Gastroenterology Consultation Research Articles

Esophageal Function Testing Patterns in the Evaluation and Management of Lung Transplantation: Results of a National Survey.

We surveyed esophageal motility laboratories affiliated with adult pulmonary transplant centers to determine esophageal function testing (EFT) practices. Gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal dysmotility are associated with worse lung transplant outcomes, yet no consensus guidelines for EFT exist in this population. A deidentified online survey was sent to gastrointestinal motility laboratory directors of 49 academic and community-affiliated medical centers that perform lung transplants. Practice characteristics, including annual lung transplant volume and institutional EFT practices pre-lung transplantation and post-lung transplantation were queried. Respondents were categorized by transplant volume into small and large programs based on median annual volume. Among 35 respondents (71% response rate), the median annual transplant volume was 37, and there were 18 large programs. Institutional EFT protocols were used pretransplant by 24 programs (68.6%) and post-transplant by 12 programs (34.2%). Among small and large programs, 52.9% and 72.2% always obtained high-resolution manometry before transplant, respectively. Endoscopy before transplant was performed more often in small programs (n=17, 100%) compared with large programs (n=15,83.3%). Pretransplant endoscopy ( P =0.04), barium esophagram ( P <0.01), and high-resolution manometry ( P =0.04) were more common than post-transplant. In contrast, post-transplant reflux monitoring off-therapy was more common than pretransplant ( P =0.01). In general, pulmonologists direct referrals for EFT and gastroenterology consultation (n=28, 80.0%), with symptoms primarily prompting testing. In the absence of established guidelines, substantial variability exists in pretransplant and post-transplant EFT, directed by pulmonologists. Standardized EFT protocols and gastroenterologist-directed management of esophageal dysfunction has potential to improve lung transplant outcomes.

S1890 Patients on Statins with Elevated Transaminases: Frequency of Follow-up Creatinine Kinase Measurement Along with Gastroenterology Consultations

S1890 Patients on Statins with Elevated Transaminases: Frequency of Follow-up Creatinine Kinase Measurement Along with Gastroenterology Consultations

PERSISTENT VOMITING WITH ESOPHAGEAL CANDIDIASIS: A CASE REPORT

This case report describes a patient with persistent vomiting, ultimately diagnosed with esophageal candidiasis. The patient, a diabetic female who recently underwent nephrectomy, presented with recurrent vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. Initial management included antiemetics and intravenous fluids, with subsequent investigations revealing elevated inflammatory markers. Persistent symptoms led to gastroenterology consultation and esophagogastroduodenoscopy, confirming esophageal candidiasis. The patient responded well to antifungal therapy and was discharged in stable condition.

Validation of Quality Assessment Measures for Inpatient Gastroenterology Consults on Oncologic Patients in Non-teaching Services at a Cancer Center: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To develop and validate tools for measuring inpatient gastroenterology (GI) consultation quality on oncologic patients. A total of 145 inpatient GI consults were analyzed using electronic health records in this cross-sectional study. Essential Consult Elements on oncologic-hospitalized patients (EE-COH) and Hospitalized Oncologic Patients Enhanced Quality of Consult Assessment Tool (HOPE-QCAT) were used for grading. Interrater reliability was assessed. Both EE-COH and HOPE-QCAT showed near-perfect interrater reliability across most measures in the validation cohort. On application of these measures for quality assessment, basic evaluation by the requesting hospitalist was partially complete in 24.8%, the request for GI consultation was inappropriate in 18.6%, while the rationale for recommended studies from the GI consultant was provided in 55.7% of cases suggesting key areas for quality improvement. We developed highly reliable quality measures for inpatient GI consults on oncology patients. The EE-COH and HOPE-QCAT tools can be utilized in future studies of inpatient GI consult quality and to form the basis for interventions to improve communication between consultants and hospitalists. Such tools could be adapted for inpatient quality assessment across other specialties and settings.

