Early Satiety Research Articles

Lymphomas with massive splenomegaly – a case series

Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is an uncommon chronic B-cell lymphoma. Classical HCL and its variant are separate entities. Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) is rare accounting for <2%of lymphoid neoplasms2. A 62-year-old woman presented with constitutional symptoms and mild splenomegaly was having pancytopenia, monocytopenia and hairy cells in the peripheral blood. Bone marrow aspiration was a dry tap while trephine biopsy revealed diffuse lymphoid cell infiltration with characteristic fried egg appearance and fibrosis. Morphological and immunophenotypic diagnosis was HCL. She was successfully treated with IV-cladribine and G-CSF for chemotherapy induced severe neutropenia. She achieved complete remission in 6 months. A 56-year-old woman presented with abdominal distension and lower limb swelling was having marked splenomegaly, absolute lymphocytosis, mild neutropenia and anaemia. Blood film revealed lymphocytes showing moderate cytoplasm and cytoplasmic projections. With bone marrow biopsy and flow cytometry, splenic B-cell lymphoma/leukaemia with prominent nucleoli was diagnosed and was treated with rituximab monotherapy. A 76-year-old woman presented with progressive abdominal fullness, unintentional weight loss and early satiety was having splenomegaly, bicytopenia and absolute lymphocytosis consisting predominantly of small mature lymphocytes and occasional lymphocytes with polar villi. Morphological and immunopheno-typical results confirmed SMZL. She was treated with rituximab monotherapy.

Factors Associated With Delayed Gastric Emptying in Symptomatic Diabetic and Non-diabetic Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background Gastroparesis, characterized by delayed gastric emptying without mechanical obstruction, is a significant complication, especially in diabetic individuals. It manifests through symptoms such as abdominal bloating, feelings of fullness, and pain. This study investigates the prevalence of gastroparesis among non-diabetic and diabetic patients, exploring associations with demographic data, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels, and symptoms. Methodology This retrospective, observational, cohort study included patients with gastroparesis symptoms who underwent a nuclear gastric emptying study from January 2021 to April 2023. The study analyzed demographic data, symptoms, and HbA1c levels to identify correlations with delayed gastric emptying. Results Of 157 patients, 34.4% exhibited delayed gastric emptying. Diabetic patients comprised 29.3% of the sample, with a notable disease duration of over 10 years in 77.3% of cases. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and early satiety were prevalent, with significant associations between delayed emptying and female gender, higher HbA1c, and vomiting. Conclusions Delayed gastric emptying is significantly associated with female gender, elevated HbA1c levels, and when vomiting is the presenting symptom. Highlighting the importance of awareness among healthcare providers and the community, the findings encourage collaborative efforts for further gastroparesis research to better understand the predictive factors and mechanisms.

Abnormal functional connectivity of the reward circuit associated with early satiety in patients with postprandial distress syndrome

Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) is the most common functional dyspepsia (FD) subtype. Early satiety is one of the cardinal symptoms of the PDS subtype in FD patients. The heterogeneity of symptoms in FD patients hampered therapy for patients based on specific symptoms, necessitating a symptom-based understanding of the pathophysiology of FD. To investigate the correlation between reward circuit and symptom severity of PDS patients, seed (Nucleus accumbens, NAc, a key node in the reward circuit) based resting-state functional connectivity (FC) was applied in the neuroimaging data analysis. The results demonstrated that the patients with PDS manifested strengthened FC between NAc and the caudate, putamen, pallidum, amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and insula. Moreover, the FC between NAc and ACC, insula, thalamus, and hippocampus exhibited significant positive associations with symptom severity. More importantly, the strengthened FC between NAc and the ACC, insula, amygdala, and hippocampus were found associated with the early satiety symptom of patients with PDS. This study indicated that the altered FC of reward circuit regions may play a role in the pathophysiology of patients with PDS, and some of the aberrant NAc-based FC within the reward circuit were more related to the early satiety of patients with PDS. These findings improve our symptom-based understanding of the central pathophysiology of FD, lay the groundwork for an objective diagnosis of FD, and shed light on the precise prescription for treating FD based on symptoms.

