Search

Background: Prokinetics are a class of pharmacological drugs designed to improve gastrointestinal (GI) motility, either regionally or across the whole gut. Each drug has its merits and drawbacks, and based on current evidence as high‐quality studies are limited, we have no clear recommendation on one class or other. However, there remains a large unmet need for both regionally selective and/or globally acting prokinetic drugs that work primarily intraluminally and are safe and without systemic side effects. Purpose: Here, we describe the strengths and weaknesses of six classes of prokinetic drugs, including their pharmacokinetic properties, efficacy, safety and tolerability and potential indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

Background and Aims: The role of preoperative pharmacological prophylaxis in preventing aspiration pneumonitis under general anesthesia (GA) in patients at low risk of aspiration pneumonitis is still under debate. We addressed the need for routine pharmacological aspiration prophylaxis in at-risk population by assessing the change in gastric volume using ultrasound with and without pharmacological acid aspiration prophylaxis. Material and Methods: A single-center, randomized double-blinded trial, with 200 adult patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures under GA, were randomized into a prophylaxis group, in which the patients received oral famotidine and metoclopramide, and a no prophylaxis group, in which the patients did not receive any prophylaxis. Gastric volume derived from preinduction measurement of gastric antral volume by ultrasound, postinduction gastric pH, and incidences of aspiration pneumonitis were compared. Bland-Altman plot was used to determine the level of agreement between measured gastric volume and ultrasonography based on calculated gastric volume. Results: The gastric antral cross-sectional area (CSA) and volume in the no prophylaxis group (3.12 cm2 and 20.11 ml, respectively) were comparable to the prophylaxis group (2.56 cm2 and 19.67 ml, respectively) (P-values 0.97 and 0.63, respectively). Although there was a statistically significant decrease in gastric pH in the no prophylaxis group (P-value 0.01), it was not clinically significant to increase the risk of aspiration pneumonitis based on Roberts and Shirley criteria (P-value 0.39). Conclusion: In an adequately fasted low-risk population, the amount of residual gastric volume was similar and below the aspiration threshold, regardless of the aspiration prophylaxis status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'atteinte digestive au cours de la sclérodermie systémique peut être sévère et occasionner une véritable pseudo-obstruction intestinale chronique, secondaire à des troubles profonds de la motilité de l'intestin grêle. Elle est associée à certaines caractéristiques cliniques et biologiques, notamment la positivité des anticorps anti fibrillarine/U3RNP. La pseudo-obstruction intestinale chronique se complique d'une pullulation microbienne qui nécessite une antibiothérapie cyclique. Elle entraîne nécessairement une réduction du bol alimentaire compte-tenu des symptômes douloureux, nausées et vomissements engendrés par les repas et, in fine , une dénutrition sévère. La stratégie de fractionnement des repas n'est souvent que transitoirement efficace et les patients nécessitent un authentique support nutritionnel, principalement par voie parentérale. La sclérodermie systémique ne constitue pas un frein à l'initiation et la poursuite de ce traitement dans le temps. Les dispositifs veineux implantables ne s'accompagnent pas d'un surrisque de complications locales ou infectieuses. La poursuite d'une nutrition parentérale au long cours nécessite toutefois un suivi conjoint dans un centre expert en nutrition, afin d'adapter les volumes et apports nutritifs et d'en limiter les complications cardiaques et hépatobiliaires potentiellement mortelles. À la nutrition s'associent des traitements prokinétiques dont les effets secondaires – notamment antagonistes sur la motilité digestive – doivent être connus, ainsi que des procédures invasives dont la balance bénéfice-risque doit être évaluée avec précaution. Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis can be severe, reaching the critical point of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, secondary to major disorders of small bowel motility. It is associated with some clinical and biological characteristics, in particular the positivity of anti-fibrillarin/U3RNP antibodies. Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is complicated by a small intestinal bacterial overgrowth that requires cyclic antibiotic therapy. CIPO leads to a reduction of the food intake, due to painful symptoms, nausea and vomiting caused by meals, and ultimately to severe malnutrition. Meal splitting is often transiently effective and patients require exogenous nutritional support, mostly parenteral. Systemic sclerosis is not an obstacle to initiation and long-term continuation of parenteral nutrition and central venous catheter implantation is not associated with an increased risk of cutaneous or infectious complications. However, continuation of long-term parenteral nutrition requires monitoring in an expert nutrition center in order to adapt nutritional volumes and intakes and to limit potentially fatal cardiac and hepatobiliary complications. In addition to nutrition, prokinetic treatments, whose side effects must be known, can be associated. Invasive procedures, whose risk-benefit ratio must be carefully assessed, can also be used to treat symptoms exclusively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims Prokinetic agents and neuromodulators are among the treatment options for functional dyspepsia (FD), but their comparative efficacy is unclear. We aimed to compare the efficacy of mosapride controlled-release (CR) and nortriptyline in patients with FD after 4 weeks of treatment. Methods Participants with FD were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive mosapride CR (mosapride CR 15 mg and nortriptyline placebo) or nortriptyline (mosapride CR placebo and nortriptyline 10 mg) in double-placebo, double-blinded, randomized controlled, parallel clinical study. The primary endpoint was defined as the proportion of patients with overall dyspepsia improvement after 4 weeks treatment. The secondary endpoints were changes in individual symptom scores, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Results One hundred nine participants were recruited and assessed for eligibility, and 54 in the mosapride CR group and 50 in the nortriptyline group were included in the modified intention-to-treat protocol. The rate of overall dyspepsia improvement was similar between groups (53.7% vs 54.0%, P = 0.976). There was no difference in the efficacy of mosapride CR and nortriptyline in a subgroup analysis by FD subtype (59.3% vs 52.5% in postprandial distress syndrome, P = 0.615; 44.4% vs 40.0% in epigastric pain syndrome, P = > 0.999; 50.0% vs 59.1% in overlap, P = 0.565; respectively). Both treatments significantly improved anxiety, depression, and quality of life from baseline. Conclusion Mosapride CR and nortriptyline showed similar efficacy in patients with FD regardless of the subtype. Both treatments could be equally helpful for improving quality of life and psychological well-being while also relieving dyspepsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Since the previous network meta-analysis assessing the efficacy of prokinetics for functional dyspepsia (FD), there have been a number of new studies and cinitapride is a new prokinetic agent for FD. This updated meta-analysis aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of prokinetics for FD. Methods An updated study search in Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science was conducted in literatures published from July 2015 to March 2023. Randomized controlled trials investigating the use of prokinetics in adult FD patients were included. The primary outcome was the total efficacy rate and the secondary outcome was adverse events. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using R software. Results A total of 28 studies were included. Network meta-analysis showed that metoclopramide had a higher total efficacy rate than mosapride (OR: 3.53, 95%CI: 1.70–7.47), domperidone (OR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.16–4.63), itopride(OR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.41–5.59), acotiamide(OR: 2.63, OR: 1.33–5.36), and placebo(OR: 5.68, 95%CI: 2.98–11.10), however similar to cinitapride (OR: 1.62, 95%CI: 0.75–3.53). Cinitapride had a higher total efficacy rate than mosapride (OR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.16–4.14) and placebo (OR: 3.52, 95%CI: 2.01–6.24). Cinitapride had lower risk of total adverse events than domperidone. There was no difference in the risk of drug-related adverse events between the prokinetics. Conclusions Metoclopramide and cinitapride may have a better efficacy than other prokinetics in the treatment of FD, and cinitapride may have a lower risk of total adverse events. Further studies using uniform definitions or validated tools to measure the total efficacy rate are needed.

