Marco Soncini1, Cristina Stasi2, Paolo Usai Satta3, Giuseppe Milazzo4, Margherita Bianco5, Gioacchino Leandro5, Luigi Maria Montalbano6, Nicola Muscatiello7, Fabio Monica8, Francesca Galeazzi9, Massimo Bellini10. 1. Digestive Physiopathology Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milan, Italy. 2. Internal Medicine and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: cristina.stasi@gmail.com. 3. Brotzu Hospital, Cagliari, Italy. 4. Vittorio Emanuele III Hospital, Salemi, Trapani, Italy. 5. National Institute of Gastroenterology "S. De Bellis" Research Hospital, Castellana Grotte , BA, Italy. 6. Villa Sofia-Cervello Riuniti Hospitals, Palermo, Italy. 7. Riuniti Hospitals of Foggia, Foggia, Italy. 8. Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy. 9. University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy. 10. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most frequent functional gastrointestinal disorder, both in primary and secondary care. AIMS: (1) To describe diagnostic tools and treatments suggested to IBS patients by Italian gastroenterologists; (2) To evaluate patients' quality of life and psychological involvement and the relationship of these factors with symptom severity. METHODS: Twenty-six gastroenterologists recorded the demographic and clinical data of 677 IBS patients. Diagnostic and treatment measures taken in the previous year and those suggested by gastroenterologists were analysed. RESULTS: IBS with constipation was found in 43.4%, with diarrhoea in 21.6%, mixed-IBS in 35.0%. Routine blood tests, ultrasonography, colonoscopy, barium enema and CT were more frequently requested in the previous year than by the gastroenterologists (p < 0.001). Colonoscopy (11%), and ultrasonography (20.4%) were also suggested by the gastroenterologists in a non-negligible number of patients. Abdominal pain and distension, bowel dissatisfaction, anxiety and depression were more severe in females than in males. Quality of life decreased with increasing IBS-symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: IBS diagnosis is still largely based on exclusion criteria even if gastroenterologists try to improve diagnostic appropriateness. However, therapy remains symptom-based also in the gastroenterological setting even if gastroenterologists use a wide variety of approaches, including innovative therapies such as linaclotide and psychotherapy.
BACKGROUND:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most frequent functional gastrointestinal disorder, both in primary and secondary care. AIMS: (1) To describe diagnostic tools and treatments suggested to IBSpatients by Italian gastroenterologists; (2) To evaluate patients' quality of life and psychological involvement and the relationship of these factors with symptom severity. METHODS: Twenty-six gastroenterologists recorded the demographic and clinical data of 677 IBSpatients. Diagnostic and treatment measures taken in the previous year and those suggested by gastroenterologists were analysed. RESULTS:IBS with constipation was found in 43.4%, with diarrhoea in 21.6%, mixed-IBS in 35.0%. Routine blood tests, ultrasonography, colonoscopy, barium enema and CT were more frequently requested in the previous year than by the gastroenterologists (p < 0.001). Colonoscopy (11%), and ultrasonography (20.4%) were also suggested by the gastroenterologists in a non-negligible number of patients. Abdominal pain and distension, bowel dissatisfaction, anxiety and depression were more severe in females than in males. Quality of life decreased with increasing IBS-symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS:IBS diagnosis is still largely based on exclusion criteria even if gastroenterologists try to improve diagnostic appropriateness. However, therapy remains symptom-based also in the gastroenterological setting even if gastroenterologists use a wide variety of approaches, including innovative therapies such as linaclotide and psychotherapy.
Authors: Giovanni Maconi; Trygve Hausken; Christoph F Dietrich; Nadia Pallotta; Ioan Sporea; Dieter Nurnberg; Klaus Dirks; Laura Romanini; Carla Serra; Barbara Braden; Zeno Sparchez; Odd Helge Gilja Journal: Ultrasound Int Open Date: 2021-05-28
Authors: Massimo Bellini; Sara Tonarelli; Maria Gloria Mumolo; Francesco Bronzini; Andrea Pancetti; Lorenzo Bertani; Francesco Costa; Angelo Ricchiuti; Nicola de Bortoli; Santino Marchi; Alessandra Rossi Journal: Nutrients Date: 2020-11-01 Impact factor: 5.717