The Therapeutic Effect of Biling Weitong Granules Combined with Oryz-Aspergillus Enzyme and Pancreatin Tablet on Reflux Esophagitis with Functional Dyspepsia

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Biling Weitong Granules combined with oryz-aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets on patients with reflux esophagitis with functional dyspepsia. Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with reflux esophagitis with functional dyspepsia who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University between June 2020 and June 2023 were selected and divided into two groups: the control group and the observation group, each consisting of 30 cases. The control group received oryz-aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets only, while the observation group received Biling Weitong Granules in addition to the tablets. The clinical efficacy, Chinese medicine syndrome points, esophageal kinetic indexes, gastrointestinal hormone levels, and therapeutic safety of both groups were evaluated. Results: The total efficiency of the observation group reached 93.33%, significantly higher than the 73.33% of the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, patients in the observation group exhibited significantly lower scores for Chinese medicine symptoms such as early satiety, belching, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the observation group showed significantly higher upper esophageal sphincter pressure, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and distal esophageal contraction scores compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, levels of gastric motility hormone, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and gastrin were significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Throughout the treatment period, there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups, indicating comparable safety of the two treatment modalities (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of Biling Weitong Granules with oryz-aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets demonstrates significant efficacy in the treatment of reflux esophagitis with functional dyspepsia, with a better safety profile. This finding warrants further clinical promotion.

A Forgotten Cause of Dyspepsia

AbstractA 63-year-old female patient presented with complaints of epigastric pain for 2 months associated with postprandial fullness and early satiety. She gave history of open cholecystectomy 2 years back at a peripheral hospital. Her general physical and systemic examinations were within normal limits. Her routine investigations including hemogram, liver and renal biochemistries, and ultrasound abdomen were normal. She had received multiple courses of oral proton pump inhibitors, prokinetics, antacids, and antispasmodics but had no relief. In view of her persistent complaint and age more than 60 years, her esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was planned. Her EGD revealed deeply embedded large gauze piece in the posterior wall of the first part of duodenum. Her contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed mottled appearance in first part of duodenum, which is nonmobile in subsequent images suggestive of gossypiboma. A final diagnosis of gossypiboma with partial migration of gauge into duodenal lumen was made. Endoscopic removal was not attempted in view of possible risk of perforation and patient shifted to the department of surgery for further management.

Factors associated with poor appetite among residents at selected long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction: Poor appetite is prevalent among older adults and may negatively impact on their overall health. This is especially true for institutionalised residents. Despite this, there is a paucity of research on appetite and its associated factors among institutionalised residents, which signified the present study. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly residents at long-term care facilities in the state of Selangor, Malaysia to ascertain their appetite status and its associated factors. Results: A total of 97 residents with mean age of 74.2±8.4 years old were recruited. They comprised 61.9% females and 38.1% males. More than 50% had poor appetite with early satiety. There were 63.0%, 82.4%, and 94.8% who had poor oral health, poor sleep quality, and depression, respectively. Ethnicity (OR=2.73; 95% CI=1.00-7.44; p=0.049) was the only factor that predicted poor appetite among older adults in long-term care facilities, with Malay residents having poorer appetite than their Chinese and Indian counterparts. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor appetite was high among residents staying at long-term care facilities in Selangor, Malaysia, especially among Malays. This issue deserves further studies to identify the specific underlying factors contributing to poor appetite among older adults from different ethnicities. Acknowledging the high prevalence of poor appetite among older adults and its possible unfavourable outcomes, appropriate nutrition interventions are therefore needed to address this issue among institutionalised elderly.

Meal related symptoms in youth with chronic abdominal pain: Relationship to anxiety, depression, and sleep dysfunction.

The objective of the current study was to describe meal-related symptoms in youth with chronic abdominal pain fulfilling criteria for a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) and their associations with anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. This was a retrospective evaluation of 226 consecutive patients diagnosed with an abdominal pain-associated DGBI. As part of routine care, all had completed a standardized symptom history, the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (utilized to assess for disorders of initiation and maintenance of sleep and excessive daytime somnolence) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children-Third Edition (utilized to assess for anxiety and depression). Four meal related symptoms were assessed: early satiety, postprandial bloating, postprandial abdominal pain, and postprandial nausea. Overall, 87.6% of patients reported at least one meal related symptom and the majority reported at least three symptoms. All meal related symptoms were significantly related to each other. Postprandial pain and nausea were more often reported by females. Early satiety, postprandial bloating, and postprandial nausea, but not postprandial pain demonstrated significant though variable associations with anxiety, depression, disorders of initiation and maintenance of sleep, and disorders of excessive somnolence, but only in adolescents. Meal related symptoms are very common in youth with abdominal pain-associated DGBIs. Early satiety, bloating, and postprandial nausea demonstrate variable associations with anxiety, depression, and disordered sleep while increased postprandial pain was not associated with psychologic or sleep dysfunction, suggesting a different pathway for symptom generation.