Acotiamide is a prokinetic with a novel mechanism of action an antagonist of muscarinic M1 and M2 receptors and an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholine is the central mediator of the tone of the muscular components of the gastrointestinal tract, increasing its motor activity. Blockade of presynaptic M1 and M2 receptors neutralizes the inhibitory effect of the feedback mechanism on the acetylcholine synthesis, while inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in the synaptic cleft reduces the acetylcholine degradation. Currently, the clinical efficacy of acotiamide in the population of patients with functional dyspepsia is demonstrated in more than 10 clinical studies in different regions of the world, demonstrating a reduction of the symptoms of the disease during treatment with this agent and an improvement in the quality of life of patients. In addition, the combination of acotiamide with proton pump inhibitors optimizes the management of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Since the previous network meta-analysis assessing the efficacy of prokinetics for functional dyspepsia (FD), there have been a number of new studies and cinitapride is a new prokinetic agent for FD. This updated meta-analysis aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of prokinetics for FD. Methods: An updated study search in Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science was conducted in literatures published from July 2015 to March 2023. Randomized controlled trials investigating the use of prokinetics in adult FD patients were included. The primary outcome was the total efficacy rate and the secondary outcome was adverse events. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using R software. Results: A total of 28 studies were included. Network meta-analysis showed that metoclopramide had a higher total efficacy rate than mosapride (OR: 3.53, 95%CI: 1.70–7.47), domperidone (OR: 2.29, 95%CI: 1.16–4.63), itopride(OR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.41–5.59), acotiamide(OR: 2.63, OR: 1.33–5.36), and placebo(OR: 5.68, 95%CI: 2.98–11.10), however similar to cinitapride (OR: 1.62, 95%CI: 0.75–3.53). Cinitapride had a higher total efficacy rate than mosapride (OR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.16–4.14) and placebo (OR: 3.52, 95%CI: 2.01–6.24). Cinitapride had lower risk of total adverse events than domperidone. There was no difference in the risk of drug-related adverse events between the prokinetics. Conclusions: Metoclopramide and cinitapride may have a better efficacy than other prokinetics in the treatment of FD, and cinitapride may have a lower risk of total adverse events. Further studies using uniform definitions or validated tools to measure the total efficacy rate are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are currently the reference drugs for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but symptoms often recur after their withdrawal. Moreover, whether prokinetics or barrier drugs used alongside PPIs are more effective remains under debate. Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of different therapeutic approaches to GERD treatment. Materials and methods. We enrolled 211 grade A reflux esophagitis patients who consented to participate in this non-randomized, open-label trial. The study consisted of 6 sequentially administered medical treatments for GERD, lasting 2 months, with a 3-week washout period between each drug schedule: Group A: PPI (esomeprazole 40 mg/day before breakfast); Group B: mucosal protective drugs (a combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and poloxamer 407, or a combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and aluminum, 3 times daily after a meal); Group C: prokinetics (levosulpiride 25 mg or domperidone 10 mg, 3 times daily before a meal); Group D: barrier drug (alginate 3 times daily after a meal); Group E: PPI (esomeprazole 40 mg/day before breakfast) and mucosal protective drugs (a combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and poloxamer 407, or a combination of hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and aluminum, before sleep); Group F: PPI (esomeprazole 40 mg/day before breakfast) and prokinetics (levosulpiride 25 mg or domperidone 10 mg before lunch and dinner). Symptoms were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and global symptomatic score (GSS), as follows: heartburn: 0-3; retrosternal chest pain: 0-3; regurgitation: 0-3. Results. All but 2 treatments (groups C and D) significantly improved VAS and GSS, with group E showing the most significant GSS improvement. Group C had the highest number of dropouts due to treatment failure and reported more side effects. Conclusions. Using PPIs and mucosal protective drugs resulted in significant symptom alleviation. However, the administration of prokinetics caused higher dropouts due to treatment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate cardiac indices using M-mode echocardiography after the administration of metoclopramide and ondansetron in donkeys. For this purpose, 10 apparently healthy Egyptian Baladi donkeys (Equus asinus) were used in a crossover prospective study. Two trials were conducted with the administration of metoclopramide hydrochloride anhydrous at a dose of 0.25 mg Kg−1 and ondansetron hydrochloride sodium at a dose of 0.15 mg Kg−1. The control group (placebo) received a total volume of 50 mL of isotonic saline at 0.9%. An echocardiographic examination was performed using a Digital Color Doppler Ultrasound System equipped with a 2–3.9 MHz phased array sector scanner transducer. In general, the fractional shortening (FS%) was significantly affected by the time for metoclopramide (p = 0.031) and ondansetron (p = 0.047) compared with those of placebo, with treatment with metoclopramide provoking significantly higher percentages of FS% at T60 (p = 0.009) and T90 (p = 0.028) compared with those for ondansetron and placebo. The interaction of time x treatment also showed a statistically significant alteration of FS% (p

