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AbstractBackgroundThis study compared the effects of ondansetron and placebo in patients with diabetes mellitus and symptoms of dyspepsia (diabetic gastroenteropathy [DGE]).MethodsWe performed a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study of ondansetron tablets (8 mg) three times daily for 4 weeks in DGE patients. Symptoms were assessed with the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index daily diaries. Gastric emptying (GE) of solids (scintigraphy) and duodenal lipid infusions (300 kcal over 2 h) were each assessed twice, with placebo and ondansetron. Drug effects on GE, symptoms during the GE study and during lipid infusion, and daily symptoms were analyzed.Key ResultsOf 41 patients, 37 completed both GE studies and one completed 1; 31 completed both lipid infusions and four only placebo; and all 35 randomized patients completed 4 weeks of treatment. Compared to placebo, ondansetron reduced the severity of fullness (p = 0.02) and belching (p = 0.049) during lipid infusion but did not affect GE T1/2. Both ondansetron and placebo improved daily symptoms versus the baseline period (p < 0.05), but the differences were not significant. In the analysis of covariance of daily symptoms during the treatment period, the interaction term between treatment and the acute effect of ondansetron on symptoms during lipid challenge was significant (p = .024).Conclusions & InferencesOndansetron significantly reduced fullness during enteral lipid infusion in patients with DGE. Overall, ondansetron did not improve daily symptoms versus placebo. But patients in whom ondansetron improved symptoms during enteral lipid challenge were perhaps more likely to experience symptom relief during daily treatment.

Abstract Background Although diabetic gastroenteropathy (DGE) is associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), most studies have evaluated SIBO with a hydrogen breath test, which may be affected by altered transit in DGE. The risk factors for the consequences of SIBO in DGE are poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of, risk factors for, and gastrointestinal symptoms associated with SIBO in patients with DGE. Methods In 75 patients with DGE and dyspepsia, we tested for SIBO (≥10 5 colony forming units /mL of aerobic and/or anaerobic bacteria in a duodenal aspirate) and assessed gastric emptying (GE) of solids, symptoms during a GE study and during an enteral lipid challenge (300 kcal/2 h), and daily symptoms with a Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index diary for 2 weeks. Symptoms and GE were compared in patients with versus without SIBO. Key Results Of 75 patients, 34 (45%) had SIBO, which was not associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors, daily symptoms, GE, or symptoms during a GE study. During enteral lipid challenge, severe nausea ( p = 0.006), fullness ( p = 0.02) and bloating ( p = 0.009) were each associated with SIBO. Twenty patients (59%) with versus 13 (32%) without SIBO had at least one severe symptom during the lipid challenge ( p = 0.006). Conclusions & Inferences Among patients with DGE 45% had SIBO, which was associated with symptoms during enteral lipid challenge but not with delayed GE, symptoms during a GE study, or daily symptoms. Perhaps bacterial products and even fatty acids are recognized by and activate mast cells that drive the increased lipid sensitivity in SIBO.

AbstractBackgroundDiarrhea and rectal urgency are risk factors for fecal incontinence (FI). The effectiveness of bowel modifiers for improving FI is unclear.MethodsIn this double‐blind, parallel‐group, randomized trial, women with urge FI were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a combination of oral clonidine (0.1 mg twice daily) with colesevelam (1875 mg twice daily) or two inert tablets for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was a ≥50% decrease in number of weekly FI episodes.Key ResultsFifty‐six participants were randomly assigned to clonidine–colesevelam (n = 24) or placebo (n = 32); 51 (91%) completed 4 weeks of treatment. At baseline, participants had a mean (SD) of 7.5 (8.2) FI episodes weekly. The primary outcome was met for 13 of 24 participants (54%) treated with clonidine–colesevelam versus 17 of 32 (53%) treated with placebo (p = 0.85). The Bristol stool form score decreased significantly, reflecting more formed stools with clonidine–colesevelam treatment (mean [SD], 4.5 [1.5] to 3.2 [1.5]; p = 0.02) but not with placebo (4.2 [1.9] to 4.1 [1.9]; p = 0.47). The proportion of FI episodes for semiformed stools decreased significantly from a mean (SD) of 76% (8%) to 61% (10%) in the clonidine–colesevelam group (p = 0.007) but not the placebo group (61% [8%] to 67% [8%]; p = 0.76). However, these treatment effects did not differ significantly between groups. Overall, clonidine–colesevelam was well tolerated.Conclusions and InferencesCompared with placebo, clonidine–colesevelam did not significantly improve FI despite being associated with more formed stools and fewer FI episodes for semiformed stools.

