Comparing gastrointestinal dysfunction score and acute gastrointestinal injury grade for predicting short-term mortality in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND The prognosis of critically ill patients is closely linked to their gastrointestinal(GI)function.The acute GI injury(AGI)grading system,established in 2012,is extensively utilized to evaluate GI dysfunction and forecast outcomes in clinical settings.In 2021,the GI dysfunction score(GIDS)was developed,building on the AGI grading system,to enhance the accuracy of GI dysfunction severity assessment,improve prognostic predictions,reduce subjectivity,and increase reproducibility.AIM To compare the predictive capabilities of GIDS and the AGI grading system for 28-day mortality in critically ill patients.METHODS A retrospective study was conducted at the general intensive care unit(ICU)of a regional university hospital.All data were collected during the first week of ICU admission.The primary outcome was 28-day mortality.Multivariable logistic regression analyzed whether GIDS and AGI grade were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality.The predictive abilities of GIDS and AGI grade were compared using the receiver operating characteristic curve,with DeLong’s test assessing differences between the curves’areas.RESULTS The incidence of AGI in the first week of ICU admission was 92.13%.There were 85 deaths(47.75%)within 28 days of ICU admission.There was no initial 24-hour difference in GIDS between the non-survival and survival groups.Both GIDS(OR 2.01,95%CI:1.25-3.24;P=0.004)and AGI grade(OR 1.94,95%CI:1.12-3.38;P=0.019)were independent predictors of 28-day mortality.No significant difference was found between the predictive accuracy of GIDS and AGI grade for 28-day mortality during the first week of ICU admission(Z=-0.26,P=0.794).CONCLUSION GIDS within the first 24 hours was an unreliable predictor of 28-day mortality.The predictive accuracy for 28-day mortality from both systems during the first week was comparable.

Prognostic factors associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction after gastrointestinal tumor surgery:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Explore the risk factors of gastrointestinal dysfunction after gastrointestinal tumor surgery and to provide evidence for the prevention and intervention of gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with gastrointestinal tumor surgery.AIM To investigate the potential risk factors for gastrointestinal dysfunction following gastrointestinal tumor surgery and to present information supporting the prevention and management of gastrointestinal dysfunction in surgery patients.METHODS Systematically searched the relevant literature from PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Embase,CNKI,China Biomedical Database,Wanfang Database,and Weipu Chinese Journal Database self-established until October 1,2022.Review Manager 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis after two researchers independently screened literature,extracted data,and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies.RESULTS A total of 23 pieces of literature were included,the quality of which was medium or above,and the total sample size was 43878.The results of meta-analysis showed that the patients were male(OR=1.58,95%CI:1.25-2.01,P=0.002)and≥60 years old(OR=2.60,95%CI:1.76-2.87,P<0.001),physical index≥25.3 kg/m2(OR=1.6,95%CI:1.00-1.12,P=0.040),smoking history(OR=1.89,95%CI:1.31-2.73,P<0.001),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(OR=1.49,95%CI:1.22-1.83,P<0.001),enterostomy(OR=1.47,95%CI:1.26-1.70,P<0.001),history of abdominal surgery(OR=2.90,95%CI:1.67-5.03,P<0.001),surgical site(OR=1.2,95%CI:1.40-2.62,P<0.001),operation method(OR=1.68,95%CI:1.08-2.62,P=0.020),operation duration(OR=2.65,95%CI:1.92-3.67,P<0.001),abdominal adhesion grade(OR=2.52,95%CI:1.90-3.56,P<0.001),postoperative opioid history(OR=5.35,95%CI:3.29-8.71,P<0.001),tumor TNM staging(OR=2.58,95%CI:1.84-3.62,P<0.001),postoperative blood transfusion(OR=2.92,95%CI:0.88-9.73,P=0.010)is a risk factor for postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with gastrointestinal tumors.CONCLUSION There are many factors affecting gastrointestinal dysfunction in gastrointestinal patients after surgery.Clinical staff should identify relevant risk factors early and implement targeted intervention measures on the basis of personalized assessment to improve the clinical prognosis of patients.

