Medical News

Here is a sampling of research and medical news that provide clues to better understanding GI disorders. Each new advance adds a small piece to the puzzle, making the big picture clearer.

To learn more about medical research, go to our webpage at Research.

News You can Use

Topics - Newest Postings Listed First

• Symptoms Typical in GERD May Delay Diagnosis in People with Untreated Achalasia
• Healthcare Utilization and Costs Associated with Gastroparesis
• Conclusions of the AGA Drug Development Conference on Upper GI Disorders
• Patient Perspectives on Most Important Study Endpoints for Fecal Incontinence
• Nasal Symptoms of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Improve with Antireflux Medication
• Barriers to Seeking Care for Fecal Incontinence
• Many with IBS-Related Symptoms Go Undiagnosed
• Class of Drugs Concluded to be Effective in the Treatment of Non-Constipated IBS and IBS-D
• News Updates from DDW 2017
• FDA Advisory Panel Warns Against Analgesic-Antacid Combination for Upper GI Symptoms
• Eluxadoline Approved in Canada
• Brain-Gut Microbiome Interactions in People with IBS
• Taste and Smell Abnormalities in Gastroparesis and GERD
• Dyspepsia Symptoms Associated with Reduced PPI Response in People with GERD
• Caution Associated with Gluten-Free Diet
• Gut Microbiota Signature Associated with IBS Severity
• FDA Warns of Serious Risk in Patients without a Gallbladder taking IBS drug Viberzi
• Do Children Grow Out of IBS?
• Red Meat Consumption Linked to Diverticulitis Risk in Men
• FDA Approves New Dose of Linaclotide for Constipation
• Diagnostic Language Affects Care in Functional GI Disorders
• Gastroparesis in the Community Research Survey Published
• FDA Approves Plecanatide for Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in Adults
• Current Evidence Not Enough to Support Medical Marijuana for IBS Treatment
• Abnormal Sensation Linked to Carbohydrate-Related Symptoms in IBS
• NIH Task Force Develops First Strategic Plan for Nutrition Research
• Overlap of Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome and IBD in Children
• Migraine Associated with Certain Functional GI Disorders in Children
• Genetic Variants in Digestion of Certain Carbohydrates Associated with Risk of IBS
• Acid Blockers Risk Factor for Iron Deficiency
• Positive Early Data Reported for Investigational Linaclotide CR2 and CR1 Formulations
• Linaclotide (Linzess) for Treatment of IBS-C Approved in Japan
• Medical News Reported at the 2016 FNM Meeting
• New Drug Study Reports Improvement of Symptoms of IBS-C
• Medical News Reported at the 2016 ACG Meeting
• Drug Development Conference Addresses Current Challenges and Emerging Solutions in the Upper GI Disorders
• Swallowed Flonase Effective for Long-Term Management of EoE in Children
• An Association Observed Between the Inflammatory Condition, Rosacea, and Certain GI Disorders
• Relamorelin Found to Reduce Symptoms in Adults with Diabetic Gastroparesis
• C. difficile Infection May Be a Risk Factor for IBS
• New Breath Test for Gastroparesis
• Nausea and Vomiting in Gastroparesis
• Environmental Roles in Disease
• Rome IV Released at DDW
• Medical News Reported at the 2016 DDW Meeting
• Mirtazapine Found to Reduce Some Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia
• High Prevalence of Functional GI Disorder Diagnoses in Pediatric Outpatient Clinic
• Preliminary Results Announced for OIC Treatment
• IBS Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency
• Eluxadoline (Viberzi) Effective in the Relief of IBS-D Symptoms
• Nutrition Research Roadmap Released
• Patient Experiences of Foods on Gastroparesis Symptoms
• Psychological Therapies Found to Reduce Symptoms of IBS
• Treatment Approved by FDA for Fecal Incontinence
• National Survey Finds GI Disorders Continue to be Source of Substantial Burden and Cost
• IBS Treatment More Cost Effective in Primary Care Settings
• Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication for GERD
• NIH Releases Strategic Plan through Year 2020
• Funding Support for Digestive Conditions Research in the US FY 2016 Budget
• Assessment of Long-Term GES in Children with Gastroparesis

View More News on Next Page»

Symptoms Typical in GERD May Delay Diagnosis in People with Untreated Achalasia

September 28, 2017 – Findings in a review of the medical records of 64 patients with a diagnosis of achalasia in South Korea suggest that achalasia should be suspected in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that is resistant to treatment (refractory). Symptoms associated with GERD, such as regurgitation and heartburn, were present in more than 50% of these patients, who experienced symptom onset an average of 2 years before obtaining the appropriate diagnosis.