Gastroparesis is characterized by symptoms suggesting gastric retention of food and objective evidence of delayed gastric emptying in the absence of a mechanical obstruction. Nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and postprandial fullness are the classic symptoms of gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is increasingly encountered by physicians. There are several recognized etiologies of gastroparesis, including diabetic, post-surgical, medication-induced, post-viral, and idiopathic. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify studies discussing gastroparesis management. Dietary modifications, medication adjustments, glucose control, antiemetic agents, and prokinetic agents are all part of gastroparesis management. In this manuscript, we detail treatments evolving for gastroparesis, including nutritional, pharmaceutical, device, and recent advanced endoscopic and surgical therapies. This manuscript concludes with a speculative viewpoint on how the field will evolve in 5 years' time. Identification of the dominant symptoms (fullness, nausea, abdominal pain, and heartburn) helps to direct management efforts of the patients. Treatments for refractory (treatment resistant) symptoms may include gastric electric stimulation and intra-pyloric interventions like botulinum toxin and endoscopic pyloromyotomy. Understanding the pathophysiology of gastroparesis, relating pathophysiologic abnormalities to specific symptoms, new efficacious pharmacotherapies, and better understanding of the clinical predictors of response of therapies, are priorities for future research in the field of gastroparesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: to analyse the document of the European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility consensus on gastroparesis, held in 2020.Key findings. The evaluation of the voting results on the submitted statements of the consensus meeting shows that there is a high level of agreement among the experts regarding the definition of gastroparesis, the main diseases in which it occurs, and the existing diagnostic methods. At the same time, there is a divergence of views regarding the role of individual pathogenetic factors of gastroparesis and their relationship with clinical symptoms, as well as the effectiveness of drugs of various groups and other treatment methods.Conclusion. The pathophysiological mechanisms of gastroparesis and the effectiveness of various treatment methods need further research.