Modern Possibilities of Using Acotiamide in the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia

Aim: to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the new prokinetic drug acotiamide in the treatment of functional dyspepsia.Key findings. Acotiamide is an antagonist of inhibitory muscarinic receptors of type 1 and 2 and a reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase activity. In patients with functional dyspepsia acotiamide normalizes the accommodation of the fundal part of the stomach and accelerates delayed gastric emptying. The conducted studies have confirmed the higher efficacy of acotiamide compared to placebo in reducing the severity of such symptoms of functional dyspepsia as a feeling of epigastric postprandial fullness and bloating, early satiation. The advantage of acotiamide in comparison to other prokinetics (in particular, metoclopramide and domperidone) is the high safety of use and the absence of influence on the duration of the Q-T interval.Conclusion. The high efficacy and safety of the application makes it advisable to use acotiamide in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia.

Motility Disorders of the Stomach: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Evaluation

Gastroparesis (GP) is a disorder characterized by symptoms of nausea, vomiting, early satiety, abdominal pain, and/or bloating in the setting of delayed gastric emptying and the absence of a mechanical obstruction. Though the epidemiology and many pathophysiologic mechanisms have been well-established, GP remains an incompletely understood gastrointestinal disorder, and recent data has challenged existing concepts regarding the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of GP. Thus, our understanding of GP is evolving and with this comes the promise of novel diagnostic methods and treatments, both of which are sorely needed for this historically vexing disorder, which presents unique challenges to patients and providers alike. In this section, we will review existing principles pertaining to the pathophysiology and evaluation of GP, and contrast this with recent data, some of which challenges the historical perspective. In so doing, we aim to provide the reader with an updated and sophisticated view on the approach to GP moving forward.

Abstract B042: Feasibility of an electronic medical records based ovarian cancer symptom screening patient questionnaire

Abstract B042: Feasibility of an electronic medical records based ovarian cancer symptom screening patient questionnaire

A Classification for Gastric Outlet Obstruction in Childhood: Extending Beyond Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis.

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a rare condition in childhood, with the exception of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). However, no classification exists from a pediatric gastroenterologist's perspective. The patients with a diagnosis of GOO between 2009 and 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. We classified the patients according to GOO: presence of clinical findings accompanied by radiological and/or endoscopic findings; clinical status: intractable nonbilious postprandial vomiting alone or with abdominal pain, early satiety, weight loss, postprandial abdominal distension, and malnutrition; radiology: delayed gastric emptying and dilated stomach; endoscopy: nonbilious gastric contents after 6-8 hours of emptying and/or failed pyloric intubation; physical examination: visible gastric peristalsis. A total of 30 GOO patients (15 patients with IHPS, 1 patient with annular pancreas, 4 patients with gastric volvulus, 2 patients with duodenal atresia, 2 patients with antral web, 1 patient with late-onset hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (LHPS) had surgical treatment, and remaining 5 patients had medical treatment) were enrolled to the study. The median age was 8 months (range: 3 months-16 years), and 14 patients were female. Mitochondrial disorders, LHPS, metabolic disorders, and eosinophilic gastrointestinal system diseases were added to Sharma's GOO classification, and the classification has been expanded. This is the first and largest study of GOO in children. From the perspective of pediatric gastroenterology, new diseases will be addressed, and definitions will be highlighted with our classification for GOO in childhood.

