, online supportive care programs may represent an alternate cost-effective mechanism to support this patient group and carers. iCare is a self-directed, interactive, online program that provides information, resources, and psychological packages to patients and their carers from the treatment phase of their condition. The inception and development of iCare has been driven by consumers, advocacy groups, government and health professionals. The aims of this study are to determine the feasibility and acceptability of iCare, examine preliminary efficacy on health-related QoL and carer burden at 3- and 6-months post enrolment, and the potential cost-effectiveness of iCare, from health and societal perspectives, for both patients and carers. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A Phase II randomised controlled trial. Overall, 162 people with newly diagnosed upper GI or HPB cancers and 162 carers will be recruited via the Upper GI Cancer Registry, online advertisements, or hospital clinics. Patients and carers will be randomly allocated (1:1) to the iCare program or usual care. Participant assessments will be at enrolment, 3- and 6-months later. The primary outcomes are i) feasibility, measured by eligibility, recruitment, response and attrition rates, and ii) acceptability, measured by engagement with iCare (frequency of logins, time spent using iCare, and use of features over the intervention period). Secondary outcomes are patient changes in QoL and unmet needs, and carer burden, unmet needs and QoL. Linear mixed models will be fitted to obtain preliminary estimates of efficacy and variability for secondary outcomes. The economic analysis will include a cost-consequences analysis where all outcomes will be compared with costs. DISCUSSION: iCare provides a potential model of supportive care to improve QoL, unmet needs and burden of disease among people living with upper GI or HPB cancers and their carers. AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: ACTRN12623001185651. This protocol reflects Version #1 26 April 2023.

Social Media, Endometriosis, and Evidence-Based Information: An Analysis of Instagram Content.

Social media platforms are used for support and as resources by people from the endometriosis community who are seeking advice about diagnosis, education, and disease management. However, little is known about the scientific accuracy of information circulated on Instagram about the disease. To fill this gap, this study analysed the evidence-based nature of content on Instagram about endometriosis. A total of 515 Instagram posts published between February 2022 and April 2022 were gathered and analysed using a content analysis method, resulting in sixteen main content categories, including "educational", which comprised eleven subcategories. Claims within educational posts were further analysed for their evidence-based accuracy, guided by a process which included fact-checking all claims against the current scientific evidence and research. Of the eleven educational subcategories, only four categories (cure, scientific article, symptoms, and fertility) comprised claims that were at least 50% or greater evidence-based. More commonly, claims comprised varying degrees of evidence-based, mixed, and non-evidence-based information, and some categories, such as surgery, were dominated by non-evidence-based information about the disease. This is concerning as social media can impact real-life decision-making and management for individuals with endometriosis. Therefore, this study suggests that health communicators, clinicians, scientists, educators, and community groups trying to engage with the endometriosis online community need to be aware of social media discourses about endometriosis, while also ensuring that accurate and translatable information is provided.

"A glimmer of hope" - Perceptions, barriers, and drivers for medicinal cannabis use amongst Australian and New Zealand people with endometriosis.

Previous quantitative research has shown that cannabis use, mostly illicit, is used for symptom management amongst those with endometriosis living in Australia or New Zealand, but the drivers and barriers for use of legal, medicinal cannabis in this population are currently unclear. This study sought to investigate, via online focus-groups, the perceptions, barriers, drivers, and experiences associated with cannabis use, whether legal or illicit, amongst 37 Australians and New Zealanders, aged 18-55, with a medical diagnosis of endometriosis. Previous cannabis usage was not required to participate. Discussion topics included strategies employed to manage symptoms, exploration of current medications, previous use of cannabis for pain management, and interest in using medicinal cannabis as a management strategy. Participants with moderate to severe symptoms of medically diagnosed endometriosis reported inadequacies with their current medical and self-management strategies and were inclined to try medicinal cannabis, both as part of their medical management and as part of a clinical trial. Barriers to medicinal cannabis adoption identified in this cohort included high costs of legal cannabis products, lack of clarity and fairness in current roadside drug testing laws and workplace drug testing policies, concern over the impact of stigma affecting familial, social and workplace life domains, and subsequent judgement and the lack of education/engagement from their medical providers regarding cannabis use. Given the interest in medicinal cannabis and the reported lack of effective symptom management, clinical trials are urgently required to determine the potential role that medicinal cannabis may play in reducing the symptoms of endometriosis.