_{Source: Jeon HH, et al. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. July 2017.}

Healthcare Utilization and Costs Associated with Gastroparesis

September 21, 2017 – A study using the National Inpatient Sample Database, which includes approximately 95% of the US population, to estimate the annual number of gastroparesis related hospitalizations during the period 1997-2013, concluded that the number of inpatient admissions for gastroparesis and associated costs have increased significantly over the last 16 years. Inpatient costs associated with gastroparesis contribute significantly to the national healthcare bill. Further research on cost-effective evaluation and management of gastroparesis is required.

_{Source: Wadhwa V, et al. World J Gastroenterol. June 2017.}

Conclusions of the AGA Drug Development Conference on Upper GI Disorders

September 8, 2017 – In November 2016 IFFGD attended the first Drug Development Conference sponsored by the Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics (CDT) of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), an organization for medical professionals in the field of gastroenterology. The aim of the meeting was to bring together physicians, researchers, representatives from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and patients to discuss current unmet needs and future strategies for treatment in 4 disorders of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that is incompletely responsive to acid inhibition, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), gastroparesis, and functional dyspepsia.

The conclusions of this meeting were used to prepare 4 white papers, one for each disease area. In August 2017, these papers were published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Several major themes were revealed:

• Diagnosis of these conditions may be complicated by overlap with other GI conditions.
• Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are important measures for determining the symptoms that are most bothersome for patients and should be used as endpoints for clinical trials.
• The clinical features of many of these conditions differ between adults and children. Identifying the characterizing symptoms in children is important to determine enrollment in clinical trials.
• Few effective, disease-specific treatments are available for many of these conditions, especially for severe and refractory cases. Future trials should target patient populations resistant to standard therapies.
• These conditions carry a potentially major financial burden on patients and their families, making identifying new, effective, and affordable treatment options a priority. 

Meetings that bring together all stakeholders to evaluate the state of the science and outline future directions for the development of safe and effective treatments are critical to improving the lives of those affected by these conditions. We are grateful to the AGA for sponsoring this important meeting.

Patient Perspectives on Most Important Study Endpoints for Fecal Incontinence

August 18, 2017 – Based on accounts from 28 individuals with fecal incontinence (FI) who participated in online focus groups and 186 individuals with FI who completed an online survey, researchers concluded that inclusion criteria for clinical trials should specify a minimum frequency of FI. Most patients would require a 75-80% reduction in FI frequency to call a treatment successful, but young adults and those with more severe FI would accept at least a 50% reduction as meaningful. "Adequate relief" was acceptable to 78% of the survey participants.

Randomized controlled trials for treatments of FI are difficult to compare because case definitions and study endpoints often vary. Input from patients about the desired outcomes of potential treatments helps researchers standardize the necessary endpoints of clinical trials and design future studies that will adequately address patient needs.

_{Source: Heymen S, et al. Neurogastroenterol Motil. May 2017.}

Nasal Symptoms in Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Improve with Antireflux Medication

August 2, 2017 – A study of 50 patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and 50 controls with no history of LPR and nasal disease concluded that LPR has a negative effect on nasal resistance and nasal congestion in affected individuals. However, treatment over 12 weeks with oral antireflux medication was associated with improved nasal findings. 

_{Source: Dagli E, et al. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. March 2017.}

Barriers to Seeking Care for Fecal Incontinence

July 20, 2017 – Fewer than 30% of women with fecal incontinence (FI) seek care for their condition. In order to better understand factors that may prevent or delay care seeking, researchers recruited 39 women with FI to participate in focus groups and interviews. A total of 12 barriers to seeking care for FI were identified encompassing three overarching themes: understanding of FI and its treatments, the relationship between perceptions of self and FI, and interactions with the healthcare system.

Care-seeking barriers in FI are similar to those described for urinary incontinence, including lack of knowledge about treatment; feelings of embarrassment, isolation, and stigma; and access limitations, with the notable addition of lack of knowledge that FI is a medical condition experienced by others. The authors argue that information about FI prevalence and treatability should be included in any efforts to promote access to effective treatments.