Clinical Evaluation of Enteral Nutrition+Probiotics in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Dysfunction After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of enteral nutrition+probiotics in patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after severe craniocerebral injury.Methods:From September 2018 to February 2023,80 patients(20-82 years old)with gastrointestinal dysfunction who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Third People’s Hospital of Xining were included in the study.Their primary condition was severe craniocerebral injury,and all of them received conventional symptomatic treatment.Group A received enteral nutrition+probiotic therapy,whereas group B received enteral nutrition only.The differences in the following indicators were compared before and after treatment:nutritional and biochemical indicators,gastrointestinal function indicators,Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS),Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA),APACHE II score,serum procalcitonin(PCT),neutrophil(N)ratio,and C reactive protein(CRP).Result:The nutritional and biochemical indicators in group A were higher than those in group B,P<0.05;the time to first passage of flatus,time to first passage of stool,and bowel sound recovery time in group A were shorter than those in group B,P<0.05;the GCS of group A was higher than that of group B,P<0.05;the SOFA and APACHEⅡscores of group A were not different from those of group B,P>0.05;and the PCT,N ratio,and CRP levels of group A were lower than those of group B,P<0.05.Conclusion:In patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after severe craniocerebral injury,enteral nutrition+probiotic therapy is highly effective and feasible,as it can optimize various nutritional indicators,shorten the gastrointestinal function recovery time,and reduce the body’s stress response.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction is associated with mortality in severe burn patients:a 10-year retrospective observational study from South China

Background:Data on severe and extensive burns in China are limited,as is data on the prevalence of a range of related gastrointestinal(GI)disorders[such as stress ulcers,delayed defecation,opioid-related bowel immotility,and abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS)].We present a multicentre analysis of coincident GI dysfunction and its effect on burn-related mortality.Methods:This retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with severe[≥20%total burn surface area(TBSA)]and extensive(>50%TBSA or>25%full-thickness TBSA)burns admitted to three university teaching institutions in China between January 1,2011 and December 31,2020.Both 30-and 90-day mortality were assessed by collating demographic data,burn causes,admission TBSA,%full-thickness TBSA,Baux score,Abbreviated Burn Severity Index(ABSI)score,and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)score,shock at admission and the presence of an inhalation injury.GI dysfunction included abdominal distension,nausea/vomiting,diarrhoea/constipation,GI ulcer/haemorrhage,paralytic ileus,feeding intolerance and ACS.Surgeries,length of intensive care unit(ICU)stay,pain control[in morphine milligram equivalents(MME)]and overall length of hospital stay(LOHS)were recorded.Results:We analyzed 328 patients[75.6%male,mean age:(41.6±13.6)years]with a median TBSA of 62.0%(41.0%–80.0%);256(78.0%)patients presented with extensive burns.The 90-day mortality was 23.2%(76/328),with 64(84.2%)of these deaths occurring within 30 d and 25(32.9%)occurring within 7 d.GI dysfunction was experienced by 45.4%of patients and had a significant effect on 90-day mortality[odds ratio(OR)=14.070,95%confidence interval(CI)5.886–38.290,P<0.001].Multivariate analysis showed that GI dysfunction was associated with admission SOFA score and%full-thickness TBSA.Overall,88.2%(67/76)of deceased patients had GI dysfunction[hazard ratio(HR)for death of GI dysfunction=5.951],with a survival advantage for functional disorders(diarrhoea,constipation,or nausea/vomiting)over GI ulcer/haemorrhage(P<0.001).Conclusion:Patients with severe burns have an unfavourable prognosis,as nearly one-fifth died within 90 d.Half of our patients had comorbidities related to GI dysfunction,among which GI ulcers and haemorrhages were independently correlated with 90-day mortality.More attention should be given to severe burn patients with GI dysfunction.