Copyright of Summa, Animali da Compagnia is the property of Point Veterinaire Italie s.r.l. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Clinical symptoms attributed to gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in healthy term infants are non-specific and overlap with age-appropriate behaviours. This practice point reviews the evidence for medically recommended management of this common condition. Current recommendations to manage GERD include feeding modifications such as thickening feeds or avoiding cow's milk protein. There is limited evidence for pharmacological management, including acid suppressive therapy or prokinetic agents, with the risks of such treatments often outweighing possible benefits due to significant safety and side effect concerns. Acid-suppressive therapy should not be routinely used for infants with GERD and is most likely to be useful in the context of symptoms that suggest erosive esophagitis. Evidence for managing symptoms attributed to GERD in otherwise healthy term infants less than 1 year of age is presented, and the over-prescription of medications in this population is discouraged. Anticipatory guidance regarding the natural resolution of reflux symptoms is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: It is strongly recommended that laxatives be routinely prescribed for the prevention of opioid-induced constipation (OIC). The evidence supporting the effectiveness of prokinetics for this indication is sparse. This study aims to verify if itopride, added to preventive OIC therapy, increases the effectiveness of the prevention of opioid-induced constipation in adult palliative care patients.Material and methods: In a questionnaire-based observational study, all patients received regular laxatives plus one of the following: oxycodone/naloxone (OXN); itopride (ITP); or oxycodone/naloxone + itopride (OXN + ITP). The primary measure was the decrease in the necessity of laxative use in a 0-4 scale assessed after 7 days of treatment.Results: Ninety-two patients met the inclusion criteria in the four groups: OXN (n = 12), ITP (11), OXN + ITP (9), and the control group (laxatives only if needed) (60). The necessity of laxatives decreased in groups where itopride was used, with a statistically significant difference versus control, oxycodone/naloxone (p = 0.009), or in combination. The OXN did not decrease laxative use (p = 0.22).Conclusions: All interventions appeared similarly effective in the prevention of OIC. However, adding itopride, but not oxycodone/naloxone, resulted in a decrease in the necessity of laxative use in OIC patients, and it seems to be valuable in this often refractory condition. Randomised, controlled trials would be valuable to obtain good quality evidence without systematic bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Feed intolerance (FI) is common in cirrhosis patients in intensive care units (ICU). Prokinetics are the first line treatment for FI but their efficacy and safety in critically ill patient with cirrhosis is unknown. We evaluated the role of prokinetics in reversal of FI and clinical outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients admitted in ICU developing new-onset FI, were randomized to receive either intravenous metoclopramide (Gr.A, n = 28), erythromycin (Gr.B, n = 27) or placebo (Gr.C, n = 28). FI was defined with the presence of 3 of 5 variables- absence of bowel sounds, gastric residual volume ≥ 500 ml, vomiting, diarrhoea and bowel distension. Primary end-point was complete resolution of FI (≥ 3 variables resolved) within 24-h and secondary end-points included resolution within 72-h and survival at 7-days. Results: Of the 1030 ICU patients, 201 (19.5%) developed FI and 83 patients were randomized. Baseline parameters between the groups were comparable. Complete resolution at 24-h was higher in Gr.A (7.14%) and B (22.2%) than C (0%, p = 0.017). Overall, 58 (69.9%) patients achieved resolution within 72 h, more with metoclopramide (n = 24, 85.7%) and erythromycin (n = 25, 92.6%) than with placebo (n = 9, 32.1%, p < 0.001). The 7-day survival was better in patients who achieved resolution within 72-h (65.5 vs. 36%, p = 0.011) than non-responders. High lactate (OR-3.32, CI-1.45–7.70, p = 0.005), shock at baseline (OR-6.34, CI-1.67–24.1, p = 0.007) and resolution of FI within 72 h (OR-0.11, CI, 0.03–0.51, p = 0.04) predicted 7-day mortality. Conclusions: FI is common in critically-ill cirrhosis patients and non-resolution carries high mortality. Early recognition and treatment with prokinetics is recommended to improve short-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease of the esophagus characterized by the regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus, causing troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Among patients with GERD, around 30% of patients have visible mucosal damage, while 70% have normal esophageal mucosa. Accordingly, the optimal pharmacological treatment of GERD should address different disease manifestations, including symptoms, the mucosal damage when present, and possible chronic complications, including strictures, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma., Areas Covered: Available medical treatments for GERD include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs), histamine receptor antagonists (H2-RAs), prokinetics, and mucosal protectants, such as alginates, hyaluronic acid/chondroitin-sulfate, and poliprotect. Each compound has its own advantages and disadvantages, and knowledge of expected benefits and tips for their use is paramount for the success of treatment. In addition, the appropriateness of indications for initiating treatment is also crucial to achieve positive results when managing GERD patients., Expert Opinion: PPIs, PCABs, H2-RAs, prokinetics, and mucosal protectants can all be used in patients with GERD, but careful assessment of patients' characteristics as well as advantages and disadvantages of each therapeutic compound is essential to ensure successful treatment of GERD.

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) has revolutionized the treatment of erosive esophagitis (EE) in the past few decades. However, roughly 30-40% of the patients, especially those with severe EE (Los Angeles Grade C/D), remain poorly responsive to this medication. Novel drugs have been formulated and/or repurposed to address this problem., Areas Covered: This review highlights novel drugs that have been investigated for use in EE, such as mucosal protectants, prokinetics, transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) reducers, novel PPIs, and the new potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB). Studies have demonstrated that PCAB has promising results (efficacy and safety) compared to PPI for the healing of EE, especially in severe diseases., Expert Opinion: PCAB has gained interest in recent years, with pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties surpassing PPI. Although recent data on PCABs, which comprised mainly of Vonoprazan, have shown promising results, more randomized controlled trials for other PCAB drugs are needed to elucidate and confirm the superiority of this drug class to PPI, the current first-line treatment of EE.