Efficacy of psychological therapies in people with inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence for an influence of the gut-brain axis on the natural history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Psychological therapies could, therefore, have beneficial effects in individuals with IBD, but data are conflicting. We aimed to update our previous systematic review and meta-analysis to assess whether the inclusion of more randomised controlled trials (RCTs) showed any beneficial effects and whether these effects varied by treatment modality. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Embase Classic, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from Jan 1, 2016, to April 30, 2023, for RCTs published in any language recruiting individuals aged 16 years or older with IBD that compared psychological therapy with a control intervention or treatment as usual. We pooled dichotomous data to obtain relative risks (RR) with 95% CIs of inducing remission in people with active disease or of relapse in people with quiescent disease at final follow-up. We pooled continuous data to estimate standardised mean differences (SMD) with 95% CIs in disease activity indices, anxiety scores, depression scores, stress scores, and quality-of-life scores at completion of therapy and at final follow-up. We pooled all data using a random-effects model. Trials were analysed separately according to whether they recruited people with clinically active IBD or predominantly individuals whose disease was quiescent. We conducted subgroup analyses by mode of therapy and according to whether trials recruited selected groups of people with IBD. We used the Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess bias at the study level and assessed funnel plots using the Egger test. We assessed heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. FINDINGS: The updated literature search identified a total of 469 new records, 11 of which met eligibility criteria. 14 studies were included from our previous meta-analysis published in 2017. In total, 25 RCTs were eligible for this meta-analysis, all of which were at high risk of bias. Only four RCTs recruited patients with active IBD; there were insufficient data for meta-analysis of remission, disease activity indices, depression scores, and stress scores. In patients with active IBD, psychological therapy had no benefit compared with control for anxiety scores at completion of therapy (two RCTs; 79 people; SMD -1·04, 95% CI -2·46 to 0·39), but did have significant benefit for quality-of-life scores at completion of therapy (four RCTs; 309 people; 0·68, 0·09 to 1·26), although heterogeneity between studies was high (I2=82%). In individuals with quiescent IBD, RR of relapse of disease activity was not reduced with psychological therapy (ten RCTs; 861 people; RR 0·83, 95% CI 0·62 to 1·12), with moderate heterogeneity (I2=60%), and the funnel plot suggested evidence of publication bias or other small study effects (Egger test p=0·046). For people with quiescent IBD at completion of therapy, there was no difference in disease activity indices between psychological therapy and control (13 RCTs; 1015 people; SMD -0·01, 95% CI -0·13 to 0·12; I2=0%). Anxiety scores (13 RCTs; 1088 people; -0·23, -0·36 to -0·09; 18%), depression scores (15 RCTs; 1189 people; -0·26, -0·38 to -0·15; 2%), and stress scores (11 RCTs; 813 people; -0·22, -0·42 to -0·03; 47%) were significantly lower, and quality-of-life scores (16 RCTs; 1080 people; 0·31, 0·16 to 0·46; 30%) were significantly higher, with psychological therapy versus control at treatment completion. Statistically significant benefits persisted up to final follow-up for depression scores (12 RCTs; 856 people; -0·16, -0·30 to -0·03; 0%). Effects were strongest in RCTs of third-wave therapies and in RCTs that recruited people with impaired psychological health, fatigue, or reduced quality of life at baseline. INTERPRETATION: Psychological therapies have beneficial, short-term effects on anxiety, depression, stress, and quality-of-life scores, but not on disease activity. Further RCTs in selected groups are needed to establish the place for such therapies in IBD care. FUNDING: None.

Virtual adjunctive gut-directed hypnotherapy for people with Crohn's disease: A randomized controlled pilot and feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND: Gut-directed hypnotherapy appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment for people with Crohn's disease. The primary objective of this pilot trial was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of virtually delivered hypnotherapy to determine the parameters for a future definitive trial. METHODS: This prospective, single-site, randomized controlled pilot and feasibility trial compared a 7-week course of virtually delivered adjunctive gut-directed hypnotherapy to standard medical treatment only for adults with Crohn's disease. Primary outcomes were study feasibility and intervention acceptability. Secondary outcomes were objective disease activity and patient-reported outcomes. Assessments took place at five time-points: baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up three-, six-, and 12-months post-intervention. KEY RESULTS: Recruitment took place between July 2020 and August 2021 at a tertiary hospital. Recruitment was initially slow and subsequently expanded to community settings. Thirty-seven participants were enrolled in the trial: 95% were retained at post-intervention and 76% at 12-months. Completion of online assessments was high (97-100% across all time-points) whilst objective data collection was low (34-44%). Most intervention participants completed all hypnotherapy sessions (88%) and reported being extremely satisfied (73%), despite 60% experiencing technical issues. CONCLUSION & INFERENCES: Virtually delivered hypnotherapy was acceptable to participants. Certain aspects of the trial including online assessment were feasible, while recruitment and objective data collection were challenges. Undertaking a future definitive trial will require broader recruitment scope and significant funding for widespread objective data collection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTR#1260000348954.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Acceptance Commitment Therapy for Adults Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Distress.

