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Abstract Background Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation (IBS-C) is a complex disorder with gastrointestinal and nervous system components. The study aim was to assess the economic burden of moderate to severe IBS-C in six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK). Methods An observational, one year retrospective-prospective (6 months each) study of patients diagnosed in the last five years with IBS-C (Rome III criteria) and moderate to severe disease at inclusion (IBS Symptom Severity Scale score ≥ 175). The primary objective was to assess the direct cost to European healthcare systems. Results Five hundred twenty-five patients were included, 60% (range: 43.1–78.8%) suffered from severe IBS-C. During follow-up 11.1–24.0% of patients had a hospitalisation/emergency room (ER) visit, median stay range: 1.5–12.0 days and 41.1–90.4% took prescription drugs for IBS-C. 21.4–50.8% of employed patients took sick leave (mean: 11.6–64.1 days). The mean annual direct cost to the healthcare systems was €937.1- €2108.0. The total direct cost (combined costs to healthcare systems and patient) for IBS-C was €1421.7–€2487.1. Conclusions IBS-C is not a life-threatening condition; however, it has large impact on healthcare systems and society. Direct and indirect costs for moderate to severe IBS-C were high with the largest direct cost driver being hospitalisations/ER visits.

Abstract Background and aims Evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests that interactions among the brain, gut, and microbiota may affect the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As disruptions in central and peripheral serotonergic signaling pathways have been found in patients with IBS, we explored the hypothesis that the abundance of serotonin-modulating microbes of the order Clostridiales is associated with functional connectivity of somatosensory brain regions and gastrointestinal (GI) sensorimotor function. Methods We performed a prospective study of 65 patients with IBS and 21 healthy individuals (controls) recruited from 2011 through 2013 at a secondary/tertiary care outpatient clinic in Sweden. Study participants underwent functional brain imaging, rectal balloon distension, a nutrient and lactulose challenge test, and assessment of oroanal transit time within a month. They also submitted stool samples, which were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. A tripartite network analysis based on graph theory was used to investigate the interactions among bacteria in the order Clostridiales, connectivity of brain regions in the somatosensory network, and GI sensorimotor function. Results We found associations between GI sensorimotor function and gut microbes in stool samples from controls, but not in samples from IBS patients. The largest differences between controls and patients with IBS were observed in the Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, Clostridium XIVa, and Coprococcus subnetworks. We found connectivity of subcortical (thalamus, caudate, and putamen) and cortical (primary and secondary somatosensory cortices) regions to be involved in mediating interactions among these networks. Conclusions In a comparison of patients with IBS and controls, we observed disruptions in the interactions between the brain, gut, and gut microbial metabolites in patients with IBS—these involve mainly subcortical but also cortical regions of brain. These disruptions may contribute to altered perception of pain in patients with IBS and may be mediated by microbial modulation of the gut serotonergic system.

Background: Whether patients with inactive ulcerative colitis (UC) have symptoms compatible with functional bowel disorders (FBDs) other than irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unclear. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and burden of these symptoms and determine impact on the UC course. Methods: We used Mayo score, sigmoidoscopy and calprotectin (f-cal) to define remission in 293 UC patients. Presence of symptoms compatible with FBD, severity of gastrointestinal, extraintestinal and psychological symptoms, stress levels and quality of life (QoL) were measured with validated questionnaires. At 1 year later, remission was determined by modified Mayo score and f-cal in 171 of these patients. They completed the same questionnaires again. Results: A total of 18% of remission patients had symptoms compatible with FBD other than IBS, and 45% subthreshold symptoms compatible with FBD. The total burden of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with symptoms compatible with FBD was higher than in patients without FBD ( p < 0.001), which had negative impact on QoL ( p = 0.02). These symptoms were not correlated with psychological distress, systemic immune activity or subclinical colonic inflammation and were not a risk factor for UC relapse during follow up. Conclusion: Symptoms compatible with FBD other than IBS are common during UC remission influencing patients’ QoL but not the UC course.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common and often chronic functional bowel disorder that can cause severe disruption of daily functioning in those affected, with subsequent high healthcare utilization and work absenteeism. Nurses represent an underutilized group in the current management of irritable bowel syndrome. The aim of this study was to systematically develop a person-centered support intervention in irritable bowel syndrome and evaluate this in a pilot study. The development followed the revised framework for complex interventions from the Medical Research Council and involved literature reviews and multiprofessional expert groups. The intervention was then tested in a pilot study including 17 patients and evaluated through validated questionnaires measuring irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity, gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, and self-efficacy as well as through interviews. There was a significant improvement in irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity between baseline and follow-up, but not for self-efficacy or gastrointestinal-specific anxiety. The patients' perceptions of participating in the intervention were positive and induced a learning process; they were able to form a supportive relationship with the nurse and their ability to self-manage improved. The promising results from this small pilot study in terms of feasibility, potential efficacy, and the patients' positive feedback make this intervention a suitable candidate for a larger controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to explore experiences of undergoing a diagnostic workup in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) at a unit for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Research has been sparse in addressing such experiences and the impact on well-being. Patients with IBS were invited to perform a workup of gastrointestinal tests. Of 120 patients who completed the tests, 20 were invited for an interview. Analysis of interviews was conducted through interpretative phenomenological analysis. One master theme emerged: validation of IBS experience inferred from three subthemes: the duality of suffering in IBS, coping with inflicted discomfort and pain, and capacity for resilience.Patients reported long-term suffering from symptoms including poor management within the healthcare organization. Despite inconvenience associated with the tests, patients expressed appreciation for professional attributes such as attentiveness that were perceived as a sense of being cared for and seen as a "person." During the workup, patients acquired greater knowledge of what IBS means, including knowledge about their own body functions and experienced relief that symptoms were not caused by any "dangerous" disease. Validation of IBS experience surfaced in the data implying that in such context, patients with IBS appear to find personal solutions to cope with everyday experiences and enhance autonomy.