Mechanisms of gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction in COVID-19 patients

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)has become a major global public health event,resulting in a significant social and economic burden.Although COVID-19 was initially characterized as an upper respiratory and pulmonary infection,recent evidence suggests that it is a complex disease including gastrointestinal symptoms,such as diarrhea,nausea,and vomiting.Moreover,it remains unclear whether the gastrointestinal symptoms are caused by direct infection of the gastrointestinal tract by SARS-CoV-2 or are the result of systemic immune activation and subsequent dysregulation of homeostatic mechanisms.This review provides a brief overview of the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the integrity of the gastrointestinal barrier including the mechanical barrier,chemical barrier,microbial barrier,and immune barrier.

COVID-19-induced gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction:A systematic review

BACKGROUND It is common for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection to occur in the gastrointestinal tract,which can present itself as an initial symptom.The severity of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is often reflected in the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms.COVID-19 can damage the nerve supply to the digestive system,leading to gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction.There is still much to learn about how COVID-19 affects the autonomic nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.AIM To thoroughly explore the epidemiology and clinical aspects of COVID-19-induced gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction,including its manifestations,potential mechanisms,diagnosis,differential diagnosis,impact on quality of life,prognosis,and management and prevention strategies.METHODS We conducted a thorough systematic search across various databases and performed an extensive literature review.Our review encompassed 113 studies published in English from January 2000 to April 18,2023.RESULTS According to most of the literature,gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction can seriously affect a patient's quality of life and ultimate prognosis.Numerous factors can influence gastrointestinal autonomic nervous functions.Studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 has a well-documented affinity for both neural and gastrointestinal tissues,and the virus can produce various gastrointestinal symptoms by reaching neural tissues through different pathways.These symptoms include anorexia,dysgeusia,heartburn,belching,chest pain,regurgitation,vomiting,epigastric burn,diarrhea,abdominal pain,bloating,irregular bowel movements,and constipation.Diarrhea is the most prevalent symptom,followed by anorexia,nausea,vomiting,and abdominal pain.Although COVID-19 vaccination may rarely induce autonomic dysfunction and gastrointestinal symptoms,COVID-19-induced autonomic effects significantly impact the patient's condition,general health,prognosis,and quality of life.Early diagnosis and proper recognition are crucial for improving outcomes.It is important to consider the differential diagnosis,as these symptoms may be induced by diseases other than COVID-19-induced autonomic dysfunction.Treating this dysfunction can be a challenging task.CONCLUSION To ensure the best possible outcomes for COVID-19 patients,it is essential to take a multidisciplinary approach involving providing supportive care,treating the underlying infection,managing dysfunction,monitoring for complications,and offering nutritional support.Close monitoring of the patient's condition is crucial,and prompt intervention should be taken if necessary.Furthermore,conducting thorough research on the gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction caused by COVID-19 is vital to manage it effectively.

Effect of self-made exhaust plaster on patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological operation

Objective:To explore the effect of self-made exhaust patch(SMEP)on gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological operation.Methods:A total of 200 patients with gynecological operation in the gynecological ward of Shandong Changle People's Hospital were randomly divided into the control group(n=100)and the treatment group(n=100).The recovery time of bowel sounds,the time of first anal exhaust,the duration of abdominal distention,the duration of abdominal pain,the incidence of abdominal distention and abdominal pain and linical efficacy of SMEP were observed.Results:Compared with the control group,the recovery time of gastrointestinal function and the first anal exhaust time in the treatment group were shorter;the duration of abdominal distention and abdominal pain in the treatment group were shorter than those in the control group(P<0.05);Cure rate of abdominal distention in the treatment is 62.5%and cure rate of abdominal pain in the treatment is 60%within 72 hours after operation,which is higher than that in the control group(44.%,45.9%).Conclusion:The results showed that the self-made exhaust patch can improve the clinical symptoms of patients after gynecological abdominal surgery,and the self-made exhaust patch had a significant effect on gastrointestinal dysfunction after gynecological surgery,which was worthy of clinical promotion.