Cambios en el peso y modificaciones en el estilo de vida implementados durante el confinamiento por la pandemia de COVID-19 se asocian como desencadenantes del desarrollo de síntomas gastrointestinales

AimsPandemic lockdown measures are a cause of concern, regarding their negative impact on the mental health of individuals. The results of numerous studies have associated the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms with different psychologic disorders, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, due to gut-brain axis interaction. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, gastrointestinal symptom onset related to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and various lifestyle modifications. MethodsAn analytic, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted on an open population that agreed to participate within the time frame of January to May 2021. ResultsA total of 298 subjects, 165 of whom were women (55.4%), agreed to participate and the mean patient age was 36.1±12.6 years. There was a significant increase in the frequency of several gastrointestinal symptoms: epigastric burning, early satiety, heartburn, regurgitation, constipation, and diarrhea. Changes in weight and modifications in lifestyle were found to be associated variables. ConclusionsThe results of this study showed a significant increase in a wide variety of gastrointestinal symptoms related to lifestyle changes due to the pandemic lockdown. Weight change, supplement and multivitamin intake, and reduced physical activity were the main associated risk factors. Public healthcare systems should take a multidisciplinary approach into consideration for the care of affected individuals.

The Association between Hormone Replacement Therapy and Gastroparesis in Post-Menopausal Women: A Worldwide Database Analysis.

Female sex hormones have been hypothesized to influence the higher prevalence of gastroparesis in females. This study investigated the effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on gastroparesis and its related symptoms, medication use, and diagnostic testing in post-menopausal women. Utilizing the TriNetX platform, we conducted a population-based cohort study involving post-menopausal women aged 50 or older, with and without HRT. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to adjust for age, race, ethnicity, diabetes, body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1c. The exclusion criteria included functional dyspepsia, cyclic vomiting syndrome, and surgical procedures. After applying the exclusion criteria, we identified 78,192 post-menopausal women prescribed HRT and 1,604,822 not prescribed HRT. Post-propensity matching, each cohort comprised 67,874 patients. A total of 210 of the post-menopausal women prescribed HRT developed an ICD encounter diagnosis of gastroparesis at least 30 days after being prescribed HRT compared to post-menopausal women not prescribed HRT (OR = 1.23, 95% CI [1.01-1.51] p-value = 0.0395). These associations persisted in sensitivity analysis over 5 years (OR = 1.65, 95% CI [1.13-2.41] p-value = 0.0086). HRT was associated with increased GI symptoms, including early satiety (OR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.03-1.45] p-value = 0.0187), domperidone use (OR = 2.40, 95% CI [1.14-5.02] p-value = 0.0163), and undergoing gastric emptying studies (OR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.39-2.01] p-value < 0.0001). HRT is linked to an increased risk of developing an ICD encounter diagnosis of gastroparesis.

Diabetic Gastroparesis: Navigating Pathophysiology and Nutritional Interventions

Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) delays gastric emptying in diabetes patients, notably impacting those with type 1 and long-standing type 2 diabetes. Symptoms include early satiety, fullness, appetite loss, bloating, abdominal pain, and vomiting, arising from slow stomach-to-intestine food movement. DGP’s unpredictable nature complicates diagnosis and blood glucose management, leading to severe complications like dehydration, malnutrition, and bezoar formation. Understanding DGP’s mechanisms is crucial for effective management. Vagal dysfunction, disturbances in the interstitial cells of Cajal, reduced neural nitric oxide synthase, and increased oxidative stress contribute to the complex pathophysiology. Accurate diagnosis demands a comprehensive approach, utilizing tools like gastric scintigraphy and the Gastric Emptying Breath Test. Considering the complex relationship between DGP and glycemia, managing blood glucose levels becomes paramount. Nutritional interventions, tailored to each patient, address malnutrition risks, emphasizing smaller, more frequent meals and liquid consistency. DGP’s complex nature necessitates collaborative efforts for enhanced diagnostic strategies, improved pathophysiological understanding, and compassionate management approaches. This comprehensive approach offers hope for a future where individuals with DGP can experience improved well-being and quality of life.