352. A RARE CASE OF ESOPHAGEAL EPIDERMOID METAPLASIA: A POTENTIAL PRECURSOR TO ESOPHAGEAL MALIGNANCY

Abstract A 62-year-old woman with medical history of fibromyalgia and depression was referred to the gastroenterology consultation due to dysphagia for solids for the past 3 months. She had previously performed an upper endoscopy which revealed an esophageal lesion, interpreted as a papillomatous lesion. Upper endoscopy was repeated, showing a whitish, irregular, semi-elevated and hemi-circumferential lesion between 16 and 19cm from the incisors (Figure A and B). Biopsies were performed. Histology revealed a stratified squamous epithelium with mild inflammation, with spongiosis, hyperorthokeratosis and a prominent granular cell layer. This was consistent with esophageal epidermoid metaplasia (Figures C and D). No dysplasia or carcinoma was noted. Esophageal epidermoid metaplasia is a rare condition described only in case reports and small series. It is thought that may be sporadically associated with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Endoscopically, this entity might have different appearances such as white plaques, altered texture, keratotic patches, sloughing, granularity, nodularity, furrows, decreased vascularity, and lacy appearance. We report this case to raise awareness for this entity and its association with dysplasia and esophageal cancer. Therefore, in the case of esophageal epidermoid metaplasia lesions a close follow-up or endoscopic treatment may be warranted. Patient is currently on endoscopic surveillance every one year to screen for early dysplasia.

Cost burden for healthcare and patients related to the unawareness towards laryngopharyngeal reflux.

To investigate the impact of physician unawareness towards laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) on healthcare costs. Patients with a confirmed LPR diagnosis were consecutively recruited from Belgian Hospitals. Demographics and clinical outcomes (impedance-pH testing features, reflux symptom score, and reflux sign assessment) were extracted. The past consultations and additional examinations dedicated to the investigation of laryngopharyngeal symptoms and findings without suspicion of LPR were collected. The estimated costs of consultations and procedures were those indicated in the National Health Insurance Institute's Charges for 2022. Part was reimbursed by the social security system, and the rest was paid by patients. Seventy-six patients were recruited. Seventeen patients (22.4%) had no previous consultation or additional examination for their LPR-symptoms. The estimated mean (standard deviation) costs related to the unawareness of LPR for the healthcare system and patient, were 310.06 ± 370.49 €, and 54.05 ± 46.28 €, respectively. The highest estimated costs were related to gastroenterology consultations and procedures, which did not lead to a confirmation of LPR diagnosis. The total estimated cost for the Belgian healthcare system and patients (11,590,000 million), could range from 359 359 540 € to 1 078 078 620 €; and 62 643 950 € to 187 931 850 €, respectively. The estimated costs related to gastroenterology practice of patients with severe disease were significantly higher than patients with mild disease. The unawareness of practitioners toward LPR leads to significant costs for healthcare system and patients. The teaching and awareness towards LPR need to be improved in medical schools and clinical practice.

Hepatitis B clinical care provision in pregnancy: A whole-of-population linkage study in Victoria, Australia.

Pregnancy is a key setting for engagement in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) care, due to the implications for transmission to the infant and antenatal diagnosis representing an opportunity for ongoing follow-up. This study aimed to identify the coverage and predictors of clinical care for women with CHB during and after pregnancy in a population-level cohort. Notified CHB cases in Victoria, Australia, were linked with hospitalizations, medical services, and prescribing data, covering the period 1991-2018. Women with an admission for a live birth were identified and services provided during pregnancy were assessed, including general practitioner (GP) or specialist visits, viral load and serology testing, and antiviral treatment. Viral load and serology testing coverage ware also assessed for the 2-year period following pregnancy. Demographic and clinical predictors of viral load testing during pregnancy were assessed. A total of 11015 birth events occurred for 6090 women with CHB. During pregnancy most had a GP consultation (91.6%); however, only 39.5% had viral load testing and 41.4% had a gastroenterology or infectious diseases specialist consultation. Viral load testing and serology testing in the 2years after pregnancy occurred in approximately half (47.9% and 52.2%, respectively) with increases over time. Viral load testing was more likely in those born overseas, those with more than one previous birth, and those living in Melbourne. Despite improvements over time, key gaps were identified in the provision of CHB clinical care during and after pregnancy, with implications for ongoing transmission and adverse outcomes.