A randomized placebo-controlled trial of Chinese medicine acupoint application on gastrointestinal dysfunction after appendectomy

Background:Gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the common complications of appendectomy,which seriously affects the postoperative recovery and clinical prognosis.Through traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application is suggested for managing postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction,supporting evidence is weak.Here,the prospective randomized placebo-controlled study was designed to provide high-level evidence regarding whether traditional Chinese medicine acupoint application is effective on the gastrointestinal dysfunction after appendectomy.Methods:A total of 60 patients who underwent appendectomy in Dongfang Hospital Beijing University of Chinese Medicine(Beijing,China)from November 2016 to December 2017 were selected as study objects and randomly divided into control group(n=30)and observation group(n=30).Based on routine postoperative care,the acupoints Zusanli(ST36)and Yongquan(KI1)were selected.The control group was given acupoint application of traditional Chinese medicine placebo and the observation group was given acupoint application of clinical empirical Chinese medicine called Wentongliqi prescription.The course of treatment was performed on the 1st,2nd,and 3rd days after appendectomy,once a day and 4 hours each time.The primary outcome includes the time until the recovery time of bowel sounds(h),the first postoperative flatus(h)and first bowel movement time(h)on the 1st,2nd,and 3rd days after appendectomy.The secondary outcome includes clinical symptom score,life ability score and adverse reactions were observed and recorded on the 1st,2nd,and 3rd days after appendectomy.Results:After treatment,the recovery time of intestinal sound in the observation group was earlier than that in the control group(P<0.05).However,there were no significant difference between the two groups in first anal exhaust time and first bowel movement time,clinical symptom scores and life ability scores between the two groups before and after treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion:Acupoint application therapy has limited effect on the recovery of gastrointestinal dysfunction after appendectomy.Further study with large sample size is needed to confirm its therapeutic effects.

Severity of acute gastrointestinal injury grade is a good predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal(GI)dysfunction is a common and important complication of acute pancreatitis(AP),especially in patients with severe AP.Despite this,there is no consensus means of obtaining a precise assessment of GI function.AIM To determine the association between acute gastrointestinal injury(AGI)grade and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with AP.METHODS Patients with AP admitted to our pancreatic intensive care unit from May 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled.GI function was assessed according to the AGI grade proposed by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in 2012,which is mainly based on GI symptoms,intra-abdominal pressure,and feeding intolerance in the first week of admission to the intensive care unit.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between AGI grade and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients with AP.RESULTS Among the 286 patients included,the distribution of patients with various AGI grades was 34.62%with grade I,22.03%with grade II,32.52%with grade III,and 10.84%with grade IV.The distribution of mortality was 0%among those with grade I,6.35%among those with grade II,30.11%among those with grade III,and 61.29%among those with grade IV,and AGI grade was positively correlated with mortality(χ2=31.511,P<0.0001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,serum calcium level,AGI grade,persistent renal failure,and persistent circulatory failure were independently associated with mortality.Compared with the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score(area under the curve:0.739 vs 0.854;P<0.05)and Ranson score(area under the curve:0.72 vs 0.854;P<0.01),the AGI grade was more useful for predicting mortality.CONCLUSION AGI grade is useful for identifying the severity of GI dysfunction and can be used as a predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with AP.

Gastrointestinal symptoms: A comparison between patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis

AIM: To compare the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD).

Acute gastrointestinal injury in critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan,China