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between cardiovascular and gastrointestinal (ie, plasma pancreatic polypeptide [PP] response to modified sham feeding [MSF]) indices of vagal function is unclear. Hyperglycemia inhibits PP secretion via vagally mediated mechanisms. Our aims were to (a) compare the PP response, (b) its relationship with glycemia, and (c) the relationship between PP response to MSF, gastric emptying (GE) of solids, and symptoms during GE study in healthy controls, patients with diabetic gastroenteropathy (DM), and non‐ulcer dyspepsia (NUD).MethodsIn 24 healthy controls, 40 DM, and 40 NUD patients, we measured plasma PP concentrations during MSF, cardiovagal functions, GE, and symptoms during a GE study.Key ResultsBaseline PP concentrations were higher in DM than in controls and NUD (P = .01), and in type 2 than in type 1 DM patients (P < .01). The PP increment during MSF was normal (≥20 pg/mL) in 70% of controls, 54% of DM, and 47% of NUD patients. Overall, the PP response and cardiovagal tests were concordant (P = .01). Among patients with a reduced PP increment with MSF, 7/10 of T1DM and 1/7 of T2DM patients had moderate or severe cardiovagal dysfunctions (P < .05). The PP response to MSF was not associated with GE.Conclusions & InferencesUp to 30% of healthy controls have a reduced PP increment during MSF, limiting the utility of this test to detect vagal injury. The PP response is more useful when it is normal than abnormal. A reduced PP response is more likely to be associated with cardiovagal dysfunctions in T1DM than in T2DM.

INTRODUCTION: Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is an important tool for evaluation of obscure GI bleeding but is a limited resource given time and expertise required. Patient selection is important to help optimize diagnostic yield and subsequent successful management of small bowel bleeding. To maximize the efficiency of DBE performed, our endoscopy group established a screening protocol (Figure) prior to approval of any procedure. We developed a quality improvement project to assess the efficacy of this screening protocol and to evaluate which components of screening were most predictive for procedural success. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent anterograde or retrograde double balloon enteroscopy for suspected GI bleeding from January 2016 to December 2017. Our screening protocol was implemented on February 1 st , 2017. Data was obtained on patient demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory evaluation, and prior investigation for bleeding evaluation. Endoscopy outcomes were separated into procedural success, defined as lesion identified, and clinical success, defined as resolution of bleeding. Success rates were compared pre and post intervention. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate which components best predicted a successful procedure. RESULTS: We reviewed 114 DBE procedures in 89 patients, 53.5% male (n = 61) with a mean age of 62.8 + 13.3 years. Of these, 86% (n = 98) were performed prior to initiation of the screening protocol. Overall, there was no significant difference in procedural success pre and post intervention as defined by presence of recurrent bleeding, persistent anemia, or transfusion need (Table 1). On univariate analysis of clinical success, defined as lack of recurrent bleeding, gender, anticoagulation use, and presence of lesion on CE were significant (Table 2). Identification and intervention on a lesion during the balloon endoscopy did not impact future anemia, bleeding, or transfusion requirements. CONCLUSION: The patient screening protocol was successful in decreasing the number of procedures performed but did not improve our lesion detection rate on endoscopy and did not improve clinical outcomes as measured by rebleeding. Patients on anticoagulation and those who had prior lesions identified on capsule endoscopy had higher odds of rebleeding, indicating clinical failure. This data may help modify patient selection to maximize success of DBE procedures in the future.

