Lembo, Anthony

ABSTRACT Background Patients with gastric dysmotility exhibit abnormal transit and reduced contractility, for which quantification is limited with current methodologies. The Atmo Capsule is a wireless motility capsule that measures regional gastrointestinal transit. We tested its technical capabilities to evaluate gastric contractility by detecting changes in capsule acceleration during transit. Methods Data from 91 healthy controls and 182 patients with suspected dysmotility who ingested the Atmo Capsule following a standardized protocol were included. Gastric emptying times (GET) ≥ 5 h were considered delayed. Contraction frequencies (cycles per minute [cpm]) and amplitudes (as arbitrary units [au]) were identified following Fast Fourier Transformation of accelerometer data using 5‐min windows and were assessed in 30‐min windows post‐ingestion (early gastric phase) and before gastric emptying (late gastric phase). Data were compared via ANOVA, using Bonferroni corrections, between healthy controls, patients with normal gastric emptying, and patients with delayed gastric emptying. Key Results Gastric emptying was delayed in 53/182 (29%) patients. Three cpm contraction frequencies were identified across both gastric phases in controls and patients. Contraction amplitudes did not differ between groups in the early gastric phase. In the late phase, mean amplitudes were lower in patients with delayed gastric emptying (6.4 au) compared with subjects with normal gastric emptying (controls, 9.7 au, p < 0.0001; patients, 8.6 au, p < 0.0001). Conclusions & Inference The Atmo Capsule enables precise quantification of gastric contraction profiles, permitting differentiation of normal from pathological motor patterns. Findings of this technical assessment support its potential for evaluating gastric physiology and detecting pathophysiological patterns of gastric dysmotility.

INTRODUCTION: There is an urgent need for effective and safe treatment of gastroparesis. Metopimazine, a selective, peripherally restricted dopamine D 2 receptor antagonist, is used in France for the symptomatic treatment of nausea and vomiting and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of oral NG101, the mesylate salt of metopimazine, for the treatment of gastroparesis. METHODS: We conducted a 12-week phase 2 multicenter trial with NG101 5, 10, and 20 mg 4 times a day versus placebo. The primary end point was the change in mean nausea severity from the Diabetic and Idiopathic Gastroparesis Symptoms Daily Diary (DIGS-DD) during weeks 7–12 of the Treatment Period from baseline. The DIGS-DD measured nausea, abdominal pain, early satiety, postprandial fullness, and vomiting at their worst in the past 24 hours using a 0-10 point numeric rating scale. Patient Global Impression of Change questionnaires, including nausea, were assessed weekly using a 7-point balanced ordinal score. RESULTS: Of 161 randomized participants (45.3% diabetic and 54.7% idiopathic), mean DIGS-DD nausea severity scores decreased from baseline during weeks 7–12 in all treatment groups, but these improvements were not statistically significant compared with placebo. However, there were statistically significant improvements in nausea Patient Global Impression of Change during weeks 1–12 for all treatment groups compared with placebo. Trends in safety and efficacy favored patients with idiopathic gastroparesis compared with those with diabetic gastroparesis. DISCUSSION: While NG101 did not meet statistical significance in its primary end point for reducing nausea severity, it demonstrated a favorable safety profile and significant improvement in some secondary end points. Further study is needed to determine whether NG101 is an effective treatment for patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.

Summary Background Relamorelin, a pentapeptide ghrelin receptor agonist, accelerated gastric emptying significantly and improved symptoms in adults with diabetic gastroparesis in phase 2 trials. Aim To assess the safety and tolerability of relamorelin across phase 2 trials. Methods Safety assessments in patients aged 18‐75 years (weight, adverse events [AEs] and laboratory tests) from two randomised, double‐blind phase 2 trials (NCT01571297, NCT02357420; results published previously) were reviewed descriptively. Analysis of covariance assessed treatment effect on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood glucose post hoc . Phase 2a and 2b trial durations were, respectively, 4 weeks (relamorelin 10 µg once or twice daily [b.d.] or placebo b.d.) and 12 weeks (relamorelin 10, 30 or 100 µg or placebo b.d.) with 1‐ and 2‐week, single‐blind placebo run‐ins. Results Among 204 phase 2a and 393 phase 2b patients, respectively, 67% and 62% were female, and 88% and 89% had type 2 diabetes. Proportions of patients reporting serious AEs were similar across treatment groups, as were those with ≥1 treatment‐emergent AE (TEAE). TEAE‐related discontinuations were proportionally higher in relamorelin groups than placebo. Of 12 serious TEAEs in phase 2a, none occurred in >1 patient. In phase 2b, five serious TEAEs were reported in >1 patient, and one (100 µg) died (urosepsis), all unrelated to relamorelin. In phase 2b, increased HbA1c and fasting blood glucose levels were dose‐related ( P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0043, respectively). Conclusions Relamorelin showed acceptable safety and tolerability in phase 2 trials. Relamorelin may elevate blood glucose: this should be managed proactively in relamorelin‐treated patients.

Abstract Background This manuscript summarizes consensus reached by the International Anorectal Physiology Working Group (IAPWG) for the performance, terminology used, and interpretation of anorectal function testing including anorectal manometry (focused on high‐resolution manometry), the rectal sensory test, and the balloon expulsion test. Based on these measurements, a classification system for disorders of anorectal function is proposed. Methods Twenty‐nine working group members (clinicians/academics in the field of gastroenterology, coloproctology, and gastrointestinal physiology) were invited to six face‐to‐face and three remote meetings to derive consensus between 2014 and 2018. Key recommendations The IAPWG protocol for the performance of anorectal function testing recommends a standardized sequence of maneuvers to test rectoanal reflexes, anal tone and contractility, rectoanal coordination, and rectal sensation. Major findings not seen in healthy controls defined by the classification are as follows: rectoanal areflexia, anal hypotension and hypocontractility, rectal hyposensitivity, and hypersensitivity. Minor and inconclusive findings that can be present in health and require additional information prior to diagnosis include anal hypertension and dyssynergia. Conclusions and Inferences This framework introduces the IAPWG protocol and the London classification for disorders of anorectal function based on objective physiological measurement. The use of a common language to describe results of diagnostic tests, standard operating procedures, and a consensus classification system is designed to bring much‐needed standardization to these techniques.