Characterization of functional biliary pain and dyspeptic symptoms in patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction:Effect of papillotomy

AIM： To characterize functional biliary pain and other gastrointestinal （GI） symptoms in postcholecystectomy syndrome （PCS） patients with and without sphincter of Oddi dysfunction （SOD） proved by endoscopic sphincter of Oddi manometry （ESOM）, and to assess the postendoscopic sphincterotomy （EST） outcome. METHODS： We prospectively investigated 85 cholecystectomized patients referred for ERCP because of PCS and suspected SOD. On admission, all patients completed our questionnaire. Physical examination, laboratory tests, abdominal ultrasound, quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy （QHBS）, and ERCP were performed in all patients. Based on clinical and ERCP findings 15 patients had unexpected bile duct stone disease and 15 patients had SOD biliary type Ⅰ. ESOM demonstrated an elevated basal pressure in 25 patients with SOD biliary-type Ⅲ. In the remaining 30 cholecystectomized patients without SOD, the liver function tests, ERCP, QHBS and ESOM were all normal. As a control group, 30 ‘asymptomatic＇ cholecystectomized volunteers （attended to our hospital for general cardiovascular screening） completed our questionnaire, which is consisted of 50 separate questions on GI symptoms and abdominal pain characteristics. Severity of the abdominal pain （frequency and intensity） was assessed with a visual analogue scale （VAS）. In 40 of 80 patients having definite SOD （i.e. patients with SOD biliary type Ⅰ and those with elevated SO basal pressure on ESOM）, an EST was performed just afl：er ERCP. In these patients repeated questionnaires were filled at each follow-up visit （at 3 and 6 too） and a second look QHBS was performed 3 mo after the EST to assess the functional response to EST. RESULTS： The analysis of characteristics of the abdominal pain demonstrated that patients with common bile duct stone and definite SOD had a significantly higher score of symptomatic agreement with previously determined biliary-like pain features than patient groups of PCS without SOD and controls. In contrary, no significant differences were found when the pain severity scores were compared in different groups of PCS patients. In patients with definite SOD, EST induced a significant acceleration of the transpapillary bile flow; and based on the comparison of VASs obtained from the pre-and post-EST questionnaires, the severity scores of abdominal pain were significantly improved, however, only 15 of 35 （43%） patients became completely pain free. Post-EST severity of abdominal pain by VASs was significantly higher in patients with predominant dyspepsia at initial presentation as compared to those without dyspeptic symptoms. CONCLUSION： Persistent GI symptoms and general patient dissatisfaction is a rather common finding after EST in patients with SOD, and correlated with the presence of predominant dyspeptic symptoms at the initial presentation, but does not depend on the technical and functional success of EST.

Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is the most commonly diagnosed primary esophageal motor disorder and the second most common functional esophageal disorder. Current therapy of achalasia is directed toward elimination of the outflow resistance caused by failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax completely upon swallow- ing. The advent of minimally invasive surgery has nearly replaced endoscopic pneumatic dilation as the fi rst-line therapeutic approach. In this editorial, the rationale and the evidence supporting the use of laparoscopic Hel- ler myotomy combined with fundoplication as a primary treatment of achalasia are reviewed.

Reduced expression of Ca^(2+)-regulating proteins in the upper gastrointestinal tract of patients with achalasia

AIM: To compare expression of Ca2+-regulating proteins in upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract of achalasia patients and healthy volunteers and to elucidate their role in achalasia. METHODS: Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) isoforms 2a and 2b, phospholamban (PLB), calsequestrin (CSQ), and calreticulin (CRT) were assessed by quantitative Western blotting in esophagus and heart of rats, rabbits, and humans. Furthermore, expression profi les of these proteins in biopsies of lower esophageal sphincter and esophagus from patients with achalasia and healthy volunteers were analyzed. RESULTS: SERCA 2a protein expression was much higher in human heart (cardiac ventricle) compared to esophagus. However, SERCA 2b was expressed predominantly in the esophagus. The highest CRT expression was noted in the human esophagus, while PLB, although highly expressed in the heart, was below our detection limit in upper GI tissue. Compared to healthy controls, CSQ and CRT expression in lower esophageal sphincter and distal esophageal body were signif icantly reduced in patients with achalasia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PLB in the human esophagus mightbe of lesser importance for regulation of SERCA than in heart. Lower expression of Ca2+ storage proteins (CSQ and CRT) might contribute to increased lower esophageal sphincter pressure in achalasia, possibly by increasing free intracellular Ca2+.

