Gastrointestinal manifestations of critical ill heatstroke patients and their associations with outcomes:A multicentre,retrospective,observational study

BACKGROUND Extreme heat exposure is a growing health problem,and the effects of heat on the gastrointestinal(GI)tract is unknown.This study aimed to assess the incidence of GI symptoms associated with heatstroke and its impact on outcomes.AIM To assess the incidence of GI symptoms associated with heatstroke and its impact on outcomes.METHODS Patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)due to heatstroke were included from 83 centres.Patient history,laboratory results,and clinically relevant outcomes were recorded at ICU admission and daily until up to day 15,ICU discharge,or death.GI symptoms,including nausea/vomiting,diarrhoea,flatulence,and bloody stools,were recorded.The characteristics of patients with heatstroke concomitant with GI symptoms were described.Multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine significant predictors of GI symptoms.RESULTS A total of 713 patients were included in the final analysis,of whom 132(18.5%)patients had at least one GI symptom during their ICU stay,while 26(3.6%)suffered from more than one symptom.Patients with GI symptoms had a significantly higher ICU stay compared with those without.The mortality of patients who had two or more GI symptoms simultaneously was significantly higher than that in those with one GI symptom.Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that older patients with a lower GCS score on admission were more likely to experience GI symptoms.CONCLUSION The GI manifestations of heatstroke are common and appear to impact clinically relevant hospitalization outcomes.

Efficacy and tolerability of chitin-glucan combined with simethicone(GASTRAP^(■)DIRECT)in irritable bowel syndrome:A prospective,open-label,multicenter study

BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS),defined according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria,is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain related to altered bowel habits.First-line recommended treatments are limited to combining drugs targeting predominant symptoms,particularly pain(antispasmodics),constipation(laxatives),and diarrhea(loperamide),yielding only a limited therapeutic gain.GASTRAP^(■)DIRECT is a class IIa medical formulation composed of a combination of chitin-glucan and simethicone indicated for the symptomatic treatment of gas-related gastrointestinal disorders by combining different mechanisms of action.AIM To evaluate the efficacy,tolerability,and safety of 4-week GASTRAP^(■)DIRECT treatment in patients with IBS.METHODS In this prospective,multicenter,open-label trial,120 patients with IBS received three sticks of GASTRAP^(■)DIRECT(1.5 g/d of chitin-glucan and 0.75 mg/d of simethicone)per day for 4 weeks.The primary endpoint was the responder rate,defined as the number of patients whose abdominal pain score decreased by≥30%from baseline to week(W)4.The analysis was performed using the per-protocol set.Cardinal symptoms,impact of global symptoms on daily life,change in stool consistency,and improvement in defecatory disorders were evaluated.RESULTS Overall,100 patients were evaluated.At W4,67%(95%CI:57-75)showed improvement in abdominal pain(score:5.8±2.4 vs 2.9±2.0,P<0.0001).Similar improvements were observed for bloating[8.0±1.7 vs 4.7±2.9,P<0.0001;60%(95%CI:50-70)responders],abdominal distension[7.2±2.1 vs 4.4±3.1,P<0.0001;53%(95%CI:43-63)responders],and impact of global symptoms on daily life[7.1±2.0 vs 4.6±2.9,P<0.0001;54%(95%CI:44-64)responders].Stool consistency improved in most patients(90%and 57%for patients with liquid and hard stools,respectively).Overall,42%of patients with defecatory disorders reported very much/considerable improvements by W2.No severe adverse event occurred,and tolerability was rated“good”or“very good”by 93%of patients.CONCLUSION GASTRAP^(■)DIRECT is safe and well tolerated,alleviating IBS symptoms rapidly in 2 weeks.This open-label study suggests that the combination of chitin-glucan and simethicone could be beneficial in patients with IBS.

Police Seek Unapologetic Flatulent Officer

一位警察在执行公务时因肠胃气胀而break wind(放屁),结果引得被查抄者的指控,称该警察放屁之后,未能及时道歉。请读者不要认为这是一则笑话。这是件真实的故事,还见了报。事情发生在英国。官方尚未证实,此警察是否会受到惩罚,受到何种惩罚。】

Auricular-Plaster Therapy Plus Acupuncture at Zusanli for Postoperative Recovery of Intestinal Function

In order to relieve the abdominal distension and other discomforts due to gastrointestinal dysfunction after abdominal operations, the patients were treated by auricular-plaster therapy plus acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36). 12 (92.4%) of the 13 cases in the treatment group showed recovery of normal peristalsis within 72 hours after operations, while that in 13 cases of the control group was 46.1%, indicating that auricular-plaster therapy plus acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) may promote postoperative recovery of the intestinal function.