Patterns of gastroenterology specialty referral for primary care patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

BackgroundAs metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) management extends into primary care, little is known about patterns of specialty referral for affected patients. We determined the proportion of primary care patients with MASLD that received a gastroenterology (GI) consultation and compared advanced fibrosis risk between patients with and without a referral. MethodsThis retrospective study of electronic health record data from a primary care clinic included patients with MASLD, no competing chronic liver disease diagnoses, and no history of cirrhosis. Referral to GI for evaluation and management (E/M) any time after MASLD ascertainment was the outcome. Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) scores were calculated, categorized by advanced fibrosis risk, and compared by receipt of a GI E/M referral. Logistic regression models were developed to determine the association of FIB-4 risk with receipt of a GI referral. ResultsThe cohort included 652 patients of which 12% had FIB-4 scores (≥2.67) at high-risk for advanced fibrosis. Overall, 31% of cohort patients received a GI referral for E/M. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with high (12% vs. 12%, p=0.952) risk FIB-4 scores by receipt of a GI E/M referral. In adjusted logistic regression models, high-risk FIB-4 scores (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.59 - 1.71) were not associated with receipt of a referral. ConclusionsOnly 30% of patients in this primary care MASLD cohort received a GI E/M referral during the study period, and those patients with a referral did not differ by FIB-4 advanced fibrosis risk.

Inpatient Gastroenterology Consults Have Little Utility Before Transesophageal Echocardiograms in a Prospective Cohort Study.

Despite the well-documented safety of transesophageal echocardiograms (TEEs), inpatient gastroenterology (GI) services are called to clear patients for the procedure when they have GI symptoms or comorbidities ranging from mild to clinically significant. We aimed to assess the clinical utility of such consults in preventing TEE complications. We performed a prospective cohort study of all inpatients at our institution who had a TEE ordered from 7/1/2021 through 7/1/2022. Patients' demographic information, indications for TEE, complications from TEE, 30-day readmission rates, GI team recommendations, and results of any GI-related interventions were collected and analyzed. There were 732 patients who had a TEE ordered during our study period, of whom 641 (87.51%) underwent the procedure. Of the 91 (12.49%) who did not have a TEE, none were canceled due to a GI-related concern. There were 23 of 641 patients (3.59%) with complications from the TEE, none of which were GI-related. The GI team was consulted on 36 patients (4.96% of TEEs ordered) and cleared 22 of 36 (61.11%) with no further testing while the remaining 14 of 36 patients (38.89%) underwent workups that were largely normal. Patients who had a GI consult before their TEE had a significantly longer time between their TEE being ordered and the TEE being performed compared with those who did not have a GI consult before their TEE (4.50 days vs 0.77 days, P < 0.01). Inpatient GI team workups to clear patients for a TEE found no contraindications to TEEs, did not change patient care plans, and led to increased hospital costs and lengths of stay.

Review article: advances in the diagnosis and management of anorectal motility disorders.

Anorectal motility disorders such as dyssynergic defecation (DD), faecal incontinence (FI) and anorectal pain affect 40% of the population and are a frequent reason for gastroenterology consultation. They significantly affect the quality of life and lead to psychological distress. Lack of understanding of these problems compounded by a lack of availability and knowledge of diagnostic tools in most medical centres and/or trained physicians has significantly hampered this field. To discuss the latest advances in pathophysiology, diagnostic tests and therapeutic options for these disorders using an evidence-based approach. We reviewed the published literature over the past 20 years on DD, FI and anorectal pain and distilled these into a narrative review. A detailed history, prospective stool diary and digital rectal exam, together with diagnostic tests such as anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, translumbosacral anorectal magnetic stimulation test for assessing neuropathy, defecography and anal ultrasound, can provide detailed mechanistic and structural information. Such knowledge can pave the way for a meaningful and pathophysiologic-based management approach. This could include biofeedback therapy for DD or FI, sensory training for rectal hyposensitivity or sensory adaptation training for rectal hypersensitivity or sphincter bulking agents or neuromodulation therapies. These treatments are effective and safe. Anorectal motility disorders are common, but either less well recognized or poorly managed by most gastroenterologists. Equipped with the practical and up-to-date knowledge provided in this review, physicians could provide improved health care for these patients.