Non-surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia

Esophageal achalasia is an infrequent motility disorder characterized by a progressive stasis and dilation of the oesophagus; with subsequent risk of aspiration, weight loss, and malnutrition. Although the treatment of achalasia has been traditionally based on a surgical approach, especially with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques, there is still some space for a medical approach. The present article reviews the non-surgical therapeutic options for achalasia.

Food intolerance and skin prick test in treated and untreated irritable bowel syndrome

AIM： To correlate the clinical features of treated and untreated patients with irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） to the results of skin prick test （SPT） for food and inhalant allergens. METHODS： We recruited 105 subjects to form three different target groups： treated group （n=44） undergoing treatment for IBS, untreated group （n =31） meeting the Rome Ⅱ criteria without treatment for IBS, control group （n = 30） with no IBS symptoms. RESULTS： SPT results were different among the three groups in which SPT was positive in 17 （38.6%） treated patients, in 5 （16.1%） untreated patients and in 1 （3.3%） control （P〈0.01）. The number of positive SPTs was greater in the IBS group than in the control group （P〈 0.001）. The number of positive food SPTs was higher in the treated IBS group than in the untreated IBS group （P= 0.03）. CONCLUSION： Positive food SPT is higher in IBS patients than in controls.

Functional oesophago-gastric junction imaging

Despite its role in disease there is still no definitive method to assess oesophago-gastric junction competence （OGJ）. Traditionally the OGJ has been assessed using manometry with lower oesophageal sphincter pressure as the indicator. More recently this has been shown not to be a very reliable marker of sphincter function and competence against reflux. Disorders such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and to a lesser extend achalasia still effects a significant number of patients. This review looks at using a new technique known as impedance planimetry to profile the geometry and pressure in the OGJ during distension of a bag. The data gathered can be reconstructed into a dynamic representation of OGJ action. This has been shown to provide a useful representation of the OGJ and to show changes to the competence of the OGJ in terms of compliance and distensibility as a result of endoluminal therapy.

Controversies in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and achalasia

The immense success of laparoscopic surgery as an effective treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） and achalasia has established minimal invasive surgery as the gold standard for these two conditions with lower morbidity and mortality, shorter hospital stay, faster convalescence, and less postoperative pain. One controversy in the treatment of GERD evolves around laparoscopic antireflux surgery （LAP, S） as the preferred treatmerit for Barrett＇s esophagus and the procedure＇s potential to reduce the risk of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. GERD has also been associated with respiratory symptoms, asthma and laryngeal injury, and a second controversy prompts discussions about whether total or partial fundoplication is the more appropriate treatment for GERD. A new and promising alternative in the treatment of GERD is endoluminal therapy. Three types of this new treatment option will be discussed： radiofrequency energy delivered to the lower esophageal sphincter, the creation of a mechanical barrier at the gastroesophageal junction, and the direct endoscopic tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter. Laparoscopic surgery is discussed not only as a very effective treatment for GERD but also as permanent cure for achalasia. This review analyzes the three most important treatment options for achalasia： medications, pneumatic dilatation, and surgical therapy. Medications as the only true non-invasive option in the treatment of achalasia are not as effective as LAPS because of their short half-life and variable absorption due to the poor esophageal emptying. The second treatment option, pneumatic dilatation, involves the stretching of the lower esophagus and is still considered the most effective nonsurgical treatment for achalasia. Finally, surgical therapy for achalasia and the two major controversies concerning this laparoscopic treatment are discussed. The first involves the extent to which the myotomy is extended onto the stomach, and the second concerns the necessity and type of antireflux procedure to prevent GERD after myotomy. LAPS and laparoscopic Heller myotomy are the agreed upon as the gold standards for surgical treatment of GERD and achalasia, respectively. In the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon both are safe and effective treatments for patients with excellent subjective and objective long-term results with at least 90% patient satisfaction.

Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life in the Korean population

AIM： To evaluate the prevalence of chronic gastroin- testinal symptoms and their impact on health-related quality of life （HRQOL） in the Korean population. METHODS： A cross-sectional survey, using a reliable and valid Rome I] based questionnaire, was per- formed on randomly selected residents, between 18 and 69 years in age. All respondents were interviewed at their homes or offices by a team of interviewers. The impact of chronic gastrointestinal symptoms on HRQOL was assessed using the Korean version of the 36-item Short-Form general health survey （SF-36）. RESULTS： Of the 1807 eligible subjects, 1417 （78.4%： male 762; female 655） were surveyed. Out of the respondents, 18.6% exhibited at least one chronic gastrointestinal symptom. The prevalence of gastro- esophageal reflux disease （GERD）, defined as heart- burn and/or acid regurgitation experienced at least weekly, was 3.5% （95% CI, 2.6-4.5）. The prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） and chronic constipation based on Rome Ⅱ criteria were 11.7% （95% CI, 10.1-13.5）, 2.2% （95% CI, 1.5-3.1）, and 2.6% （95% CI, 1.8-3.5） respectively. Compared with subjects without chronic gastrointesti- nal symptoms （n = 1153）, those with GERD （n = 50）, uninvestigated dyspepsia （n = 166） and IBS （n = 31） had significantly worse scores on most domains of the SF-36 scales. CONCLUSION： The prevalence of GERD, uninvesti- gated dyspepsia and IBS were 3.5%, 11.7% and 2.2% respectively, in the Korean population. The health- related quality of life was significantly impaired in subjects with GERD, uninvestigated dyspepsia and IBS in this community.

Prevalence of functional dyspepsia and its subgroups in patients with eating disorders

AIM:To study the prevalence of functional dyspepsia(FD)(Rome Ⅲ criteria) across eating disorders(ED),obese patients,constitutional thinner and healthy volunteers.METHODS:Twenty patients affected by anorexia nervosa,6 affected by bulimia nervosa,10 affected by ED not otherwise specified according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders,4th edition,nine constitutional thinner subjects and,thirtytwo obese patients were recruited from an outpatients clinic devoted to eating behavior disorders.Twentytwo healthy volunteers matched for age and gender were enrolled as healthy controls.All participants underwent a careful clinical examination.Demographic and anthropometric characteristics were obtained from a structured questionnaires.The presence of FD and,its subgroups,epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome(PDS) were diagnosed according to Rome Ⅲ criteria.The intensity-frequency score of broader dyspeptic symptoms such as early satiety,epigastric fullness,epigastric pain,epigastric burning,epigastric pressure,belching,nausea and vomiting were studied by a standardized questionnaire(0-6).Analysis of variance and post-hoc Sheffè tests were used for comparisons.RESULTS:90% of patients affected by anorexia nervosa,83.3% of patients affected by bulimia nervosa,90% of patients affected by ED not otherwise specified,55.6% of constitutionally thin subjects and 18.2% healthy volunteers met the Postprandial Distress Syndrome Criteria(χ 2,P < 0.001).Only one bulimic patient met the epigastric pain syndrome diagnosis.Postprandial fullness intensity-frequency score was significantly higher in anorexia nervosa,bulimia nervosa and ED not otherwise specified groups compared to the score calculated in the constitutional thinner group(4.15 ± 2.08 vs 1.44 ± 2.35,P = 0.003;5.00 ± 2.45vs 1.44 ± 2.35,P = 0.003;4.10 ± 2.23vs 1.44 ± 2.35,P = 0.002,respectively),the obese group(4.15 ± 2.08vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P < 0.001;5.00 ± 2.45vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P < 0.001;4.10 ± 2.23 vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P < 0.001,respectively) and healthy volunteers(4.15 ± 2.08 vs 0.36 ± 0.79,P < 0.001;5.00 ± 2.45 vs 0.36 ± 0.79,P < 0.001;4.10 ± 2.23 vs 0.36 ± 0.79,P < 0.001,respectively).Early satiety intensity-frequency score was prominent in anorectic patients compared to bulimic patients(3.85 ± 2.23 vs 1.17 ± 1.83,P = 0.015),obese patients(3.85 ± 2.23 vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P < 0.001) and healthy volunteers(3.85 ± 2.23 vs 0.05 ± 0.21,P < 0.001).Nausea and epigastric pressure were increased in bulimic and ED not otherwise specified patients.Specifically,nausea intensity-frequencyscore was significantly higher in bulimia nervosa and ED not otherwise specified patients compared to anorectic patients(3.17 ± 2.56 vs 0.89 ± 1.66,P = 0.04;2.70 ± 2.91 vs 0.89 ± 1.66,P = 0.05,respectively),constitutional thinner subjects(3.17 ± 2.56 vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P = 0.004;2.70 ± 2.91 vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P = 0.005,respectively),obese patients(3.17 ± 2.56 vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P < 0.001;3.17 ± 2.56 vs 0.00 ± 0.00,P < 0.001 respectively) and,healthy volunteers(3.17 ± 2.56 vs 0.17 ± 0.71,P = 0.002;3.17 ± 2.56 vs 0.17 ± 0.71,P = 0.001,respectively).Epigastric pressure intensityfrequency score was significantly higher in bulimic and ED not otherwise specified patients compared to constitutional thin subjects(4.67 ± 2.42 vs 1.22 ± 1.72,P = 0.03;4.20 ± 2.21 vs 1.22 ± 1.72,P = 0.03,respectively),obese patients(4.67 ± 2.42 vs 0.75 ± 1.32,P = 0.001;4.20 ± 2.21vs 0.75 ± 1.32,P < 0.001,respectively) and,healthy volunteers(4.67 ± 2.42 vs 0.67 ± 1.46,P = 0.001;4.20 ± 2.21vs 0.67 ± 1.46,P = 0.001,respectively).Vomiting was referred in 100% of bulimia nervosa patients,in 20% of ED not otherwise specified patients,in 15% of anorexia nervosa patients,in 22% of constitutional thinner subjects,and,in 5.6% healthy volunteers(χ 2,P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:PDS is common in eating disorders.Is it mandatory in outpatient gastroenterological clinics to investigate eating disorders in patients with PDS?