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is spreading rapidly around the world.Most critically ill patients have organ injury,including acute respiratory distress syndrome,acute kidney injury,cardiac injury,or liver dysfunction.However,few studies on acute gastrointestinal injury(AGI)have been reported in critically ill patients with COVID-19.AIM To investigate the prevalence and outcomes of AGI in critically ill patients with COVID-19.METHODS In this retrospective study,demographic data,laboratory parameters,AGI grades,clinical severity and outcomes were collected.The primary endpoints were AGI incidence and 28-d mortality.RESULTS From February 10 to March 102020,83 critically ill patients out of 1314 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled.Seventy-two(86.7%)patients had AGI during hospital stay,of these patients,30 had AGI gradeⅠ,35 had AGI gradeⅡ,5 had AGI gradeⅢ,and 2 had AGI gradeⅣ.The incidence of AGI gradeⅡand above was 50.6%.Forty(48.2%)patients died within 28 days of admission.Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome developed in 58(69.9%)patients,and septic shock in 16(19.3%)patients.Patients with worse AGI grades had worse clinical variables,a higher incidence of septic shock and 28-d mortality.Sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)scores(95%CI:1.374-2.860;P<0.001),white blood cell(WBC)counts(95%CI:1.037-1.379;P=0.014),and duration of mechanical ventilation(MV)(95%CI:1.020-1.340;P=0.025)were risk factors for the development of AGI gradeⅡand above.CONCLUSION The incidence of AGI was 86.7%,and hospital mortality was 48.2%in critically ill patients with COVID-19.SOFA scores,WBC counts,and duration of MV were risk factors for the development of AGI gradeⅡand above.Patients with worse AGI grades had a higher incidence of septic shock and 28-d mortality.

Tissue engineering for neuromuscular disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

The digestive tract is designed for the optimal processing of food that nourishes all organ systems.The esophagus,stomach,small bowel,and colon are sophisticated neuromuscular tubes with specialized sphincters that transport ingested food-stuffs from one region to another.Peristaltic contractions move ingested solids and liquids from the esophagus into the stomach;the stomach mixes the ingested nutrients into chyme and empties chyme from the stomach into the duodenum.The to-and-fro movement of the small bowel maximizes absorption of fat,protein,and carbohydrates.Peristaltic contractions are necessary for colon function and defecation.

Evaluating the efficacy of endoscopic sphincterotomy on biliary-type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: A retrospective clinical trial

BACKGROUND Although endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST)has a positive therapeutic effect on biliary-type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction(SOD),some patients still have little relief after EST,which implies that other functional abdominal pain may also be present with biliary-type SOD and interfere with the diagnosis and treatment of it.AIM To retrospectively assess EST as a treatment for biliary-type SOD and analyze the importance of functional gastrointestinal disorder(FGID)in guiding endoscopic treatment of SOD.METHODS Clinical data of 79 patients with biliary-type SOD(type I and type II)treated with EST at Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from January 2014 to January 2019 were retrospectively collected to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of EST.The significance of relationship between FGID and biliary-type SOD was analyzed.RESULTS Seventy-nine patients with biliary-type SOD received EST,including 29 type 1 patients and 50 type 2 patients.The verbal rating scale-5(VRS-5)scores before EST were all 3 or 4 points,and the scores decreased after EST;the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).After EST,the serum indexes of alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin in biliary-type SOD were significantly lower than before(P<0.05).After EST,67(84.8%)and 8(10.1%)of the 79 patients with biliary-type SOD had obviously effective(VRS-5=0 points)and effective treatment(VRS-5=1-2 points),with an overall effectiveness rate of 94.9%(75/79).There was no difference in VRS-5 scores between biliary-type SOD patients with or without FGID before EST(P>0.05).Of 12 biliary-type SOD(with FGID)patients,11 had abdominal pain after EST;of 67 biliary-type SOD(without FGID)patients,0 had abdominal pain after EST.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The 11 biliary-type SOD(with FGID)patients with recurrence of symptoms,the recurrence time was about half a year after the EST,and the symptoms were significantly relieved after regular medical treatment.There were 4 cases of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis(5.1%),and no cholangitis,bleeding or perforation occurred.Patients were followed up for 1 year to 5 years after EST,with an average follow-up time of 2.34 years,and there were no long-term adverse events such as sphincter of Oddi restenosis or cholangitis caused by intestinal bile reflux during the follow-up.CONCLUSION EST is a safe and effective treatment for SOD.For patients with type I and II SOD combined with FGID,single EST or medical treatment has limited efficacy.It is recommended that EST and medicine be combined to improve the cure rate of such patients.