Implementation of a Web-Based Outpatient Asynchronous Consultation Service: Mixed Methods Study.

Asynchronous outpatient patient-to-provider communication is expanding in UK health care, requiring evaluation. During the pandemic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland expanded its outpatient asynchronous consultation service from dermatology (deployed in May 2020) to gastroenterology and pain management clinics. We conducted a mixed methods study using staff, patient, and public perspectives and National Health Service (NHS) numerical data to obtain a rounded picture of innovation as it happened. Focus groups (3 web-based and 1 face-to-face; n=22) assessed public readiness for this service, and 14 interviews with staff focused on service design and delivery. The service's effects were examined using NHS Grampian service use data, a patient satisfaction survey (n=66), and 6 follow-up patient interviews. Survey responses were descriptively analyzed. Demographics, acceptability, nonattendance rates, and appointment outcomes of users were compared across levels of area deprivation in which they live and medical specialties. Interviews and focus groups underwent theory-informed thematic analysis. Staff anticipated a simple technical system transfer from dermatology to other receptive medical specialties, but despite a favorable setting and organizational assistance, it was complicated. Key implementation difficulties included pandemic-induced technical integration delays, misalignment with existing administrative processes, and discontinuity in project management. The pain management clinic began asynchronous consultations (digital appointments) in December 2021, followed by the gastroenterology clinic in February 2022. Staff quickly learned how to explain and use this service. It was thought to function better for pain management as it fitted preexisting practices. From May to September 2022, the dermatology (adult and pediatric), gastroenterology, and pain management clinics offered 1709 appointments to a range of patients (n=1417). Digital appointments reduced travel by an estimated 44,712 miles (~71,956.81 km) compared to the face-to-face mode. The deprivation profile of people who chose to use this service closely mirrored that of NHS Grampian's population overall. There was no evidence that deprivation impacted whether digital appointment users subsequently received treatment. Only 18% (12/66) of survey respondents were unhappy or very unhappy with being offered a digital appointment. The benefits mentioned included better access, convenience, decreased travel and waiting time, information sharing, and clinical flexibility. Overall, patients, the public, and staff recognized its potential as an NHS service but highlighted informed choice and flexibility. Better communication-including the use of the term assessment instead of appointment-may increase patient acceptance. Asynchronous pain management and gastroenterology consultations are viable and acceptable. Implementing this service is easiest when existing administrative processes face minimal disruption, although continuous support is needed. This study can inform practical strategies for supporting staff in adopting asynchronous consultations (eg, preparing for nonlinearity and addressing task issues). Patients need clear explanations and access to technical support, along with varied consultation options, to ensure digital inclusion.

Patient's and Consultant's Views and Perceptions on Switching from an Originator Biologic to Biosimilar Medication: A Qualitative Study.

The aim of this study was to describe the opinions of patients undergoing treatment with originator biologics and medical consultants managing their conditions and identify the barriers and enablers to transitioning from originator biologics to equivalent biosimilars. This study was undertaken prior to biosimilar switching at a large teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Five gastroenterology, rheumatology, and dermatology consultants were interviewed. Two focus groups were conducted with patients prescribed infliximab (n = 2) and etanercept originators (n = 7). Four main themes emerged, as follows: (1) 'Benefit to the NHS'; (2) 'Evidence for efficacy and safety'; (3) 'Team roles'; and (4) 'Effective communication during switching', with sub-themes such as (4a) 'What patients want to know' and (4b) 'How it should be communicated'. Recognition of the ability to save NHS money was an enabler for both patients and consultants, with patients wanting to be reassured that the money saved would be used to benefit other patients. Consultants did not always believe that biosimilars had similar efficacy as the originators or that the manufacturing standards were the same. Effective interventions to address these concerns are required. Offering patients the opportunity to revert back to their originator if necessary was seen as an enabler, as was the provision of readily available mechanisms for reporting suspected adverse events resulting from switching. The role of pharmacy in the process of switching from originator biologics to biosimilars can range from educating consultants regarding the safety and efficacy of biosimilars, explaining the rationale for switching patients, and providing a route for reporting adverse events.

