Dyssynergic defecation: a treatable cause of persistent symptoms when inflammatory bowel disease is in remission.

BACKGROUND: Introduction of biologic agents in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased the likelihood of disease remission. Despite resolution of active inflammation, a subset of IBD patients report persistent defecatory symptoms. AIM: To evaluate a group of patients with inflammatory bowel disease with suspected functional defecatory disorders, by use of anorectal manometric testing and subsequent biofeedback therapy. METHODS: A group of IBD patients with persistent defecatory problems despite clinical improvement were included in this study. These patients had no evidence of left-sided disease. Endoscopic and radiographic study findings and timing in relation to the manometry study were recorded. Anorectal manometry was performed by the standard protocol and included rectal sensory assessment, ability to expel a balloon, and pressure dynamics with simulated defecation. RESULTS: Thirty IBD patients (Crohn's 23 patients; ulcerative colitis six patients) presented with defecatory disorders including constipation (67%) increased stooling (10%), and rectal urgency and/or incontinence and rectal pain (6%). All but one patient had anorectal manometric criteria of dyssynergia (presence of anismus motor pattern and inability to expel the balloon). Of the patients who completed biofeedback therapy, 30% had a clinically significant (≥7-point) improvement in SIBDQ score, with a reduction in health-care utilization after a six-month period (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Despite remission, some inflammatory bowel disease patients have persistent defecatory symptoms. Defecatory symptoms may not be predictive of an underlying inflammatory disorder. Lack of inflammatory activity and absence of left-sided disease should prompt investigation of functional disorders. Anorectal manometric testing and biofeedback therapy for patients with a diagnosis of dyssynergia may be a useful therapy.

Surgical outcomes in the elderly with inflammatory bowel disease are similar to those in the younger population.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a bimodal distribution with approximately 15 % of patients manifesting after age 65. Previous reports suggest an increased risk of surgical complications in the elderly. AIM: To compare surgical outcomes in elderly IBD patients (≥ 65 years at the time of surgery) to matched younger IBD cohorts. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study at a single academic center of patients who underwent surgery for IBD. Forty-two elderly patients (≥ 65 years) were matched at least 1:1 (median 1:5) to patients in each of three control groups [18-35 years (n = 71); 36-49 years (n = 62); 50-64 years (n = 58)] according to gender, disease type/location, and type of surgery. Postoperative complications were compared. Patient characteristics were used in multivariate risk models. Analysis was performed using ordinary logistic regression. RESULTS: Twenty ileal or ileocolonic resections, 12 partial or total colectomies, four stricturoplasties, and six laparoscopic partial or total colectomies were performed in the elderly group. The post-operative complication rate was not statistically different between the elderly and younger cohorts (38 % vs. 39 % vs. 40 % vs. 48 % in the 18-35, 36-49, 50-64, and ≥ 65 years groups, respectively, p = 0.26). The only significant risk factors for complication were Charlson comorbidity index (p = 0.0002), preoperative hemoglobin (p = 0.0065), total parenteral nutrition use (p = 0.024), and failed medical therapy (as the indication for surgery) (p = <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The surgical complication rate among elderly and younger IBD patients was similar. Advanced age by itself should not be considered a risk factor for adverse operative outcome.

Preoperative Management of Gastrointestinal and Pulmonary Medications: Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) Consensus Statement.

Perioperative medication management is integral to preoperative optimization but remains challenging because of a paucity of literature guidance. Published recommendations are based on the expert opinion of a small number of authors without collaboration from multiple specialties. The Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) recognized the need for consensus recommendations in this area as well as the unique opportunity for its multidisciplinary membership to fill this void. In a series of articles within this journal, SPAQI provides preoperative medication management guidance based on available literature and expert multidisciplinary consensus. The aim of this consensus statement is to provide practical guidance on the preoperative management of gastrointestinal and pulmonary medications. A panel of experts with anesthesiology, perioperative medicine, hospital medicine, general internal medicine, and medical specialty experience was drawn together and identified the common medications in each of these categories. The authors then used a modified Delphi approach to review the literature and to generate consensus recommendations.

Impact of pregnancy on health-related quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of pregnancy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: This was a retrospective study in a tertiary referral center and included women with ≥2 short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (SIBDQ) scores obtained during their pregnancy. Regression models were used to identify independent factors influencing SIBDQ scores and changes of SIBDQ scores at different time points. RESULTS: A total of 32 women (23 CD, 9 UC) with a mean age at pregnancy of 29.4 years and a mean disease duration of 7.8 years were included in the study. The mean pre-pregnancy SIBDQ score in our cohort was 49, which was significantly lower than the values during (55, P < 0.001) and post-pregnancy (53, P = 0.01). The score during pregnancy directly correlated with the pre-pregnancy SIBDQ score (correlation co-efficient 0.50, P = 0.003). Half of the patients had a ≥7-point increase in SIBDQ scores during pregnancy. Change in SIBDQ scores during pregnancy was inversely related to the pre-pregnancy score (-0.47, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.20) and changes in disease activity during pregnancy (-1.80, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.20). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the pregnant women with IBD in our cohort experienced improvement in their HRQoL. Pre-pregnancy HRQoL is predictive of HRQoL during pregnancy, supporting the need for optimizing disease activity prior to conception.