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Background Patients with depression frequently seek care in the emergency department (ED), especially in the context of suicidal ideation (SI) and self-harm (SH). However, the prevalence and trends in the United States (US) of ED visits for depression have not yet been characterized using a nationally representative sample. This study evaluates ED trends for depression in the US from 2006 to 2014. Methods Data was obtained from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) in 2006 and 2014 using a primary ICD-9 diagnosis of depression or a primary diagnosis of suicidal ideation (SI) and a secondary diagnosis of depression. Results Between 2006 and 2014, there was a 25.9% increase in visits to the ED for depression, which was higher than the 14.8% increase in total ED visits during this time period. The mean inflation adjusted charges associated with depression-related ED visits increased by 107.7%, which was higher than the increase in mean charges for all ED visits in the same time period (40.47%). Visit rates were bimodally distributed with respect to age, with peaks in adolescence and middle age. Notably there was a 61.3% increase in ED visits for depression in individuals younger than 20 between 2006 and 2014. Over half of patients were admitted for inpatient care with a mean length of stay of 5.6 days in both years. Inpatient charges increased 71.8% between 2006 and 2014. Conclusions ED visits for depression in the United States rose 25.9% between 2006 and 2014, which was higher than the 14.8% increase in total ED visits during this time period. Over half of ED depression visits were admitted to inpatient stay (mean 5.6 days both years).

Background & Aims Patient satisfaction is an important, but largely overlooked, component of management of functional gastrointestinal disorders. We aimed to identify demographic, clinical, psychosocial, and health-care use factors associated with satisfaction of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods We collected data from consecutive patients at an outpatient gastroenterology clinic of a tertiary care center from 2017 through 2019; the patients completed an electronic symptom survey at their initial visit and 3–6 months later. Patients were included in the study if they met Rome IV criteria for IBS with no organic cause for their symptoms. Patient satisfaction was measured using the irritable bowel syndrome satisfaction with care scale. We collected demographic, clinical, psychosocial, and healthcare use information from survey responses and review of medical records. Results Of the 137 patients who completed the study, most were satisfied a great deal (34.9%) or completely (18.6%), whereas 6.2% were not satisfied at all and 14.7% were a little satisfied. Among the 5 satisfaction subscales, the highest proportion of patients were satisfied with connection with their provider (93.4%). The subscale benefits of the visit had the lowest satisfaction rate (70.8%). Factors associated with overall satisfaction scores in the 3–6 months after initial consultation included decreased severity of IBS, higher number of follow-up gastroenterology visits, higher number of diagnostic tests during the follow-up period, and higher number of recommendations made at initial visit. Additionally, lower depression score at initial visit associated with higher satisfaction after 3–6 months. Conclusions Based on a survey of 137 patients with IBS, factors associated with satisfaction 3–6 months after establishing care with a gastroenterologist include reduced IBS severity, lower depression score at initial visit, higher number of recommendations, and higher number of follow-up gastroenterology visits.

Background Fecal urgency is a symptom generally associated with diarrhea but is also reported by patients with constipation. Our aim was to (a) assess the prevalence and burden of fecal urgency in constipated patients (b) evaluate gastrointestinal and psychiatric predictors of moderate to severe fecal urgency in these patients. Methods Patients presenting consecutively to a tertiary outpatient gastroenterology clinic with constipation were included. Patients were considered to have moderate to severe fecal urgency if ≥50% of bowel movements (BMs) in the past 3 months were associated with fecal urgency. Anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance were diagnosed using a Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) t-score of ≥60. Abdominal pain and constipation severity were also assessed using PROMIS questionnaires. Univariable and stepwise logistic regression were used to identify predictors of moderate to severe fecal urgency. Key results Of 139 constipated patients, 70.8% reported experiencing fecal urgency in the past 3 months and 25.8% reported being significantly bothered by it. Moderate to severe fecal urgency was reported by 27% of 139 patients. Frequency of loose stools (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1, 2.0) and presence of anxiety (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1, 5.0) were independent predictors of moderate to severe fecal urgency. Conclusions and inferences Fecal urgency is common in patients with constipation and is frequently bothersome to many patients. We identified clinical and psychiatric factors associated with moderate to severe fecal urgency in constipated patients with potential therapeutic implications if validated in future studies.

Introduction Crofelemer, the active compound purified from latex of Croton lechleri, has been shown to improve HIV and traveler's diarrhea and improve pain in women with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea (IBS-D). This trial evaluated the effect of crofelemer on abdominal pain in women with IBS-D. Methods Women with IBS-D were randomized to crofelemer (125 mg) or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was overall change in percentage of abdominal pain/discomfort-free days. Post hoc analysis for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) monthly responders was performed for stool consistency, abdominal pain, and combined stool consistency and abdominal pain. Results A total of 240 women were enrolled. There was no significant difference in overall percentage of pain/discomfort-free day between the groups. In post hoc analysis, FDA abdominal pain monthly responders were significantly more likely during months 1 through 2 (58.3% vs 45.0%, P = 0.030) as well as during the entire 3 months (54.2% vs 42.5%, P = 0.037) in the crofelemer group when compared with placebo. However, there was no significant difference in the percentage of FDA stool consistency monthly responders or combined stool consistency and pain monthly responders between the groups. Crofelemer had a safety profile similar to placebo. Discussion Crofelemer did not significantly improve abdominal pain over placebo by the primary endpoint. However, it did based on the FDA abdominal pain monthly responder endpoint. This suggests that crofelemer may have a role in the treatment of abdominal pain associated with IBS-D. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the potential of crofelemer as a visceral analgesic.