BACKGROUND: The bidirectional relationship between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare-ups and depression/anxiety symptoms has prompted investigations into psychotherapy to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by targeting depression and anxiety. Acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) is effective in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with chronic diseases, yet minimal research has examined ACT's effectiveness for IBD. This study examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the ACTforIBD program, an online program codesigned with consumers to deliver ACT to those with IBD. METHODS: Adults with IBD and symptoms of mild-moderate distress were randomized to ACTforIBD or an active control (psychoeducation) condition. Participants completed 8 weekly, 1-hour sessions, 4 of which were therapist facilitated. Feasibility was based on recruitment and retention and acceptability was derived from postprogram satisfaction measures. Preliminary efficacy was determined by group differences in rate of change in study outcomes from baseline to postprogram. RESULTS: Of 62 participants (89% women, 11% men; mean age  33 years), 55 completed the program (ACTforIBD: n = 26 [83.9%]; active control: n = 29 [93.5%]). Adherence and acceptability were high in the ACTforIBD group, with 80% of participants completing all self-directed modules and 78% of participants expressing satisfaction with the program. Significant and marginally significant group × time interactions were found for anxiety symptoms (b = -1.89; 95% confidence interval, -3.38 to -0.42) and psychological HRQoL (b = -0.04; 95% confidence interval, -0.07 to 0.01), showing decreased anxiety and increased psychological HRQoL in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: ACTforIBD is feasible, acceptable, and improved anxiety symptoms, and psychological HRQoL. This highlights the need for a full-scale randomized controlled trial to further examine the program's efficacy.

Identification of appropriate biochemical parameters and cut points to detect Maturity Onset Diabetes of Young (MODY) in Asian Indians in a clinic setting.

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a monogenic form of diabetes which is detected by genetic testing. We looked at clinical and biochemcial variables that could help detect possible MODY among Asian Indians with youth-onset diabetes. From the diabetes electronic medical records of a diabetes care centre in Chennai in southern India, demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical details of 34 genetically confirmed MODY participants were extracted. They were compared with patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) (n = 1011) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) (n = 1605), diagnosed below 30 years of age. Clinical and biochemical variables including body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin, HDL cholesterol, and C-peptide (fasting and stimulated) were analyzed to determine whether cut points could be derived to identify individuals who could be sent for genetic testing to diagnose or rule out MODY in this ethnic group. The age at diagnosis was higher for T2D (26.5 ± 4.0 years) compared to T1D (18.2 ± 6.1 years) and MODY (17.8 ± 6.0 years). Individuals with MODY had BMI, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and C-peptide levels which were intermediate between T1D and T2D. The identified probable parameters and their cut points to identify cases for MODY genetic screening were BMI 21.2-22.7 kg/m2, glycated hemoglobin 7.2-10%, HDL cholesterol 43-45 mg/dl, fasting C -peptide, 1.2-2.1 ng/ml and stimulated C-peptide, 2.1-4.5 ng/ml. Asian Indians with MODY have clinical features that are intermediate between T1D and T2D and selected biochemical parameters, especially stimulated C peptide cut points were the most useful to diagnose MODY.

Irritable bowel syndrome and mental health comorbidity - approach to multidisciplinary management.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 5-10% of the global population. Up to one-third of people with IBS also experience anxiety or depression. Gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms both drive health-care use in people with IBS, but psychological comorbidity seems to be more important for long-term quality of life. An integrated care approach that addresses gastrointestinal symptoms with nutrition and brain-gut behaviour therapies is considered the gold standard. However, best practice for the treatment of individuals with IBS who have a comorbid psychological condition is unclear. Given the rising prevalence of mental health disorders, discussion of the challenges of implementing therapy for people with IBS and anxiety and depression is critical. In this Review, we draw upon our expertise in gastroenterology, nutrition science and psychology to highlight common challenges that arise when managing patients with IBS and co-occurring anxiety and depression, and provide recommendations for tailoring clinical assessment and treatment. We provide best practice recommendations, including dietary and behavioural interventions that could be applied by non-specialists and clinicians working outside an integrated care model.

Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on fatigue for patients with cancer and other chronic health conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Fatigue is significantly more prevalent in the chronically ill compared to healthy individuals. Fatigue is one of the most reported and debilitating symptoms in individuals with chronic health conditions. Despite this, there is limited evidence examining the efficacy of psychological interventions to reduce fatigue, with the majority having focused on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. As Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown to be efficacious in improving other outcomes for people with chronic health conditions, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of ACT in reducing fatigue for this population. METHODS: A systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, US National Library of Medicine Clinical Trial Register and reference lists of relevant papers was conducted to obtain relevant studies. Inclusion criteria specified the study needed to be a randomised controlled trial which implemented an ACT predominant intervention and measured fatigue in adults with a chronic health condition. Data was pooled using the inverse-variance random effects model, with restricted maximum likelihood estimation, providing the standardized mean difference between control and experimental groups post intervention. RESULTS: The current systematic review and meta-analysis included eight RCTs. Participants with a chronic condition (including cancer and fibromyalgia) who received ACT interventions, displayed reduced levels of fatigue, indicative of a small effect (SMD = -0.16, 95% CI [-0.30, -0.01], p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: While the evidence is limited to cancer and fibromyalgia, ACT shows promise in reducing fatigue. Future research should examine ACT for fatigue in other chronic health condition populations to broaden the scope of these findings.