Growth differentiation factor-15 serum concentrations reflect disease severity and anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is burdened by various extraintestinal manifestations which substantially contribute to greater morbidity and mortality. Growth-differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is often over-expressed under stress conditions, such as inflammation, malignancies, heart failure, myocardial ischemia, and many others. To explore the association between GDF-15 and IBD as serum concentrations of GDF-15 were shown to be an independent predictor of poor outcomes in multiple diseases. An additional aim was to determine possible associations between GDF-15 and multiple clinical, anthropometric and laboratory parameters in patients with IBD. This cross-sectional study included 90 adult patients diagnosed with IBD, encompassing both Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and 67 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. All patients underwent an extensive workup, including colonoscopy with subsequent histopathological analysis. Disease activity was assessed by two independent gastroenterology consultants specialized in IBD, employing well-established clinical and endoscopic scoring systems. GDF-15 serum concentrations were determined following an overnight fasting, using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. In patients with IBD, serum GDF-15 concentrations were significantly higher in comparison to the healthy controls [800 (512-1154) pg/mL vs 412 (407-424) pg/mL, P < 0.001], whereas no difference in GDF-15 was found between patients with CD and UC [807 (554-1451) pg/mL vs 790 (509-956) pg/mL, P = 0.324]. Moreover, multiple linear regression analysis showed that GDF-15 levels predict CD and UC severity independent of age, sex, and C-reactive protein levels (P = 0.016 and P = 0.049, respectively). Finally, an association between GDF-15 and indices of anemia was established. Specifically, negative correlations were found between GDF-15 and serum iron levels (r = -0.248, P = 0.021), as well as GDF-15 and hemoglobin (r = -0.351, P = 0.021). Accordingly, in comparison to IBD patients with normal hemoglobin levels, GDF-15 serum levels were higher in patients with anemia (1256 (502-2100) pg/mL vs 444 (412-795) pg/mL, P < 0.001). For the first time, we demonstrated that serum concentrations of GDF-15 are elevated in patients with IBD in comparison to healthy controls, and the results imply that GDF-15 might be involved in IBD pathophysiology. Yet, it remains elusive whether GDF-15 could serve as a prognostic indicator in these patients.

Health information technology tools to accelerate gastrointestinal evaluation in patients with iron deficiency anaemia: a cluster randomised controlled trial

ObjectiveSystem-level safety measures do not exist to ensure that patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) undergo proper diagnostic evaluations. We sought to determine if a set of EHR (electronic health...

P230: The challenges of implementing early surgery for terminal ileal Crohn’s disease – a qualitative study of the clinician perspective

Abstract Background Recent evidence suggests that “early” bowel resection may offer more stable remission in terminal ileal (TI) Crohn’s disease compared to medical therapy. Surgery is still often considered late in the treatment pathway. The aims of this study were to understand how clinicians make decisions about treatment for TI Crohn's and to explore their views on the role of surgery. Methods Semi-structured interviews with clinicians across the UK, with an interest in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), were undertaken using videoconferencing (February to November 2022). Inductive thematic analysis was performed and 10% of the data were double-coded. Data saturation was confirmed before stopping recruitment. Results Participants included 9 consultant surgeons, 7 consultant gastroenterologists and 7 specialist nurses (n=23) from secondary care and tertiary referral centres. Five key themes were identified: approach to management and decision-making, opinions on medical therapy, opinions on surgery, approach to information-giving, and patients’ preferences from a clinician perspective. Symptoms, disease phenotype, patient choice and the influence of the IBD multidisciplinary team were frequently discussed factors that guide management. Trial of multiple drugs before offering surgery was commonly described. A lack of IBD surgeons and long waiting lists for surgical clinics and theatre were cited as barriers to timely surgery. Patients' fear of surgery was thought to be driven by the risk of a stoma. Conclusion This study highlights key barriers to early surgery for TI disease. Early discussion of surgery may allow patients to make an informed choice. Organisational barriers should be considered when designing local services.