Effect of Biostimble Therapy on Gastrointestinal Function Recovery after Gynecological Surgery

Objective:To clarify the effectiveness and safety of the Biostimble therapeutic instrument in postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in gynecology.Methods:Eighty cases of gynecological surgery patients from Changle County People's Hospital in Shandong Province were selected and divided into the experimental group and the control group,with 40 patients in each group.Low-frequency pulse electrical stimulation on the Zu San Li acupoint with Biostimble therapy instrument was carried in the experimental group.Electrode pads were arranged at the location of the bilateral Zu San Li acupoints,and the Biostimble treatment was applied twice a day for 30 minutes each time.The patients in the control group received stand postoperative nursing.The time of first anal venting,the time of recovery of bowel sounds,the duration of abdominal distension,the duration of abdominal pain,and the postoperative symptom score were observed in the two groups.Adverse events were recorded.Results:Compared to the control group,the experimental group demonstrated significantly shorter bowel sound recovery time,first anal exhaust time(all P<0.001).The duration of abdominal distension was 23.79±5.12 hours,and the duration of abdominal pain was 30.15±4.24 hours in the experimental group.While the duration of abdominal distension was 29.07±5.06 hours,and the duration of abdominal pain was 37.17±5.24 hours in the control group.There was a significant difference between the two groups(All P<0.001).The mean postoperative symptoms scores in the experimental group(1.17±1.03)were lower than those in the control group(2.08±1.71)at the 72-hour after the operation(P=0.005).The complete recovery rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group.The difference in treatment outcome between experimental and control was statistically significant(P=0.013).Conclusion:Biostimble therapy instrument electrostimulation on Zu San Li acupoints can promote rapid recovery of gastrointestinal function in patients after general gynecological surgery.

Feeding problems and GI dysfunction in children with asperger syndrome or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified;comparison with their siblings

Objective: There are few previously published studies of feeding problems and/or gastrointestinal dysfunction among children with Asperger syndrome (AS) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), compared to sibling controls. Study Design: On-line parent autism groups 90% from North America. Statistical analysis: Chi square and binomial logistic regression statistical analysis Results: Completed surveys were received for 64 children with AS, 44 with PDD-NOS, total = 108), and 82 normal sibling matches. Children with high-functioning autism had higher likelihood of frequent (>50% of the time) problematic feeding behaviors and gastrointestinal dysfunction, such as unusual food preferences (OR 23.9, 95% CI 7.3 - 78.7), insistence on unusual food presentation (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.8 - 18.4), and poor mealtime social behavior (OR 16.1, 95% CI 4.1 - 64.1). These children also had higher odds of frequent constipation (OR 8.3, 95% CI 2.2 - 31.9) and fecal incontinence (OR 5.4, 95% CI 1.1 - 27.3). Nine children in AS/PDD-NOS group (4%) were believed by parent to have celiac disease (3 or 1% had intestinal biopsy), compared to 2 in control group. Conclusion: 57% of the AS/PDD-NOS group had frequent unusual food preferences vs. 5% of controls. Forty-eight percent of children with AS/PDD-NOS had frequent dislikes of new foods, compared to 6% of controls. For symptoms of specific gastrointestinal dysfunction, children with AS/PDD-NOS had higher prevalence of frequent constipation (30% vs. 4%) and fecal incontinence (22% vs. 2%).