_{Source: Brown HW, et al. Int Urogynecol J. April 2017.} 

Many with IBS-Related Symptoms Go Undiagnosed

July 7, 2017 – Results of an online survey of 1,924 individuals with a history of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms found that more than one third (43%) had no medical diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) despite meeting diagnostic criteria for the condition.

Of those that had previously been diagnosed with IBS, 45% had been diagnosed by a gastroenterologist while 42% obtained their diagnosis from their primary care physician. Over one quarter (26%) and one third (43%) of diagnosed and undiagnosed individuals, respectively, were not receiving any treatment for their GI symptoms. Among those who were receiving treatment, 40% received IBS-related treatment from their primary care physician. 

_{Source: Sayuk GS, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. January 2017.} 

Class of Drugs Concluded to be Effective in the Treatment of Non-Constipated IBS and IBS-D

June 21, 2017 – A systematic review of existing data from 21 randomized controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy and safety of a particular class of drugs (5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonists) in adults with non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D) against placebo or other conventional treatment concluded that this class of drugs is effective in improving symptoms of non-constipated IBS and IBS-D, including abdominal pain and stool consistency. Drugs of this class include ramosetron, cilansetron, odansetron, and alosetron.

The most common adverse effect was constipation, which was likelier in those with non-constipated IBS after treatment than in those with IBS-D only. The systematic review found rare serious adverse events.         

_{Source: Zheng Y, et al. PLOS One. March 2017.}

News Updates from DDW 2017

June 12, 2017 – In May, IFFGD joined with clinicians, scientists, and others at the 2017 Digestive Disease Week (DDW) international meeting in Chicago, IL where the latest research findings in the field of digestive health were presented. Here are brief summaries from the meeting of findings relevant to the functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders (FGIMDs) community. Research presented at the meeting is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Positive results were presented about a number of therapies for treating FGIMDs, including: the injectable drug relamorelin was better than placebo for treating adult patients with diabetic gastroparesis; gastric electrical stimulation (GES) therapy improved symptoms of gastroparesis; a medical food containing caraway oil and L-menthol used in addition to standard drug therapies improved symptoms of functional dyspepsia; magnetic sphincter augmentation was more effective than PPI therapy for treating troublesome regurgitation in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);a low FODMAP diet approach was effective for some individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when administered and carried out under the guidance of an expert nutritionist; pelvic floor physical therapy helped to reduce episodes of fecal incontinence in children with pelvic floor dyssynergia; diaphragmatic breathing exercises helped improve belching severity in GERD patients with belching symptoms.

Studies looked at factors influencing quality of life, symptom severity, and economic impact of FGIMDs, including: functional dyspepsia is associated with significant economic costs among patients in Japan; greater severity of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain symptoms is associated with gastric retention in gastroparesis patients; sex differences exist in how fecal incontinence is experienced by individuals; sleep disorders, and sleep related anxiety and depression contributed to the severity of symptoms in patients with chronic constipation in China; IBS patients in Canada suffer from multiple symptoms that they do not feel are under control; diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D) poses a significant impact on patient quality of life, medication use, and the desire for more and better treatments in patients who participated in a multi-country survey.

Through innovative research the FGIMD community can achieve better understanding, faster and more accurate diagnoses, better treatment options, and ultimately, better health outcomes and improved quality of life. You can help support these efforts with a tax-deductible donation to IFFGD at ffgd.org/make-a-donation.

FDA Advisory Panel Warns Against Analgesic-Antacid Combination for Upper GI Symptoms

June 2, 2017 – An advisory panel from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned against the use of over-the-counter (OTC) products combining an analgesic (specifically, aspirin and acetaminophen) with antacids for the relief of "minor aches and pains associated with heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion, fullness, belching, gas, or nausea." In response to reports of serious bleeding events associated with the use of aspirin-antacid combination products, the FDA released a Drug Safety Communication in 2016 warning about the risk of bleeding and added the risk to all OTC product labels containing aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

_{Source: FDA Briefing Document. (Accessed 4/14/2017)}

Eluxadoline Approved in Canada

May 17, 2017 – Health Canada, the Federal department of Canada responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health, approved eluxadoline (Viberzi) for the treatment of adults with diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). 

Eluxadoline is also available as Viberzi in the US and is approved in Europe as Truberzi. 