College students＇ physical exercise Obesity Research

With the social and economic developing, people＇ s living standards continue to improve, and diet structure has undergone significant changes. Meat, fish, dairy products, snack and foods of high fat, and high protein proportion increase significantly. Malnutrition and low birth weight situation caused due to lack of food have gradually reduced. Irrational diet causes relative excess nutrients and new malnutrition, and thus lead to the proportion of people of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease and diabetes has increased year by year. People regard these diseases as ＂diseases of affluence ＂, where obesity is the most common but the most easily overlooked. In recent years, with the release of the results and physical research concerned about scholars, obesity has attracted people＇ s attention.

Long-term esophageal and respiratory outcomes in children with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula

Objectives:Few studies have evaluated the long-term complications and outcomes of esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula(EA/TEF)beyond childhood.The aim of our study was to characterize the esophageal and respiratory morbidity of EA/TEF through evaluation of clinical symptoms,diagnostic testing and therapeutic intervention at a tertiary care center.Methods:Patients with congenital EA/TEF evaluated from 2011 to 2014 were included.Demographic characteristics,type and mode of repair of EA/TEF,clinical symptoms,radiographic,endoscopic,bronchoscopic and medication use data were obtained.Results:A total of 43 patients were identified.The median age of this predominantly Caucasian population was 8 years(interquartile range:3,20).Twenty(62.5%)had type C(EA with distal TEF)abnormality.Twenty-one(48.8%)patients had heartburn,19(44.1%)had acid regurgitation,and 31(72.1%)had dysphagia to solids.Barium swallow in 26 patients revealed strictures in 17(65.4%),dysmotility in 20(76.9%)and recurrent fistulas in four patients(15.4%).Thirty patients underwent upper endoscopy,of which 21(70.0%)had a stricture,and six(20.0%)had recurrent fistula requiring surgical intervention.Eight(18.6%)patients underwent fundoplication.Pulmonary evaluation showed cough and choking in 31(72.1%)patients and dyspnea and wheezing in 32(53.4%)patients.Recurrent respiratory infections were reported in 19(44.2%).patients.Other findings included tracheomalacia in 86.7% and restrictive lung disease in 54.5%of patients.Conclusion:There is a high burden of residual esophageal and pulmonary pathology in patients with EA/TEF.Ongoing follow-up is required to monitor both the clinical symptoms and treatment responses.