A novel prediction tool for mortality in patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding requiring emergency hospitalization: a large multicenter study

The study aimed to identify prognostic factors for patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding and to develop a high-accuracy prediction tool. The analysis included 8254 cases of acute hematochezia patients who were admitted urgently based on the judgment of emergency physicians or gastroenterology consultants (from the CODE BLUE J-study). Patients were randomly assigned to a derivation cohort and a validation cohort in a 2:1 ratio using a random number table. Assuming that factors present at the time of admission are involved in mortality within 30 days of admission, and adding management factors during hospitalization to the factors at the time of admission for mortality within 1 year, prognostic factors were established. Multivariate analysis was conducted, and scores were assigned to each factor using regression coefficients, summing these to measure the score. The newly created score (CACHEXIA score) became a tool capable of measuring both mortality within 30 days (ROC-AUC 0.93) and within 1 year (C-index, 0.88). The 1-year mortality rates for patients classified as low, medium, and high risk by the CACHEXIA score were 1.0%, 13.4%, and 54.3% respectively (all P < 0.001). After discharge, patients identified as high risk using our unique predictive score require ongoing observation.

An externally validated guide to anatomical interpretation using a direct-vision (‘IRIS’) feeding tube

Background & AimsMost of the 11.5 million feeding tubes placed annually in Europe and the USA are placed ‘blind’. This carries a 1.6% risk that these tubes will enter the lung and 0.5% cause pneumothorax or pneumonia regardless of whether misplacement is identified prior to feeding. Tube placement by direct vision may reduce the risk of respiratory or oesophageal misplacement. This study externally validated whether an 'operator guide' would enable novice operators to differentiate the respiratory and alimentary tracts. MethodsOne IRIS tube was placed in each of 40 patients. Novice operators interpreted anatomical position using the built-in tube camera. Interpretation was checked from recorded images by consultant gastroenterologists and end-of-procedure checks using pH or X-ray checked by Radiologists and a consultant intensivist. ResultsThe 40 patients were a median of 68y (IQR: 56-75), 70% male, mostly medical (65%), conscious (67.5%) and 70% had no artificial airway. Three tubes were removed due to failed placement. In the remaining 37 placements, novice operators identified the airway in 17 (45.9%) and airway+respiratory tract in 19 (51.4%), but redirected all these tubes into the oesophagus. By using direct vision to reduce the proportion of tubes near the airway or in respiratory tract from 0.514 to 0, operator discrimination between the respiratory and alimentary tracts was highly significant (0.514 vs 0: p < 0.0001, power >99.9% when significance = 0.05). In addition, organ boundaries (respiratory tract vs oesophagus, oesophagus vs stomach, stomach vs intestine) were identified in 100%. ConclusionsNovice operators, trained using the guide, identified all respiratory misplacements and accurately interpreted IRIS tube position. Guide-based training could enable widespread use of direct vision as a means to prevent tube-related complications.

Autoimmunity and Cancer: Two Stations on the Same Continuum.

Autoimmunity has been associated with different types of cancer, including hematological malignancies like lymphomas, and solid tumors. Additionally, the potential role of medication-induced immunosuppression should be considered. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between autoimmunity and the development of cancer, as well as the impact of immunosuppressive drugs on increasing cancer risk. The study sample was composed of patients who developed cancer after the administration of biological agents for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Selected patients were treated in our hospital between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2021 and followed up in internal medicine, gastroenterology, or dermatology consult. From 434 patients with autoimmune diseases using biological agents, only 20 developed cancer, which was our final study sample. The data analysis was performed using the IQVIR package version 2.0.2 (IQVIA, Durham, NC). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. We found a significant correlation between long-term corticosteroid therapy and an increased risk of cancer. However, the effect of biological therapies on cancer risk was not statistically significant. It's worth noting that our sample size was small, so we cannot extrapolate these findings. Physicians need to be aware that treating autoimmune diseases with immunosuppressive therapies may contribute to the development of cancer. Further research is needed to determine the impact of such treatments on cancer prognosis.