AbstractBackgroundNon‐ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) is a heterogeneous disorder, which is characterized by upper gastrointestinal symptoms and sensorimotor disturbances, including abnormal gastric emptying (GE) and increased intestinal chemosensitivity, and associated with greater plasma glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) levels during duodenal lipid infusion. However, the relationship(s) between these disturbances and daily symptoms in NUD is variable. We hypothesize that abnormal GE and symptoms during a GE study and during duodenal lipid infusion are associated with the severity of daily symptoms and that GLP‐1 mediates symptoms during duodenal lipid infusion in NUD.MethodsGastric emptying of solids, symptoms during the GE study and duodenal lipid infusion, and daily gastrointestinal symptoms (2 week diary) were measured in 24 healthy controls and 40 NUD patients. During duodenal lipid infusion, participants received the GLP‐1 antagonist exendin 9‐39 or placebo.Key ResultsIn controls and patients, GE of solids was normal in 75% and 75%, delayed in 8% and 12.5%, or rapid in 17% and 12.5%, respectively. No controls but 26 patients (65%) had severe symptoms during the GE study. During lipid infusion, gastrointestinal symptoms were greater (P = .001) in patients and not affected by exendin. Symptoms during GE study and lipid infusion accounted for respectively 62% and 37% of variance in daily symptom severity.ConclusionsIn NUD, symptoms during a GE study and to a lesser extent during lipid infusion explain the variance in daily symptoms. Intestinal chemosensitivity is not reduced by GLP‐1 antagonist. Assessment of symptoms during a GE study may provide a useful biomarker for NUD in research and clinical practice.

AbstractBackgroundOur aim is to explain the lack of clarity in the ways in which anxiety and depression, which are common in defecatory disorders (DD), may contribute to the disorder. In this study, we evaluate the effects of mental stress and relaxation on anal pressures and the mechanisms thereof.MethodsIn 38 healthy women and 36 DD patients, rectoanal pressures were assessed at rest and during mental stressors (ie, word‐color conflict [Stroop] and mental arithmetic tests) and mental relaxation, before and after randomization to placebo or the adrenergic α1‐antagonist alfuzosin.Key ResultsDuring the baseline Stroop test, the anal pressure increased by 6 ± 13 mm Hg (mean ± SD, P = 0.004) in healthy women and 9 ± 10 mm Hg (P = 0.0001) in constipated women. During mental arithmetic, the anal pressure increased in healthy (4 ± 8 mm Hg, P = 0.002) and constipated women (5 ± 9 mm Hg, P = 0.004). After relaxation, anal pressure declined (P = 0.0004) by 3 ± 4 mm Hg in DD patients but not in controls. Alfuzosin reduced (P = 0.0001) anal resting pressure (by 31 ± 19 mm Hg) vs placebo (16 ± 18 mm Hg). However, during the postdrug Stroop test, anal pressure increased (P = 0.0001) in participants who received alfuzosin but not placebo.Conclusions & InferencesIn healthy controls and DD patients, mental stressors likely increased anal pressure by contracting the internal anal sphincter; relaxation reduced anal pressure in DD patients. Alfuzosin reduced anal resting pressure but did not block the Stroop‐mediated contractile response, which suggests that this response is not entirely mediated by adrenergic α1 receptors.

AbstractBackgroundHigh‐resolution manometry (HRM) is used to measure rectoanal pressures in defecatory disorders and fecal incontinence. This study sought to define normal values for rectoanal HRM, ascertain the effects of age and BMI on rectoanal pressures, and compare pressures in asymptomatic women with normal and prolonged balloon expulsion time (BET).MethodsHigh‐resolution manometry pressures and BET were measured in 163 asymptomatic healthy participants. Women (96) and men (47) with normal BET were used to estimate normal values and the effects of age/BMI on pressures using a Medtronic 4.2‐mm‐diameter rectoanal catheter.Key ResultsAge is associated with lower resting pressure, higher rectal pressure during evacuation, and a higher rectoanal gradient during evacuation in women and men. In women, the BET is also inversely correlated with age while the BMI is correlated with a higher threshold volume for discomfort and a longer BET. The anal squeeze pressure increment, squeeze duration, and HPZ length are higher in men than women. The rectoanal gradient during evacuation is also lower (ie, more negative) in asymptomatic women with an abnormal than a normal BET.Conclusions & InferencesThese findings provide an expanded database of normal values for anorectal HRM in men and women. Age and sex affect anal resting and squeeze pressures, respectively; rectal pressure during evacuation is also higher in older people. Less than 15% of asymptomatic people have BET >60 seconds, which is associated with manometry features of impaired evacuation.