Gabrio Bassotti,1 Paolo Usai Satta,2 Massimo Bellini3 1Gastroenterology & Hepatology Section, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy; 2Gastrointestinal Unit, “G. Brotzu” Hospital, Cagliari, Italy; 3Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyCorrespondence: Gabrio BassottiClinica di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Piazzale Menghini, 1, San Sisto (Perugia), 06156, ItalyEmail gabassot@tin.itAbstract: Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) is a common functional bowel disorder characterized by difficult, infrequent, and/or incomplete defecation. It has a great impact on the quality of life and on health care system and represents a heavy economic burden. The diagnosis is based on symptoms, classified by the Rome IV criteria. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current therapeutic guidelines for adult CIC and highlight new emerging treatments. In detail, European, French, Spanish and Korean guidelines have been identified and compared. Osmotic laxatives, and in particular polyethylene glycol, represent the first-line therapeutic approach. Stimulant laxatives are recommended as a second-line therapy. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is recommended in patients with ano-rectal dyssynergia. In patients who fail to improve with pharmacological therapies sacral nerve stimulation is considered as last chance before surgery. Surgical approach has however limited indications in selected cases. Inertia coli refractory to any approach and obstructed defecation are two subtypes which can benefit from surgery. Among emerging agents, prucalopride, a prokinetic agent, is recommended as a second-line treatment in refractory CIC patients. In addition, the secretagogues linaclotide and plecanatide and the bile acid transported inhibitor elobixibat can be effective in patients not responsive to a second-line therapeutic regimen, although they are not worldwide commercially available.Keywords: chronic idiopathic constipation, guidelines, osmotic laxatives, pelvic floor rehabilitation, prokinetics, secretagogues

Introduction. Chronic gastritis is one of the most common problems in gastroenterology and general medical practice. In this study, we tried to analyze the actions of therapists in relation to patients with symptoms of dyspepsia, to assess how different symptom complex affects the choice of therapy and the diagnostics.Aim. Identifying the process of a preliminary diagnosis by symptoms, determining the ability of physicians to differentiate clinical syndromes, and determining the approaches to empirical therapy at first visit and following the “test and treat” strategy aimed at identifying the H. pylori infection.Materials and methods. The study was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-assisted Web Interview) method. Each physician who agreed to participate in the study received a link to take the survey and independently entered the answers to the questions formulated by the researcher. The descriptions of three profiles of adult patients with suspected gastritis diagnosis who applied for the first time were suggested: 1) a patient with a pain syndrome and dyspepsia symptoms; 2) a patient with dyspepsia symptoms; 3) a patient with a pain syndrome.Results. The study involved 205 physicians from 33 cities of Russia. The most commonly assumed diagnosis was gastritis: 50% of responders suggested it for patient 1, 51% – for patient 2, and 40% – for patient 3. Despite the unambiguous description of the delayed motility symptoms in patients 1 and 2, the most commonly assumed diagnoses did not reflect the presence of a problem. At the same time, physicians did not conduct diagnostic tests for H. pylori infection in case of patients 1 and 3 with obvious symptoms of gastritis. In case of infection, physicians suggest prescribing eradication drugs to each patient, and the most popular pharmacological group suggested were PPIs (91%). However, every tenth physician suggested eradication without PPIs.Conclusion. The results of the survey indicate a lack of awareness among therapists about the symptoms of delayed motility. This leads to the symptomatic pharmacotherapy, which does not provide the rupture of pathogenetic mechanisms

The review article describes the epidemiology, clinical picture, pathogenesis, approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic gastritis and functional dyspepsia. Chronic gastritis is an unreasonably common diagnosis in our clinical practice, which is diagnosed in patients with disturbing dyspeptic complaints. According to the agreement documents, chronic gastritis is primarily a morphological concept. Chronic gastritis has no pathognomonic clinical signs and should be diagnosed during the histological examination of the gastric mucosa. Functional dyspepsia is a diagnosis that reflects the presence of a certain symptom complex (pain or burning sensation in the epigastrium, a feeling of fullness or early satiety) in the absence of diseases that could explain the symptoms. Secondary dyspepsia is diagnosed in patients with organic diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, metabolic or systemic diseases that cause dyspeptic syndrome. In the process of examining a patient with disturbing dyspeptic complaints, it is advisable for the doctor to use the diagnosis “unspecified dyspepsia” – a preliminary diagnosis before laboratory and instrumental examination aimed at identifying the cause of the dyspeptic syndrome. Dyspepsia associated with H. pylori is diagnosed in patients with H. pylori infection. The diagnosis is revised over time and is competent if complaints have been relieved within 6 months after effective H. pylori eradication.The main drugs for the treatment of patients with dyspeptic complaints are proton pump inhibitors and prokinetics. Omeprazole with domperidone sustained release (SR) in a fixed dose combination is characterized by optimal efficacy and a good safety profile in patients with both functional and secondary dyspepsia and ensures a high level of treatment adherence.

The definition of gastritis is based on the histological features of the gastric mucosa. This is not the erythema observed during gastroscopy, and there are no specific clinical manifestations or symptoms that determine it. The modern classification of gastritis is based on time (acute and chronic), histological features, anatomical distribution and the main pathological mechanisms. Acute gastritis will develop into chronic if left untreated. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the most common cause of gastritis worldwide. However, from 60 to 70% H. pylori-negative subjects with functional dyspepsia or non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux were also found to have gastritis. H. pylori-negative gastritis is considered when a person meets all four of these criteria: negative triple staining of biopsies of the gastric mucosa, no history of treatment of H. pylori. In these patients, the cause of gastritis may be associated with tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and / or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or steroids. Other causes of gastritis include autoimmune gastritis associated with antibodies of serum anti-parietal and anti-internal factor; organisms other than H. pylori, such as Mycobacterium avium intracellulare, Herpes simplex and Cytomegalovirus; gastritis caused by acid reflux; Rare causes of gastritis include collagen gastritis, sarcoidosis, eosinophilic gastritis and lymphocytic gastritis. The clinical picture, laboratory studies, gastroscopy, as well as histological and microbiological examination of tissue biopsies are important for the diagnosis of gastritis and its causes. Treatment of gastritis caused by H. pylori leads to the rapid disappearance of polymorphic-nuclear infiltration and a decrease in chronic inflammatory infiltrate with gradual normalization of the mucous membrane. Other types of gastritis should be treated based on their etiology.