SARS-CoV-2 And The Gastrointestinal Disorders

Since the 1918 influenza pandemic, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has produced the largest pandemic throughout the globe. SARS-CoV and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) are both members of the Beta CoV. The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has terrible implications and is currently a serious health concern throughout the world. SARS-CoV-2 affects the respiratory system first since it is the major site of entrance into the patient, but it can also damage other systems. Aside from the typical respiratory problems, several COVID-19 patients develop gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as weight loss, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. SARS-CoV-2 may infect the GI system via the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, and indications of a fecal-oral transmission pathway are growing. Globally, GI disorders (GIDs) are becoming a major source of morbidity in youth. The condition has a significant financial impact on healthcare systems and hurts people's lives;nonetheless, very little is documented about the condition's worldwide prevalence and incidence. Alterations in gut sensitivity, motility, microbiota, immunological function, and central nervous system processing are all factors that contribute to GIDs. GI malfunction results in changes in changes in gut bacteria as well as an elevation in inflammatory cytokines. As a result, recognizing GI symptoms that precede COVID-19 respiratory issues may be crucial for better early identification and treatment. In GI epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa, ACE2 and transmembrane protease serine-type 2 were also discovered to be substantially expressed. SARS-CoV-2 may also infect and multiply in both GI and liver cells in a dynamic manner. These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 might be a viable target for the GI tract. This review focuses on the GI complications that arise due to COVID-19 and how the CoVs give rise to GI symptoms.

老十针结合中药治疗慢性胃肠功能紊乱

慢性胃肠功能紊乱是临床常见病和多发病,给患者生活带来了严重困扰。作者临床采用“老十针”结合中药辨证施治的方法治疗慢性胃肠功能紊乱,取得了良好效果,比单纯中药或针灸治疗的效果更稳定、快速。文章总结“老十针”的理论基础和针药结合临床应用的具体方法,阐述“老十针”针药结合运用于临床的经验启示。

Effect of Rhubarb on Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Critically III Patients： A Retrospective Study Based on Propensity Score Matching

Background： Gastrointestinal dysfunction plays a critical role in the prognosis of critically ill patients. Previous studies showed rhubarb, a traditional Chinese herb, can protect the intestinal barrier function, prevent intestinal bacterial translocation, and promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, but the clinical studies are less. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of rhubarb on gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill patients. Methods： From June 2015 to May 2017, a total of 368 critically ill patients with Grade I III acute gastrointestinal injury （AGI） were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the exposure factors （whether the patients received rhubarb treatment）： the rhubarb group and the usual treatment group. Clinical data were collected within the first 24 h of the Intensive Care Unit （ICU） admission and 7 days after treatment. Survival data on day 28 after ICU admission and the durations oflCU and total hospitalization were also collected. Propensity score matching （PSM） was conducted to reduce confounding bias between the groups. The logistic regression was conducted to screen the influence factors. Results： The eligible patients were divided into rhubarb group （n = 219, 59.5%） and usual treatment group （n = 149, 40.5%）. Betbre PSM, the remission rate of feeding intolerance in rhubarb group and usual treatment group were 59.8% and 39.6%, respectively. After PSM, the remission rate of feeding intolerance in rhubarb group and usual treatment group was 77.9% and 30.9%, respectively. The remission rates of feeding intolerance in rhubarb group were significantly higher than those in the usual treatment group （all P 〈 0.05）. Compared with the usual treatment group, the rhubarb group had a higher rate of AGI improvement, lower level of C-reactive protein, shorter stay in ICU before and after PSM （P 〈 0.05）. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between rhubarb and usual treatment groups before and after PSM （48 vs. 33, P 0.959; and 16 vs. 21, P = 0.335）. The logistic regression analysis showed that the single factor, whether receiving rhubarb therapy, affected the proportion of patients whose enteral nutrition needs ≥83.7 kJ·kg^-1d^-1 after 7 days of treatment （odds ratio： 7.908, 95% confidence interval： 3.661-17.083, P 〈 0.001）. No serious adverse effects were found in two groups. Conclusions： The rhubarb might significantly improve feeding tolerance and relieve gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill patients, without serious adverse reactions. It provided proof for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction with rhubarb during clinical practice.