Brain-Gut Microbiome Interactions in People with IBS

May 13, 2017 – Results from a study by researchers at UCLA of 29 adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 23 healthy control subjects confirm previous reports of gut microbiome-based IBS subgroups and identify for the first time brain structural alterations associated with these subgroups. The findings provide preliminary evidence for the involvement of specific microbes and their predicted metabolites in correlations between gut microbial measures and structural brain signatures in IBS.

The results suggest that identifying IBS subgroups based on gut microbiota, their related metabolomics profiles, and corresponding brain signatures is likely to play an important role in optimizing therapies in IBS.

_{Source: Labus JS, et al. Microbiome. May 2017.} 

Taste and Smell Abnormalities in Gastroparesis and GERD

May 12, 2017 – A study of 76 adults seen in a GI motility clinic found that taste and smell disturbances were higher in patients with gastroparesis and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) compared to healthy controls. While no causal relationship was assessed, taste and smell abnormalities were associated with increasing symptom severity, and may contribute to the food intolerances that many of these patients experience. Further investigations are needed to better understand this association and its possible impact on quality of life among patients with these GI disorders.

_{Source: Kabadi A, et al. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. February 2017.}

Dyspepsia Symptoms Associated with Reduced PPI Response in People with GERD

April 25, 2017 – Among 132 individuals diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), those experiencing the functional dyspepsia symptoms of early satiation (feeling of fullness) and vomiting were found to have reduced responsiveness to standard therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Results of this study may help clinicians better identify PPI-resistance in patients with GERD.

_{Source: D'Alessandro A, et al. UEG Journal. February 2017.} 

Caution Associated with Gluten-Free Diet

April 13, 2017 – Researchers at the University of Chicago caution that people who adhere to a gluten-free diet may be at risk for increased exposure to toxic metals due to changes in their diet. In a small study examining existing data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the researchers detected an increase in heavy-metal blood or urine levels among people following a gluten-free diet compared with people not following it. Many gluten-free diets include foods that have high concentrations of metals, such as fish and rice. While the levels found in the study were generally below toxic thresholds, further research is necessary to determine the long-term effects of accumulation of these elements in persons on the diet.

_{Source: Bulka CM, et al. Epidemiology. May 2017.}

Gut Microbiota Signature Associated with IBS Severity

March 23, 2017 – By using a novel technique to evaluate the gut microbiota (intestinal microorganisms) present in 139 adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 56 healthy controls, researchers were able to identify a distinct microbiota signature associated with severity of IBS symptoms. Notably, patients with severe IBS also had reduced microbiome species richness compared with healthy individuals and IBS patients with mild/moderate symptoms.

This microbiome signature may be used to explore other clinically relevant features of IBS and help researchers and clinicians develop new treatment pathways.

_{Source: Tap J, et al. Gastroenterology. January 2017.}

FDA Warns about Increased Risk of Serious Pancreatitis with IBS drug eluxadoline (Viberzi) in Patients Without a Gallbladder

March 15, 2017 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that eluxadoline (Viberzi), a medicine used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), should not be used in patients who do not have a gallbladder. An FDA review found these patients have an increased risk of developing serious pancreatitis that could result in hospitalization or death. Read more»

_{Source: FDA.gov Drug Safety News (Accessed 03/15/17)}

Do Children Grow Out of IBS?

March 10, 2017 – More than half of children in an observational study of 83 children newly diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were found to show spontaneous symptom resolution over a period of 24 months regardless of sex, age, effect of symptoms on daily activities, and IBS subtype.

Very little is currently known about the natural history of IBS in children. Additional studies looking at IBS prevalence, symptom burden, and the safety and efficacy of treatments in children are needed.

_{Source: Giannetti E, et al. J Pediatr. [Epub ahead of print].}

Red Meat Consumption Linked to Diverticulitis Risk in Men

February 27, 2017 – Consumption of red meat, particularly when unprocessed, was associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis in a research study involving 46,461 adult men. The risk of diverticulitis progressively increased after just one serving of unprocessed red meat per week but plateaued after six servings per week. Higher consumption of poultry or fish was not associated with risk for diverticulitis, and substituting fish or poultry for one serving of unprocessed red meat per day resulted in a decrease in the risk for diverticulitis.