Functional dyspepsia is one of the most common functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, which resulted from impaired motor skills, visceral hypersensitivity, increased mucosal permeability, disorders of the autonomic nervous system, etc. There is no specific therapy for this disease, which often leads to the irrational use of various groups of drugs. Drug therapy is recommended only during periods of symptoms. The main options of pharmacotherapy include the use of proton pump inhibitors, phytotherapeutic drugs, eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori. Against the background of possible motor disorders, prokinetics are also one of the possible treatment options, but cisapride has long been withdrawn from sale due to cardiotoxicity, the use of domperidone and metoclopramide is limited due to side effects, especially with long-term therapy, so currently the only prokinetic that can be used in everyday clinical practice is itopride. In refractory cases, tricyclic antidepressants and psychotherapeutic approaches are another effective treatment option.

The article presents a clinical case of a 23-year-old patient with an extremely severe congenital form of chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction coupled with a neuromyopathy,colon malrotation, malabsorption, bacterial overgrowth syndrome, cholelithiasis and gastrostasis, which excluded bowel transplantation. Long-term treatment in the intensive care unit with combined, mainly parenteral nutrition for 6 months, using antibiotics, prokinetics, intestinal decompression allowed to achieve partial stabilization of the patients condition and transfer to home treatment with the continuation of adequate complex therapy.

Abstract Background Bacterial translocation is considered the pathophysiological hallmark in the development of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Prokinetics can increase gastrointestinal (GIT) motility, reduce small bowel transit time, decrease bacterial translocation, and the possibility of SBP. The aim of this work was to compare the effectiveness and safety of itopride and norfloxacin versus norfloxacin only in secondary prophylaxis for cirrhotic ascitic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Results Regarding the baseline clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations, there was no significant difference between both groups. The incidence of a recurrent SBP in group I, who had received itopride plus norfloxacin, reduced with a significant difference than other group II (P=0.018). The median time for recurrence of SBP was highly longer in group I than group II with a significant difference (P=0.042). Conclusions The combined usage of itopride with norfloxacin in patients with cirrhosis and ascites can decrease the occurrence of a recurrent SBP and significantly improve the survival of patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04161768 .

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are baseline drugs for induction and maintenance of remission in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). PPIs have proven to be highly effective in healing esophageal mucosal lesions and relieving the symptoms of the disease in most cases. However, according to the literature data, the incidence rate of clinical ineffectiveness of PPIs in the form of partial or complete persistence of current symptoms during administration of standard doses of PPIs ranges from 10 to 40%. Optimization of GERD therapy in PPI refractory patients is a significant challenge. In most cases, experts advise to increase a dose / dosage frequency of PPIs, switch to CYP2C19-independent PPIs (rabeprazole, esomeprazole, dexlansoprazole), add an esophagoprotective or promotility agents to therapy. At the same time, these recommendations have a limited effect in some patients, which opens up opportunities for looking for new solutions related to the optimization of GERD therapy. Today there is growing evidence of the relevance of the role of disruption of the cytoprotective and barrier properties of the esophageal mucosa in the genesis of GERD and the formation of refractoriness. Intercellular contacts ensure the integrity of the barrier function of the esophageal mucosa to protect it from various exogenous intraluminal substances with detergent properties. Acid-peptic attack in patients with GERD leads to alteration of the expression of some tight junction proteins in epithelial cells of the esophageal mucosa. The latter leads to increased mucosal permeability, which facilitates the penetration of hydrogen ions and other substances into the submucosal layer, where they stimulate the terminals of nerve fibers playing a role in the induction and persistence of the symptoms of the disease. The above evidence brought up to date the effectiveness study of the cytoprotective drugs with tropism to the gastrointestinal tract, as part of the combination therapy of GERD.

Abstract Background Motility disorders of upper gastrointestinal tract are common in critical illness and associated with significant clinical consequences. However, detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses of esophageal motor functions are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the key features of esophageal motility functions using high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) and to evaluate an objective link between esophageal motor patterns, gastric emptying, and gastroesophageal reflux. We also studied the prokinetic effects of metoclopramide. Methods We prospectively performed HRIM for 16 critically ill hemodynamically stable patients. Patients were included if they had low gastric volume (LGV; 500 mL/24 h, n = 8). The HRIM data were collected for 5 h with intravenous metoclopramide administration (10 mg) after the first 2 h. Results The findings were grossly abnormal for all critically ill patients. The esophageal contraction vigor was markedly increased, indicating prevailing hypercontractile esophagus. Ineffective propulsive force was observed for 73% of esophageal activities. Panesophageal pressurization was the most common pressurization pattern (64%). Gastroesophageal reflux predominantly occurred with transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. The common features of the LGV group were a hyperreactive pattern, esophagogastric outflow obstruction, and frequent reflux. Ineffective motility with reduced lower esophageal sphincter tone, and paradoxically fewer reflux episodes, was common in the HGV group. Metoclopramide administration reduced the number of esophageal activities but did not affect the number of reflux episodes in either group. Conclusion All critically ill patients had major esophageal motility abnormalities, and motility patterns varied according to gastric emptying status. Well-preserved gastric emptying and maintained esophagogastric barrier functions did not eliminate reflux. Metoclopramide failed to reduce the number of reflux episodes regardless of gastric emptying status. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN14399966. Registered 3.9.2020, retrospectively registered. https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14399966 .