Development and Optimization of Protein Rich Germinated Bengal Gram Pickle Using Response Surface Methodology

Bengal gram on germination has high nutritive value in terms of protein, fibre and minerals yet it has very low shelf life at room temperature, hence to enhance the shelf life of germinated Bengal gram, a value added product can be developed in the form of Pickle with vinegar, oil and salt as preservatives. To optimize the quantity of ingredients to be added, Response Surface Methodology was used. Statistical software Stat-Ease was used for statistical and graphical analysis of the experimental data. It was found that the sensory scores were 7.2, 8.4, 7.8 ＆ 7.7 for color, flavor, texture and overall acceptability corresponding to optimum conditions.

An Analysis of Nursing Factors Affecting Flatulence in Patients with Non-Invasive Ventilator Assisted Therapy

Objective:To analyze the factors of flatulence in patients treated with non-invasive ventilator and summarize practical and effective nursing measures.Methods:From July 2020 to June 2021,40 patients who complained of flatulence after using non-invasive ventilator were analyzed.Results:20 cases of abdominal distension were caused by the habit of breathing with their mouth open,10 cases of abdominal distention were caused by liking to eat soup,10 cases of abdominal distention were caused by long-term bed-in-bed activity reduced gastrointestinal peristalsis constipation.Conclusion:We should investigate the causes causing gastrointestinal flatulence with the use of non-invasive ventilators,intervene in advance,boost patient comfort,collaborate with therapy,and improve the therapeutic result.

Correlation between lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms and quality of life in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

OBJECTIVE:To explore correlations between the symptoms of constipation and abdominal distention and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in patients with stable disease.METHODS:We studied 191 patients with stable COPD(according to defined criteria)in this cross-sectional study from four three-level class A Chinese medicine hospitals in China.We built an Epidata 3.0 database and performed statistical analysis with SPSS,version 17.0.We analyzed correlations between the frequency of lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms(constipation and abdominal distention)and scores for major pulmonary symptoms(cough,sputum and wheezing)based on the St.George's Respiratory Questionnaire(SGRQ),6-minute walking distance(6MWD)and frequency of acute exacerbations of COPD(AECOPD).RESULTS:In addition to their pulmonary symptoms,39.79%and 40.31%of study patients withstable COPD reported constipation and abdominal distention,respectively.Scores for major pulmonary symptoms(cough,sputum and wheezing),AECOPD and SGRQ values in patients with constipation and abdominal distention were significantly greater,and the 6MWD markedly shorter,than in those without them.According to Pearson's correlation analysis,there were strong correlations between these lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms and scores for pulmonary symptoms,SGRQ,6MWD and AECOPD.CONCLUSION:Lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as constipation and abdominal distention can adversely affect pulmonary symptoms,frequency of acute exacerbations and quality of life in patients with stable COPD.

The efficacy of a Persian herbal formulation on functional bloating: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

Background: Bloating is a common gastrointestinal complaint which is difficult to treat.Objective: This study investigated the efficacy and compliance of a formulation called KAASER comprised of Trachyspermum ammi(L.) Sprague seed, Zingiber officinale Roscoe. rhizome and Piper nigrum L. berry in the treatment of functional bloating.Design, setting, participants and intervention: A total of 106 patients with functional bloating, between20 and 50 years of age, participated in this double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients were divided into 3 parallel groups that received 500 mg of placebo, dimethicone or KAASER, three times a day for 2 weeks.Main outcome measures: The frequency and severity of bloating were primary outcomes, while the frequencies of eructation, defecation, borborygmus and early satiation were secondary outcomes. All parameters were evaluated at the beginning(week 0), and also weeks 2, 4 and 10 of the study, through self-report checklists with a scoring system.Results: Among the 84 patients who completed the study, the frequency and severity of bloating(P < 0.001), the frequencies of eructation, defecation and borborygmus(P = 0.03) were significantly improved in the group receiving KAASER(36 patients) compared with the dimethicone(35 patients)and placebo(35 patients) groups, during the 3 phases of follow-up. These significant differences persisted through the 2 and 8 weeks of follow-ups after cessation of medication(week 4 and 10). In early satiation,no significant differences were observed among the 3 groups.Conclusion: The results showed that KAASER can be effectively used to treat patients suffering from bloating. Bloating, eructation, defecation and borborygmus in the KAASER group remained significantly improved after 2 and 8 weeks of cessation of medication, making this mechanism an interesting area for further investigation.Trial registration: Registration trial IRCT2015100324327 N on Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.