'It just stops me from living': A qualitative study of losses experienced by women with self-reported endometriosis.

AIMS: To understand the experience of loss in Australian women with endometriosis. DESIGN: A total of 532 participants completed an online survey containing three open-ended questions relating to pelvic pain and activity loss due to endometriosis. Participants were Australian women aged between 18 and 50 years (M = 30.8, SD = 7.1) with a self-reported diagnosis of endometriosis. An inductive, qualitative approach, with template analysis was used to identify and organize themes. A pragmatic feminist perspective was used to interpret the findings. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: the loss of liberty: 'I'm trapped in the house'; the loss of bodily autonomy: 'I can barely move/breathe/talk' and loss of connection: 'It stops me from being social'. Pain emerged as the greatest concern for participants, preventing them from the physical functioning required to participate in many of life's activities. CONCLUSIONS: The losses women with endometriosis experience are wide-reaching, restricting control and choice across multiple life domains. Losses were often unacknowledged by loved ones and healthcare providers, further impacting the physical, emotional and mental health of participants. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: People with endometriosis were involved in the design of the study, including identifying topics of interest.

Hypnotherapy for chronic pelvic pain: A scoping systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is typically managed with anti-inflammatory analgesics and opioids; however, these do not adequately manage the pain or address the associated negative impact on quality of life. Hypnotherapy has been found to reduce pain associated with a range of disorders, including some with symptoms of chronic pain. AIM: The aim of this review is to systematically scope research investigating the use of hypnosis on chronic pelvic pain, quality of life, anxiety, depression and fatigue. METHOD: The scoping review was guided by the method described by Arksey and O'Mallee [1]. A systematic search was conducted in six databases. The Covidence Risk of Bias tool and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool were used. RESULTS: Nine studies (four RCT's and five case series) were suitable for inclusion. Meta-analysis of the RCT's found no significant difference in pain or quality of life for the intervention group compared to controls. Only one study reported a reduction in pain after hypnotherapy and did not outperform controls. These results are limited due to lack of a standardised intervention and heterogeneity of the included studies. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further research using well designed randomized controlled trials with validated measures of pain, quality of life, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Hypnotherapy interventions utilised in further research should be grounded in evidence-based best practice for dealing with pain.

Prevalence, clinical features and complications of common forms of Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) seen at a tertiary diabetes centre in south India.

BACKGROUND: Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a form of monogenic diabetes caused by mutations in single genes, affecting adolescents or young adults. MODY is frequently misdiagnosed as type 1 diabetes (T1). Though several studies from India have reported on the genetic aspects of MODY, the clinical profile, complications and treatments given have not been reported so far, nor compared with T1D and type 2 diabetes (T2D). AIM: To determine the prevalence, clinical features, and complications of common forms of genetically proven MODY seen at a tertiary diabetes centre in South India and compare them with matched individuals with T1D and T2D. METHODS: Five hundred and thirty individuals identified as 'possible MODY' based on clinical criteria, underwent genetic testing for MODY. Diagnosis of MODY was confirmed based on pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants found using Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) and American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) criteria. The clinical profile of MODY was compared with individuals with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes, matched for duration of diabetes. Retinopathy was diagnosed by retinal photography; nephropathy by urinary albumin excretion > 30 µg/mg of creatinine and neuropathy by vibration perception threshold > 20 v on biothesiometry. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were confirmed to have MODY (10.9%). HNF1A-MODY (n = 25) was the most common subtype followed by HNF4A-MODY (n = 11), ABCC8-MODY (n = 11), GCK-MODY (n = 6) and HNF1B-MODY (n = 5). For comparison of clinical profile, only the three 'actionable' subtypes - defined as those who may respond to sulphonylureas, namely, HNF1A, HNF4A and ABCC8-MODY, were included. Age at onset of diabetes was lower among HNF4A-MODY and HNF1A-MODY than ABCC8-MODY, T1D and T2D. Prevalence of retinopathy and nephropathy was higher among the three MODY subtypes taken together (n = 47) as compared to T1D (n = 86) and T2D (n = 86). CONCLUSION: This is one of the first reports of MODY subtypes from India based on ACMG and gnomAD criteria. The high prevalence of retinopathy and nephropathy in MODY points to the need for earlier diagnosis and better control of diabetes in individuals with MODY.