The use of domperidone (DOM) for gastroparesis (GP) remains controversial and limited. We aimed to present outcomes of DOM therapy for treatment of patients participating in the multicenter National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium (GpCRC) Registries (GpR). The GpCRC cohort consisted of patients with GP (75%) and with GP-like symptoms but with normal gastric emptying (25%). The DOM group initiated therapy during the 96 weeks of enrollment in GpR1 and GpR2. Patients who had previously taken or who were on DOM therapy at enrollment were excluded from this analysis. The control group did not use domperidone (non-DOM group) before or after enrollment. The following outcome measures were identified: change from baseline in Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index total score, with 3 subscales, plus Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders–Quality of Life scores. Overall, of 748 patients, 181 (24%) were in the DOM group, whereas 567 were in the non-DOM group. Sixty-three percent of participants had idiopathic GP. At baseline, DOM patients compared with non-DOM patients were significantly younger, had lower body mass index, non-Hispanic ethnicity, a higher annual household income, lower narcotic utilization, lower supplemental and complimentary medication use, and were more likely to have delayed gastric emptying time, as well as worse nausea and fullness scores. Compared with non-DOM patients, DOM patients experienced moderate but significantly more improvement in GP outcome measures: Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index total score (P =.003), nausea (P =.003), and fullness subscales (P =.005), upper abdominal pain score (P =.04), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease score (P =.05), and Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders–Quality of Life score (P =.05). Utilizing the method of pragmatic modeling to evaluate long-term treatment of GP in a large GpCRC database, DOM treatment resulted in moderately but significantly improved GP. This project was based on data generated by 2 GpCRC Registry studies recognized under the Clinicaltrial.gov numbers: NCT00398801 and NCT01696747 symptoms compared with a group receiving standard-of-care but not DOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a disorder that presents with chronic dyspepsia, which is not only very common but also highly affects quality of life of the patients. In Japan, FD became a disease name for national insurance in 2013, and has been gradually recognized, though still not satisfactory. Following the revision policy of Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE), the first version of FD guideline was revised this time. Method: Like previously, the guideline was created by the GRADE (grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation) system, but this time, the questions were classified to background questions (BQs, 24 already clarified issues), future research questions (FRQs, 9 issues cannot be addressed with insufficient evidence), and 7 clinical questions that are mainly associated with treatment. Results and Conclusion: These revised guidelines have two major features. The first is the new position of endoscopy in the flow of FD diagnosis. While endoscopy was required to all cases for diagnosis of FD, the revised guidelines specify the necessity of endoscopy only in cases where organic disease is suspected. The second feature is that the drug treatment options have been changed to reflect the latest evidence. The first-line treatment includes gastric acid-secretion inhibitors, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (acotiamide, a prokinetic agent), and Japanese herbal medicine (rikkunshito). The second-line treatment includes anxiolytics /antidepressant, prokinetics other than acotiamide (dopamine receptor antagonists, 5-HT4 receptor agonists), and Japanese herbal medicines other than rikkunshito. The patients not responding to these treatment regimens are regarded as refractory FD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Constipation is a common problem in gastroenterological practice. The prevalence of constipation is about 16%. Constipation can be primary or secondary. Summary: The diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with constipation begins with a detailed history and physical examination. In selected cases, the use of additional diagnostic procedures is very important. This includes the use of laboratory, endoscopic, and radiological examinations, as well as advanced physiological testing (anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, colonic transit studies, and defecography). Constipation therapy can be both nonoperative and operative. Nonoperative therapy includes the application of a lifestyle measures, pharmacotherapy and biofeedback therapy. Key Messages: Two key things when taking a medical history and physical examination are to rule out the existence of alarm symptoms/signs and to rule out secondary constipation (primarily drug-induced). Therapy begins with lifestyle modification, and in case of failure, bulk or osmotic laxatives are used. In case of failure, the use of lubiprostone is indicated, as well as linaclotide. Surgical treatment of constipation is reserved for cases of refractory constipation, with delayed intestinal transit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction a rare violation of the motor skills of the gastrointestinal complex, similar to mechanical obstruction, but without a mechanical obstacle. The development of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is caused by a disturbance on the part of the smooth muscles and the nervous system of the gastrointestinal system. Common symptoms include constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating. Violation of peristalsis leads to food stagnation in the hinges of the small intestine, their dilation, the development of bacterial insemination syndrome. Eating disorders, bacterial contamination syndrome (CDDs) lead to impaired suction syndrome, cahexia. Treatment is aimed at providing adequate nutrition, the use of drugs that activate motor skills, suppress the growth of microbes in the small intestine, the implementation of intestinal decompression. Surgical treatment: resection of the affected segment of the gut. In the refractory course of the disease intestinal transplantation.