While the mechanisms behind this association are not entirely understood, the relationship between unprocessed red meat and diverticulitis in men found here may provide practical guidance for individuals at risk for the condition.

_{Source: Cao Y, et al. Gut. 2017 [Epub ahead of print].}

FDA Approves New Dose of Linaclotide for Constipation

February 20, 2017 – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new, lower dose of linaclotide (Linzess) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults, which will offer clinicians more flexibility to prescribe based on individual patient need and tolerability. A range of FDA approved doses available to clinicians is important in the treatment of diverse patient populations.

_{Source: FDA Approvals. Medscape.com. (Accessed January 28, 2017).}

Diagnostic Language Affects Care in Functional GI Disorders

February 20, 2017 – A clinical research study found that uncertain diagnoses and vague explanations to patients could contribute to unnecessary invasive tests as well as suboptimal care in patients with functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, suggesting that patient care benefits from clear explanations of functional GI disorders and their chronic recurrent nature, as well as a clear explanation for why further testing may or may not be needed.

The study reviewed medical file documentation from 207 patients with either a "functional" GI disorder (such as irritable bowel syndrome) or an "organic" GI disease (such as inflammatory bowel disease) that were referred to a highly specialized (tertiary) medical center GI unit in Australia. Learn more»

_{Source: Linedale EC, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. December 2016.}

Gastroparesis in the Community Research Survey Published

January 27, 2017 – A research survey of 1,423 adults diagnosed with gastroparesis describes the burdens, concerns, and effects on quality of life imposed on people living with the chronic condition. The peer-reviewed journal, Digestive Diseases and Sciences, published results of the Gastroparesis Community Survey conducted by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) in collaboration with clinical researchers from Temple University School of Medicine. View a survey report on this IFFGD web page»

^{Source: Daohai Y, et al. Dig Dis Sci. January 2017.}

FDA Approves Plecanatide for Treatment of Chronic Idiopathic Constipation in Adults

January 19, 2017 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved the drug plecanatide (Trulance) for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adult patients aged 18 and over. In two 12-week clinical trials involving 1,775 adults with CIC to establish safety and efficacy, participants receiving plecanatide were more likely to experience improvement in the frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements than those receiving placebo, and also had improvements in stool frequency and consistency and straining. The most serious and severe side-effect was diarrhea. The drug should not be used in children less than 6 years of age due to the risk of serious dehydration, and should be avoided in patients 6 to 18 years of age as the safety and effectiveness of plecanatide (Trulance) have not been established in patients less than 18 years of age. Trulance should not be used in patients with known or suspected mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction.

^{Source: FDA News Release. (Accessed January 19, 2017).}

Current Evidence Not Enough to Support Medical Marijuana for IBS Treatment

January 12, 2017 – Based on an in-depth review of published research, a committee report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) found that evidence on the effectiveness of marijuana and/or its constituents for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is insufficient. The committee concluded that trials that evaluate patient-reported outcomes are needed to further understand the clinical effects in patients with IBS. The full report looked at health effects in many conditions and issues.

_{Sources: National Academies news release and full Report. (accessed January 20, 2017).}

Abnormal Sensation Linked to Carbohydrate-Related Symptoms in IBS

December 29, 2016 – Findings from a study of 29 adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 29 healthy controls suggest that an increased sensitivity (visceral hypersensitivity) of the colon to the sensation of distension – rather than excessive gas production – produces symptoms related to ingestion of poorly absorbed, fermentable carbohydrates (e.g., FODMAPs) in patients with IBS. The authors conclude that this may help explain the reason some IBS patients report symptoms after eating FODMAP-containing foods, and relief of symptoms when following a low FODMAP diet. The study patients experiencing symptoms did not have greater gas production or distension than healthy controls. They were, however, more sensitive to stimulation of the bowel and their symptoms correlated to the amount of gas produced.

^{Source: Major G, et al. Gastroenterology. 2016 [Epub ahead of print].}

NIH Task Force Develops First Strategic Plan for Nutrition Research

December 28, 2016 – The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the center of all federally-funded biomedical research in the US, has established a Nutrition Research Task Force to accelerate progress in nutrition research across all NIH agencies, including the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and guide the development of the first NIH-wide strategic plan for nutrition research for the next 10 years. This multidisciplinary task force is intended to complement and enhance ongoing research efforts across the NIH on diseases and conditions affected by nutrition, including diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease, and digestive disorders, as well as general health, and spearhead new research initiatives.