A75 PEDIATRIC ABDOMINAL PAIN PRESENTING TO A HOSPITAL-BASED GI CLINIC: EVOLUTION AND DISPOSITION

Abstract Background Abdominal pain accounts for 50% of pediatric gastroenterology consultations. While data exists on the possible etiologies of abdominal pain, there is a paucity of data on the natural evolution of abdominal pain while under the care of a Pediatric Gastroenterologist. Given limited access to Pediatric Gastroenterologists and long waiting times for initial consultation for abdominal pain, understanding what interventions ameliorate pain may help Gastroenterologists advise referring physicians while the patient awaits a consultation. Aims Primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients who reported at least a 75% subjective improvement of pain over baseline consultation. Methods A retrospective chart review between April 2014 and Dec 31, 2022 was taken in a hospital based GI clinic. Subjects referred for assessment of abdominal pain were identified, along with subjects referred for reflux and dysphagia as a comparator group. Subsequent visits were abstracted to identify diagnosis disposition and assess which interventions were tried and to what extent they succeeded. Patient loss to follow up were also measured. Results were summarized using descriptive statistics, and regression modeling will be attempted to identify predictors of response. Results 393 subjects were referred for abdominal pain and 286 for GERD and dysphagia. 439 (64.7%) reported at least 75% improvement in symptoms. 242 (35.6%) underwent endoscopy, 263 (38.7%) used Proton Pump Inhibitors, and 38 (8.54%) used Polyethylene Glycol-3350. Carbohydrate eliminations of various types were used in 13.5 - 27% of subjects with pain. 193 subjects (28.5%) were ultimately lost to follow up though some did report improvement in symptoms. Only 45 (6.6%) remained in active care by the end of the study while only 13 (1.93%) were transitioned to an Adult Gastroenterologist at 18 years old. Conclusions Pediatric Abdominal Pain is primarily a transitory population in the Pediatric GI clinic, with a large number responding to successive interventions. There is also a sizable minority who are lost to follow up. Future studies should attempt to identify the reasons for loss to follow up and ultimate disposition. Funding Agencies William Osler Health System Summer Student Research Program

Differences in provider recommendations for Black/African American and White patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Health disparities and barriers to equitable care for patients from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds are common. We sought to evaluate disparities in management recommendations among Black/African American (AA) patients seeking care for IBS. We assembled a retrospective cohort of patients at two tertiary care centers who were self-identifying as Black/AA and attended a first gastroenterology consult for IBS. These patients were age- and sex-matched to White controls with IBS also attending an initial gastroenterology consult. Retrospective chart review determined patient demographics, income, comorbidities, as well as provider management recommendations including pharmacologic therapies and non-pharmacologic interventions. Among 602 IBS patients ages 14-88 (M ± SD = 43.6 ± 18.6 years) with IBS, those who identified as Black/AA (n = 301) had a lower estimated mean income and were significantly more likely to have a number of specific chronic medical conditions. Black/AA patients were significantly less likely to have implemented dietary changes for symptoms prior to receiving a diagnosis of IBS from a gastroenterologist. Black/AA patients were also less likely to receive a referral to a dietician within 1 year following their diagnosis of IBS (p = 0.01). Black/AA patients were prescribed pharmacologic therapy more often for constipation (41.9% vs. 34.6%, p = 0.01). It was more common for White patients to present at the initial encounter having already initiated a neuromodulator (41.9% vs. 27.9%, p < 0.001). Management recommendations for IBS appear to vary by race, specifically for dietary advice and referrals.