The human gut microbiome is composed of communities of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Bacteria live in each part of digestive tract, increasing their density and changing composition in distal parts. The composition of gut microbiome mainly depends on method of childbirth, age, gender, diet, stress, infections, alcohol intake, diurnal variation, smoking, drugs (antibiotics), physical activity. Dysbiosis is defined as an imbalance or maladaptation in the gut microbial community. This imbalance favors many pathological states and it could be due to some diseases. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become increasingly common in parallel with the increasing prevalence of obesity and other components of the metabolic syndrome. In year 2020, a more comprehensive new definition of NAFLD was proposed - fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction (MAFLD). NAFLD/MALFD will become the major form of chronic liver disease in adults and children and could become the leading indication for liver transplantation within a decade. An increased level of Bacteroidetes and decreased level of Firmicutes is observed in fatty liver disease. This imbalance favors the collection of energy and insulin resistance. The prevention and treatment of dysbiosis in NAFLD/MAFLD is essential. The purpose of this review is an understanding related to the dysbiosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in order to help physicians of different specialties in their clinical practice because of growing in population patients with metabolic syndrome and liver steatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastroparesis is a gastrointestinal motility disorder characterized by nausea, vomiting, early satiation, postprandial fullness, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. The diagnosis requires documented delay in gastric emptying with an optimal test such as scintigraphy or stable isotope gastric emptying breath test in the absence of mechanical obstruction. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of gastroparesis are multifactorial, including antroduodenal hypomotility, pylorospasm, impaired gastric accommodation, and visceral hypersensitivity. The etiologies of gastroparesis are broad, but the most common subtypes are idiopathic, diabetic, and postsurgical. Less frequent etiologies are neurodegenerative disorder (Parkinson disease), myopathies (scleroderma, amyloidosis), and neoplastic syndrome. Symptoms of gastroparesis can be refractory and challenging to manage, leading to reduced quality of life and significant health care expenditure. This article introduces the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and differential diagnoses of gastroparesis, followed by a focused discussion on its management, including nutritional support, prokinetic and antiemetic agents, and emerging interventions directed at the pylorus. Robust sham-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy. A multidisciplinary approach with individualized strategies based on characterization of the pathophysiology is deemed necessary to enhance clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of current data suggests that the attention to the problem of dyspepsia is huge. The definition of functional dyspepsia was given in the Rome IV criteria, according to which two of its main options are distinguished – epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome. The term “uninvestigated dyspepsia” is important, which means the presence of dyspepsia symptoms in patients who have not performed diagnostic procedures to identify the organic causes of the pathology. The prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia in the world is about 21%. The prevalence of functional dyspepsia is significantly lower than the prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia and fluctuates around 10%. The risk factors for dyspepsia are usually tobacco smoking, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or aspirin, and Helicobacter pylori infection. The concept of the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia undergoes significant changes. By analogy with the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome, lesions of the relationship between the modulation of the cerebral cortex and the signal system of the gastroduodenal zone, the association of sluggish immune inflammation in the duodenum with motility and sensory activity of the stomach are most actively studied. The treatment of functional dyspepsia is a complex problem and changes after new ideas about its pathogenesis. Modern meta-analyzes have made it possible to expand the indications for the proton pump inhibitors administration, which can be actively used not only for the treatment of epigastric pain syndrome, but also for postprandial distress syndrome. Along with the required Helicobacter pylori eradication, there are reasons for the use of probiotics and antibiotics for the dyspepsia treatment.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is one of the dysregulatory lesions of the upper digestive tract. This syndrome has fairly well-defined clinical manifestations that include borderline psychopathological disorders. Its diagnosis becomes a method for ruling out organic gastrointestinal and mental illnesses. Treatment for FD is complex and includes a behavioral component, prokinetics, myotropic spasmolytics, antisecretory drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants. The efficiency of therapy directly depends on a physician's ability to choose an individualized regimen.

Aim. To present the materials of an Expert Council, which was held on September 23, 2019 in Istanbul (Turkey) under the auspices of a World Gastroenterology Organisation congress and the support of the Abbott company.General provisions. During the work of the Expert Council, the role of motility disorders of the stomach and duodenum, intestines, gall bladder and the sphincter of Oddi in the development of functional diseases of the digestive system, such as functional dyspepsia (FD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), biliary dyskinesia (BD) was discussed, and the effectiveness of antispasmodics and prokinetics in their treatment was shown. At the same time, the advantages of the mebeverin antispasmodic drug, as well as the high efficiency and safety of the itopride hydrochloride prokinetic drug were noted. It is emphasized that, at the stage of a diagnostic search in the absence of “alarm symptoms” in patients with suspected FD, IBS, and BD, these drugs can be prescribed empirically.Conclusions. When selecting pharmacotherapy for patients with motor impairment, it is extremely important to consider the nature of these disorders. The use of modern medical preparations, which are characterized by a high level of safety and the targeted action towards a specific motility disorder, allows optimal therapy results to be achieved with minimal risks for the patient.