^{Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH.gov). News Releases. (Accessed December 28, 2016)}

Overlap of Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome and IBD in Children

December 28, 2016 – Among 81 children 8 to 18 years-of-age with a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (62 Crohn’s disease, 19 ulcerative colitis), 26% were found to have concurrent functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS). Children in this overlap IBD-FAPS population had significantly higher anxiety and depression scores and were found to have a lower quality of life than individuals with IBD without FAPS. Identification of children predisposed to overlap IBD-FAPS may help clinicians implement strategies to improve their symptoms and quality of life.

^{Source: Watson KL Jr., et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 [Epub ahead of print].}

Migraine Associated with Certain Functional GI Disorders in Children

December 28, 2016 – In a European study of children and adolescents (ages 6 to 17 years) migraine headache was found to be associated with several functional gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia, and abdominal migraine. No association was found between tension-type headache and functional GI disorders in this population. Observation of a link between these conditions may help doctors better diagnose and manage these conditions in the future.

^{Source: Le Gal J, et al. Lancet. October 2016.}

Genetic Variants in Digestion of Certain Carbohydrates Associated with Risk for IBS

December 25, 2016 – Researchers in a multicenter study found that genetic variation in the sucrase-isomaltase gene is associated with an increased risk for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The gene variants also occur in congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID), a rare condition that affects a person’s ability to digest certain simple sugars (carbohydrates), resulting in symptoms. The gene mutations were found to be more common among individuals with IBS, particularly those with diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D), compared to controls or those from the general population. Advances in characterizing genetic variants can help improve understanding of how best to target treatment options individually for patients.

^{Source: Henström M, et al. Gut. November 2016.}

Acid Blockers Risk Factor for Iron Deficiency

December 25, 2016 – Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) to suppress gastric acid production increases the risk for developing iron deficiency according to a community study. Increased risk was associated with dose and duration (2 years or more) of use. While the risk is not high, the researchers recommend that clinicians be vigilant when prescribing these medications, and use the lowest effective dose.

^{Source: Lam JR, et al. Gastroenterology. 2016 [Epub ahead of print].}

Positive Early Data Reported For Investigational Linaclotide CR2 and CR1 Formulations

December 22, 2016 – Results from a Phase 2b clinical trial to study an investigational linaclotide colonic release-2 (CR2) formulation in adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) showed that CR2 was more effective than placebo in improving abdominal pain and other abdominal symptoms, such as bloating and discomfort, with no apparent effect on bowel movement function. These findings support further investigation of CR2 in specific GI indications where patients experience abdominal pain but are not necessarily constipated, such as IBS-Mixed, IBS with diarrhea, ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis.

In another Phase 2b study, positive results were reported for the investigational linaclotide colonic release-1 (CR1) formulation in adults patients with IBS-C. Linaclotide CR1 is designed to provide targeted delivery of linaclotide to intestinal areas. The new formulation of linaclotide may produce additional relief of abdominal pain in patients with IBS-C.

Additional clinical trials to study the new formulations are required before FDA or other regulatory approval may be requested.

^{Source: Allergan and Ironwood News Releases. December 22, 2016}

Linaclotide for Treatment of IBS-C Approved in Japan

December 19, 2016 – The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare approved linaclotide (Linzess) as prescription treatment for adults with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in Japan. Ironwood Pharmaceuticals and its partner, Astellas Pharma anticipate that the drug will be available in the first half of 2017.

New Drug Study Reports Improvement of Symptoms of IBS-C

December 12, 2016 – On December 9, 2016 Synergy Pharmaceuticals announced results from the first of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of the new drug, plecanatide, for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). The drug was more effective than placebo in the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements and relieving abdominal pain in patients over a trial period of 12 weeks. The study involved 1,135 adult patients with IBS-C. The most common adverse event was diarrhea, which occurred in less than 4% of patients.

Mirtazapine Found to Reduce Some Symptoms of Functional Dyspepsia

May 27, 2017 – Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of 34 mostly female (29) patients with functional dyspepsia who have experienced weight loss of greater than 10% of their original body weight found the antidepressant drug mirtazapine to improve symptoms of early feeling of fullness (satiation), quality of life, gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, nutrient tolerance, and unintentional weight loss better than placebo over 8 weeks. The principal side effect of the drug was drowsiness. Further research is necessary to confirm the safety and efficacy of mirtazapine for functional dyspepsia with weight loss.