A169 A RARE MANIFESTATION OF ENTERITIS DUE TO IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR: CASE REPORT OF PYLORIC STRICTURE

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are immunomodulatory antibodies used to enhance the immune response against tumor cells that have revolutionized the treatment of various malignancies. ICIs pose a risk of immune-related adverse events in various organs including the gastrointestinal tract, with diarrhea and colitis being most common. ICIs can rarely cause involvement of the upper gastrointestinal tract, with case reports of gastritis, duodenitis, and esophagitis. There are very rare reports of strictures caused by ICIs, more frequently in the lower gastrointestinal tract, and only a few reports in the esophagus or duodenum. Aims We report a rare case of an upper gastrointestinal stricture due to ICI at the pylorus. Methods Case report. Results A 38-year-old woman with breast cancer on ICI pembrolizumab presented with several weeks of nausea and early satiety. She had started pembrolizumab 8 months prior, underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and mastectomy months ago, and completed radiation 6 weeks earlier. She also described nocturnal reflux and heartburn, but no vomiting, weight loss, or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Her examination was normal and recent bloodwork only showed a mild normocytic anemia. EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) showed friable circumferential ulceration of the distal antrum with surrounding erythema and luminal narrowing from the pyloric channel to duodenum. 1-centimetre gastroscope was not passable but 4.9-millimetre pediatric gastroscope passed into the duodenum where there were no abnormalities past the duodenal bulb. Pathology showed granulation tissue, fibrinopurulent exudate, and antral mucosa with chronic active inflammation negative for Helicobacter pylori and malignancy. Oncology felt that radiation was too far from the pylorus to be responsible for the findings. High-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and soft diet were recommended with minimal symptomatic improvement. 2 months later, she developed weight loss and repeat EGD showed minimal endoscopic improvement (Figure 1). ICI-related enteritis was suspected and she was started on prednisone 50 mg daily. Her appetite and nausea significantly improved. Steroid taper was planned for 8 weeks. At 3 months, symptoms recurred with prednisone taper. EGD showed only mild improvement of the duodenal stricture. Prednisone dose was increased. On repeat EGD at 7 months, the pylorus was patent with only granular inflammation predominantly in the apex of the duodenal bulb. She tolerated a slower prednisone taper thereafter. Conclusions ICI-related inflammation is common in the lower gastrointestinal tract and can less commonly affect the upper gastrointestinal tract. This is a rare report of upper gastrointestinal stricture and the first report known to us of pyloric stricture caused by ICI. Treatment may be challenging, but was achieved with PPI and high-dose steroids with slow taper. Funding Agencies None

Dispepsia: etiopatogenia, manifestaciones clínicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento

Dyspepsia is a set of symptoms originating in the gastroduodenal region. The term is complex and difficult to define; some symptoms are confused or overlap with other diseases. The main symptoms are burning or pain in the epigastrium, postprandial fullness, and early satiety. It is classified as organic or functional according to the origin of the symptoms. The pathophysiology of the latter is multifactorial, involving multiple factors such as slowing of gastric emptying, visceral hypersensitivity, or gastric accommodation, among others. It is an important disease with a significant prevalence in the population (20%) that generates high costs and an impact on patients’ quality of life. In order to diagnose it, it is essential to rule out an organic nature in patients with alarm symptoms by means of an oral panendoscopy. In the absence of these symptoms, the first step is to detect and treat Helicobacter pylori infection. If symptoms persist afterwards, first-line treatment is acid suppressant medications followed by tricyclic antidepressants and prokinetic agents.

Efficacy and safety of pantoprazole and itopride in patients with overlap of gastroesophageal reflux disease and dyspepsia: A prospective, open-label, single-arm pilot study.

Combining proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with prokinetics can provide synergistic action in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and overlapping dyspepsia, but data regarding this is lacking. This single-center, prospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 6-week treatment with fixed-drug combination (FDC) of pantoprazole (PPI) and itopride (prokinetic) in 50 patients with ≥3 month history of GERD and overlapping dyspepsia refractory to pantoprazole. Efficacy was assessed as reduction in GERD symptom assessment scale (GSAS) distress score for 15 symptoms from baseline to week 6. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored up to week 6. Although heartburn was the most common symptom at week 6 (26.8%), its frequency significantly decreased from baseline (84.0%; P <0.01). A similar trend was observed for other symptoms: pressure/discomfort inside chest (19.5%), belching (14.6%), regurgitation (12.2%), bloating (9.8%), flatulence (9.8%), early satiety (7.3%), acidic/sour taste in mouth (7.3%), nausea (7.3%), frequent gurgling in stomach/belly (4.9%), and pressure/lump in throat (2.4%). Mean distress scores of all symptoms markedly decreased at week 6. Three AEs (n = 2) of moderate intensity were reported. The FDC of pantoprazole and itopride showed favorable efficacy and safety in patients with GERD and overlapping dyspepsia refractory to pantoprazole monotherapy. Nevertheless, further studies are warranted.