Electroacupuncture for the prevention of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients undergoing vascular surgery under general anesthesia: study protocol for a prospective practical randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction（PGD） is one of the most common complications following major surgeries under general anesthesia（GA）. Despite ongoing research and new drug treatments, abdominal distension within 24 h postoperatively occurs in 8%–28% of all surgeries. We aim to analyze the effectiveness of preventing PGD by preoperatively stimulating Neiguan（PC6）, Zusanli（ST36） and Shangjuxu（ST37） bilaterally twice a day compared with sham-acupuncture treatment and standard treatment.METHODS AND DESIGN： This is a single-center, prospective practical randomized controlled trial. All groups will be given standard treatments. Patients undergoing vascular surgery under GA will be included from the Vascular Surgery Unit in West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China, and divided into three groups. The experimental group will receive routine treatments and acupuncture at PC6, ST36 and ST37 bilaterally with electrical stimulation twice a day for 20 min preoperatively. The sham-acupuncture group will receive pseudo-electroacupuncture at sham acupoints of PC6, ST36 and ST37, which are 1 cun away from the real acupoints. The routine-treatment group will not receive electroacupuncture. The outcomes include the incidence of abdominal distention, abdominal circumference, the degree of abdominal distension, the fi rst time of fl atus and defecation, and hospitalization duration. DISCUSSION： The results from this study will demonstrate whether preoperative electroacupuncture is an effective method for the prevention of PGD in patients undergoing vascular surgery under GA. This study may also provide a standardized acupuncture treatment for reduction of PGD. TRIAL REGISTRATION： This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry： Chi CTR-TRC-13003649.

尿毒症腹膜透析相关胃肠功能紊乱的临床特征及影响因素研究

背景胃肠功能紊乱是腹膜透析患者常见的并发症,严重影响患者食欲和情绪,致使患者营养不良、脱水、电解质紊乱或诱发全身炎症反应等,还会导致腹膜透析效能下降,增加医疗难度,降低患者的生活水平。目的观察尿毒症患者腹膜透析相关胃肠功能紊乱的临床特征并分析其影响因素,为防治腹膜透析相关胃肠道功能紊乱的临床诊治提供参考。方法本研究为回顾性研究,选取2019-09-01—2021-09-01在天津中医药大学第一附属医院肾病科进行维持性腹膜透析的304例尿毒症患者为研究对象。根据是否合并胃肠功能紊乱将患者分为胃肠功能紊乱组和无胃肠功能紊乱组。收集两组患者的一般资料、合并症、实验室检查指标、透析充分性相关指标等并进行比较。运用SPSS 23.0软件对临床资料进行统计,总结分析腹膜透析相关胃肠功能紊乱的临床特征,采用多因素Logistic回归分析探讨尿毒症患者发生腹膜透析相关胃肠道功能紊乱的影响因素。结果304例尿毒症腹膜透析患者中合并胃肠道功能紊乱189例(62.2%),胃肠功能紊乱组患者中位年龄为62(52,67)岁。两组患者年龄、糖尿病肾病原发病比例、合并高血压比例、合并冠心病比例比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者血钙、胆固醇、肌酸激酶、C反应蛋白、总胆红素、血糖、糖化血红蛋白、降钙素原、三酰甘油水平比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者血尿素氮、残肾尿素清除指数(Kt/V)、腹膜Kt/V、总肌酐清除率(Ccr)、残肾Ccr、总Ccr标准化比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,糖尿病肾病原发病(OR=7.471,95%CI=1.161~48.061,P=0.034)、糖化血红蛋白升高(OR=1.367,95%CI=1.080~1.731,P=0.009)是尿毒症患者发生腹膜透析相关胃肠功能紊乱的独立危险因素,残肾Ccr升高(OR=0.952,95%CI=0.908~0.997,P=0.038)是尿毒症患者发生腹膜透析相关胃肠功能紊乱的独立保护因素。结论尿毒症患者腹膜透析相关胃肠道功能紊乱发生率较高,多发于老年患者;糖尿病肾病原发病、糖化血红蛋白升高可能是尿毒症患者发生腹膜透析相关胃肠功能紊乱的独立危险因素,残肾Ccr升高可能是尿毒症患者发生腹膜透析相关胃肠功能紊乱的独立保护因素。