_{Source: Tack J, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. March 2016.}

High Prevalence of Functional GI Disorder Diagnoses in Pediatric Outpatient Clinic

April 25, 2016 – Over half (52%) of 976 pediatric patients admitted to an outpatient pediatric gastroenterology clinic were positively diagnosed with one or more functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders using Rome III criteria. In patients younger than 4 years, functional constipation (29%), infant regurgitation (13%), and cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS: 10%) were the most prevalent. In patients ages 4 to 18 years, the most common diagnoses were irritable bowel syndrome (IBS: 36%), abdominal migraine (19%), functional constipation (17%), and CVS (8%).

_{Source: Rouster AS, et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. October 2015.}

Preliminary Results Announced for OIC Treatment

April 18, 2016 – Positive results were reported from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 cinical trial of investigational drug naldemedine in 547 patients with opioid-induced constipation (OIC) following use of opioids for chronic, non-cancer pain. Naldemedine was found to significantly increase spontaneous bowel movements better than placebo over a study period of 12 weeks. The drug was well-tolerated, with diarrhea and abdominal pain being the principal side effects.

_{Source: American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) 2016 Annual Meeting. Poster #192.}

IBS Associated with Vitamin D Deficiency

April 14, 2016 – The authors of a randomized, double-blind pilot study of 51 individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found to have low levels of vitamin D suggest that the impact of IBS on quality of life may be heightened by vitamin D deficiency. They suggest that individuals with IBS might benefit from screening and possible supplementation.

_{Source: Tazzyman S, et al. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. November 2015.}

Eluxadoline (Viberzi) Effective in the Relief of IBS-D Symptoms

April 8, 2016 –Twice daily eluxadoline was found to improve stool consistency and reduce abdominal pain as well as frequency and urgency of bowel movements better than placebo in a randomized, double-blind study of 2,427 adult men and women with diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Sustained efficacy of the drug was demonstrated over a period of 6 months. The most common adverse events were constipation and nausea. Learn more

_{Source: Lembo AJ, et al. New Engl J Med. January 2016.}

Nutrition Research Roadmap Released

March 21, 2016 – Earlier this month the Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research (ICHNR) released the first Nutrition Research Roadmap, designed to guide federal nutrition research. The 2016-2021 National Nutrition Research Roadmap aims to encourage focus on research that can promote a more individualized approach to disease prevention and health as well as emphasizes the importance of addressing information gaps in nutrition-related chronic disease and health disparaties research.

_{Source: US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)}

Patient Experiences of Foods on Gastroparesis Symptoms

March 14, 2016 – A study surveyed 45 individuals with gastroparesis (39 with idiopathic gastroparesis) to identify and characterize foods that may worsen symptoms of gastroparesis as well as foods that may help alleviate symptoms. Foods found to provoke symptoms tended to be fatty, acidic, spicy, and roughage-based, and included orange juice, fried chicken, cabbage, oranges, sausage, pizza, peppers, onions, tomato juice, lettuce, coffee, salsa, broccoli, bacon, and roast beef. Tolerable foods (not symptom provoking) were generally bland, sweet, salty, and starchy, such as ginger ale, gluten-free foods, tea, sweet potatoes, pretzels, white fish, clear soup, salmon, potatoes, white rice, popsicles, and applesauce. Saltine crackers, Jello, and graham crackers were reported to moderately improve symptoms.

_{Source: Wytiaz V, et al. Dig Dis Sci. April 2015.}

Psychological Therapies Found to Reduce Symptoms of IBS

March 1, 2016 – A review of existing randomized controlled research studies, involving data from 2,290 individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), concluded that psychological therapies, including cognitive, relaxation, and hypnosis treatments, are effective in improving gastrointestinal symptoms in adults with IBS. About half of participants were assigned to a psychotherapy and half to control conditions (such as treatment as usual, education, sham treatments). On average, individuals who received psychotherapy had a greater reduction in GI symptoms after treatment than 75% of individuals assigned to a control condition and effectiveness was maintained after both short-term (less than 6 months) and long-term (6-12 months) follow-up periods.

