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Introduction: Chronic constipation (CC) is a highly prevalent functional bowel disorder with low treatment satisfaction and impaired quality of life (QOL). However, physicians tend to emphasize only "stool frequency," and relationship between "stool form" and QOL remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the actual situation of CC treatment in Japan and elucidate the relationship between stool form and QOL in patients with CC. Methods: We conducted an online questionnaire survey in September 2018 targeting Japanese adult patients already diagnosed with CC and taking prescribed drugs. Assessments included the type of drug treatment, treatment duration, frequency of drug use, frequency of bowel movements (BMs), Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS), and Japanese version of the Patient Assessment of Constipation QOL (PAC-QOL) scores. Relationship between BSFS and Japanese PAC-QOL scores was analyzed, and most important factor that influences QOL was investigated. Results: A total of 614 subjects were enrolled. Of these, 398 (64.8%) regularly used magnesium oxide and 162 (26.4%) used stimulant laxative, especially 81 (50.0%) used stimulant laxative "everyday." Mean score of the PAC-QOL was 1.29 ± 0.74, and the lowest score (highest QOL) of 0.94 ± 0.61 was observed in BSFS type 4. Significant difference was seen between BSFS type 4 and all the other types except type 7. Multivariate analysis revealed that normal stool form (BSFS type 4) and BMs ≥3/week are strongly related to decreases of PAC-COL score. In BSFS types 6 and 7, 36% of individuals experienced self-discontinuation of prescribed drugs and 53% self-reduced drug intake because of excessive effects. Conclusions: Stool form and frequency of BMs are relevant to QOL, especially normal stool form (BSFS type 4) is important for improving the QOL in patients with constipation. Physicians should focus on "stool form" and reconsider the prescription especially in BSFS types 6–7 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Small intestinal toxicity of low-dose aspirin remains unclear. The purpose of this capsule endoscopy study was to assess the incidence of small bowel injury in healthy volunteers treated with short-term low-dose aspirin. Methods: Healthy subjects were randomly assigned to receive low-dose aspirin for 14 days (Aspirin group) or no drugs for 14 days (Control group). The two treatment occasions were separated by a washout period of at least 4 weeks. All subjects underwent capsule endoscopy at the end of each treatment period. Results: After 2 weeks of treatment, the percentages of subjects with small bowel pathology were 80% in the Aspirin group compared with 20% in the Control group (p = 0.023). The incidence of small bowel mucosal breaks in the Aspirin group was higher than that in the Control group, although the difference was not significant (30 vs. 0%; p = 0.210). Conclusions: This is the first pilot study using capsule endoscopy to report on the relation between small bowel injury and low-dose aspirin. Among the healthy subjects, the short-term administration of low-dose aspirin was associated with a mild mucosal inflammation of the small bowel. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No abstract available Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor about the relationship between ulcerative colitis and proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to an article on the use of colonoscopic reduction as a course of treatment for recurrent sigmoid volvulus.

A letter to the editor is presented about the significance of multidetector computed tomography in the diagnosis of a small intestinal tumor.

A letter to the editor is presented regarding a 64-year-old man who was scheduled for a colon polyp resection.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Colonic Ulcers in a Patient Taking Low-Dose Aspirin."

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Preparation with Oral Tablets of Sodium Phosphate (Visceral®) is Suitable for Colonoscopy but Not for Colonoscopy with Upper Endoscopy."

A letter to the editor about severe large-intestine involvement in adult-onset Henoch-Sch&oml;nlein purpura is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented about a 78-year-old woman who was found to have impacted fecal ball with calcification.

A response by Takamitsu Sato et al to a letter to the editor about their article "Protein-Losing Gastroenteropathy in a Patient with Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris" in the May 18, 2007 issue is presented.

A response by Hitomi Sakai et al to a letter to the editor about their article "Colocutaneous Fistula after Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy" in the June 26, 2007 issue is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented about cases of pyloduodenal peptic stenosis in which the gastric emptying evaluation using the 13C continuous breath test was effective.