A randomized, controlled, crossover study of sacral nerve stimulation for irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether sacral nerve stimulation reduces irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-specific symptoms by a randomized, controlled, crossover study. BACKGROUND: IBS affects 3% to 22% of the population worldwide, but most patients continue to have symptoms despite treatment. METHODS: Patients included from our tertiary center had diarrhea-predominant or mixed IBS, with a minimum baseline IBS symptom score (Gastrointestinal Syndrome Rating Scale-IBS questionnaire) of 40 points reduced by a minimum of 30% during the percutaneous nerve evaluation before permanent implantation. Patients were randomized (1:1) to have the stimulator ON or OFF for 1 month and then the opposite for another month. Investigators and patients were not informed of the setting. IBS-specific symptoms and quality of life were assessed through bowel diaries and validated questionnaires. Primary endpoint was the IBS-specific symptom score. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were randomized. Ten were eligible for analysis in each group. IBS-specific symptom scores were significantly reduced during stimulation: the median difference in the ON-OFF group was 12 (range, -22 to 44) and in the OFF-ON group -17.5 (range, -48 to -1) (P = 0.0009). IBS-specific quality-of-life scores improved significantly during stimulation: the median difference in the ON-OFF group was 16 (range, -24 to 69) and in the OFF-ON group -42.5 (range, -77 to 0) (P = 0.0003). At 1-year follow-up, the median IBS-specific symptom score (25; range, 13-65) was significantly lower than that at baseline (62; range, 45-80) (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Sacral nerve stimulation significantly reduces symptoms and improves quality of life of highly selected patients with IBS.

Constipation in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1.

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal-dominant disease characterised by symptoms of the skin, eyes, nervous system and bones. A previous study indicated that constipation, large rectal diameters and prolonged colorectal transit times are common in children with NF1. The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in adult patients with NF1 to their unaffected relatives serving as the control group. Patients with NF1 were recruited from one of two Danish National Centres of Expertise for NF1 and their unaffected relatives were invited to participate as controls. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed with a web-based, self-administered, validated, Rome® III diagnostic questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to estimate the prevalence of functional dyspepsia, IBS and functional constipation in each group and the groups were compared using their odds ratios. RESULTS: The response rates for patients and controls were 66.4% and 82.4%, respectively. We compared 175 patients, median age 34.2 (IQR = 20.1) and 91 of their unaffected relatives, median age 42.0 (IQR = 12). The overall likelihood of fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or functional dyspepsia was 33.1% among patients vs. 14.3% among controls, (odds ratio (OR): 2.97; 95% CI: 1.56-5.66) and after adjustment for age and gender (OR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.62-5.79). The likelihood of functional constipation was higher among patients (OR: 3.80; 95% CI: 1.27-11.31), and this was still true after adjustment (OR: 3.49; 95% CI: 1.14-10.64). The likelihood of irritable bowel syndrome (OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 0.98-5.33) was evident after adjustment (OR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.10-5.47), whereas there was no difference in the likelihood of functional dyspepsia (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 0.67-8.32) after adjustment (OR:2.25; 95% CI: 0.70-7.17). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, having symptoms usually attributed to either functional dyspepsia, IBS or functional constipation is more common in adults with NF1 compared to unaffected relatives. Of the three, the likelihood of constipation is markedly higher. The high prevalence of constipation indicates that it is not functional but part of the NF1 disorder.