Revealing Insights: A Comprehensive Overview of Gastric Outlet Obstruction Management, with Special Emphasis on EUS-Guided Gastroenterostomy.

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) poses a common and challenging clinical scenario, characterized by mechanical blockage in the pylorus, distal stomach, or duodenum, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and early satiety. Its diverse etiology encompasses both benign and malignant disorders. The spectrum of current treatment modalities extends from conservative approaches to more invasive interventions, incorporating procedures like surgical gastroenterostomy (SGE), self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) placement, and the advanced technique of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE). While surgery is favored for longer life expectancy, stents are preferred in malignant gastric outlet stenosis. The novel EUS-GE technique, employing a lumen-apposing self-expandable metal stent (LAMS), combines the immediate efficacy of stents with the enduring benefits of gastroenterostomy. Despite its promising outcomes, EUS-GE is a technically demanding procedure requiring specialized expertise and facilities.

The herbal preparation, STW5-II, reduces proximal gastric tone and stimulates antral pressures in healthy humans.

The herbal preparation, STW5-II, improves upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including abdominal fullness, early satiation, and epigastric pain, in patients with functional dyspepsia, and in preclinical models decreases fundic tone and increases antral contractility. The effects of STW5-II on esophago-gastric junction pressure, proximal gastric tone and antropyloroduodenal pressures, disturbances of which may contribute to symptoms associated with disorders of gut-brain interaction, including functional dyspepsia, in humans, have, hitherto, not been evaluated. STW5-II or placebo (matched for color, aroma, and alcohol content) were each administered orally, at the recommended dose (20 drops), to healthy male and female volunteers (age: 27 ± 1 years) in a double-blind, randomized fashion, on two separate occasions, separated by 3-7 days, to evaluate effects on (i) esophago-gastric junction pressures following a standardized meal using solid-state high-resolution manometry (part 1, n = 16), (ii) proximal gastric volume using a barostat (part 2, n = 16), and (iii) antropyloroduodenal pressures assessed by high-resolution manometry (part 3, n = 18), for 120 min (part 1) or 180 min (parts 2, 3). STW5-II increased maximum intrabag volume (ml; STW5-II: 340 ± 38, placebo: 251 ± 30; p = 0.007) and intrabag volume between t = 120 and 180 min (p = 0.011), and the motility index of antral pressure waves between t = 60 and 120 min (p = 0.032), but had no effect on esophago-gastric junction, pyloric, or duodenal pressures. STW5-II has marked region-specific effects on gastric motility in humans, which may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy in functional dyspepsia.

Gastrointestinal manifestations seen in pediatric patients diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy.

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) affects the fibers involved in cutaneous and visceral pain and temperature sensation and are a crucial part of the autonomic nervous system. Autonomic dysfunction secondary to SFN and autoimmune receptor antibodies is being increasingly recognized, and gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations include constipation, early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Enteric nervous system involvement may be a possible explanation of abnormal GI motility patterns seen in these patients. Children suspected to have SFN based on symptoms underwent skin biopsy at the Child Neurology clinic at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, which was processed at Therapath™ Neuropathology. SFN was diagnosed using epidermal nerve fiber density values that were below 5th percentile from the left distal leg (calf) as reported per Therapath™ laboratory. Twenty-six patients were diagnosed with SFN. Retrospective chart review was performed, including demographic data, clinical characteristics, and evaluation. A majority of patients were white adolescent females. Autonomic dysfunction, including orthostasis and temperature dysregulation were seen in 61.5% of patients (p = 0.124). Somatosensory symptoms, including pain or numbness were seen in 85% of patients (p < 0.001). GI symptoms were present in 85% of patients (p < 0.001) with constipation being the most common symptom seen in 50% of patients. This correlated with the motility testing results. Pediatric patients with SFN commonly have GI symptoms, which may be the main presenting symptom. It is important to recognize and look for symptoms of small fiber neuropathy in children with refractory GI symptoms that may explain multisystemic complaints often seen in these patients.