_{Source: Laird KT, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. December 2015.}

Treatment Approved by FDA for Fecal Incontinence

February 18, 2016 – The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the surgically implanted FENIX Continence Restoration System to treat fecal incontinence (FI) in certain individuals who are not candidates for, or who have not previously been helped by, medical or other surgical treatment options. The FENIX System consists of a ring of titanium beads with magnetic cores designed to support a weak sphincter muscle with the aim of reducing incontinence events. The FDA reviewed data for the FENIX System through the humanitarian device exemption (HDE) process. The system was studied over a 12 month period in 35 adults who failed conventional medical therapy for treating FI. Among patients who have failed other fecal incontinence therapies, the results suggest that some could benefit from the device. Adverse events identified in the clinical trial for the FENIX System include pain, infection, impaction or defecatory disorder, device erosion, device removal/re-operation, and bleeding. Find more details on this FDA webpage.

National Survey Finds GI Disorders Continue to be Source of Substantial Burden and Cost

February 1, 2016 – A national survey in the US of data on symptoms and diagnoses, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and mortality of gastrointestinal (GI), liver, and pancreatic diseases from the years 2007 through 2012 found that these conditions remain a source of considerable burden and health care cost. Notable findings include:

• Nearly 1 million discharge diagnoses of functional GI and motility disorders were made (mostly for constipation) from emergency departments
• The most common GI symptoms prompting ambulatory visits were abdominal pain (more than 27 million), bleeding (more than 3.6 million), constipation (more than 3 million), and anorectal symptoms (more than 2.5 million)
• The most common GI diagnoses in the ambulatory setting included abdominal pain (more than 16.6 million), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and reflux esophagitis (more than 7 million), and constipation (more than 3.7 million)
• Hospitalizations for C. difficile infection increased by 151% since 2003 with a total cost of more than $1.1 billion

Data for this study were collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the National Cancer Institute.

_{Source: Peery AF, et al. Gastroenterology. December 2015.}

IBS Treatment More Cost Effective in Primary Care Setting

January 27, 2016 – A controlled retrospective study of reimbursement data in the Netherlands of 326 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the primary care setting and 9,274 IBS patients seen by specialists in a secondary care setting between the years 2006 and 2009 concluded that health care costs associated with IBS are significantly greater in secondary care settings. Total health care costs increased by 29% for primary and 116% for secondary care following a diagnosis of IBS and generally remained at these levels for the duration of the study period.

Based on these findings, the authors suggest that IBS should be treated in a primary care setting where possible and referrals to secondary or other specialist care settings should be restricted to patients with alarm or ambiguous symptoms.

_{Source: Flik CE, et al. BMC Gastroenterol. November 2015.}

Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication for GERD

January 21, 2016 – Results of a double-blind, controlled study of 44 patients with moderate to severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms resistant to standard proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy concluded that the minimally invasive transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF2) procedure is safe and offered greater relief of symptoms after 6 months compared to the sham intervention. These results suggest that TIF2 may provide an alternative treatment option for certain chronic GERD patients.

_{Source: Hakansson B, et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. October 2015.}

NIH Releases Strategic Plan through Year 2020

January 13, 2016 – After hearing from hundreds of stakeholders, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has unveileved its strategic plan for fiscal years 2016-2020. The plan outlines specific advances over the next 5 years, including contributing research to promote US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of treatments of rare diseases, as it endeavors to pursue its mission of working to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.

The NIH, through the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), provides the bulk of all federally supported functional gastrointestinal and motility disorders research.

Funding Support for Digestive Conditions Research in the US FY 2016 Budget

January 12, 2016 – On December 18, 2015 President Obama signed the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which funds federal agencies through Fiscal Year (FY) 2016.

The nation's primary biomedical research agency, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), received a $2 billion increase from FY 2015 – a $1 billion increase over the President's budget request. The National Institute of Diabetes and DIgestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the branch of the NIH that supports most federally-funded digestive conditions research, will receive a $68 million increase over the FY 2015 funding level.

This represents the highest increase the NIH and its agencies have received in 12 years.

Assessment of Long-Term GES in Children with Gastroparesis

January 4, 2016 – A long-term study of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) in 97 mostly female patients with gastroparesis concluded that the therapy is safe and effective for certain children and adolescents with treatment-resistant gastroparesis who experienced improvement with GES in their symptoms for at least a full year.

_{Source: Islam S, et al. J Pediatr Surg. October 2015.}