A Pharmacy-based Observational Study to Learn More About Iberogast Advance in the Real-world Setting...
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional DyspepsiaIrritable Bowel Syndrome1 moreThis is an observational study in which data from people with functional gastrointestinal disorders who decide on their own or by recommendation of their doctors or pharmacists to take Iberogast Advance are collected and studied. In observational studies, only observations are made without specified advice or interventions. Functional stomach and bowel (or gastrointestinal) disorders are conditions in which the functionality of the gut, mainly the gut muscles or the gut/brain axis, is disturbed. Functional stomach and bowel disorders cause symptoms like heartburn, cramps and pain of the upper and middle part of the belly, also known as functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS affects predominantly the lower digestive system and causes symptoms like pain of the belly, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Iberogast Advance is already available in German pharmacies without prescription for patients with gastrointestinal disorders such as FD and IBS. It contains herb extracts that work against inflammation, are calming, and protect the mucosa (innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract). Earlier controlled studies with Iberogast Advance have shown how well it works and how it affects the body. Since Iberogast Advance is only available since October 2020, there is no information on its use in the real-world setting yet. Therefore, the study researchers want to collect data on the use of Iberogast Advance in the real-world setting. To do this, people with long-term and repeated functional gastrointestinal symptoms who purchase Iberogast Advance from participating pharmacies across Germany will be asked to fill out a questionnaire optionally covering 6 weeks of treatment. The participants will take Iberogast Advance as recommended in the product information. The main purpose of this study is to see how well Iberogast Advance works and is perceived in the real-world setting. Participants will record how they experience a change of their gastrointestinal symptoms (assessed single-symptom-based) from start and during 6 weeks of treatment. Researchers will then compare the differences and analyze treatment effects. The researchers will additionally collect information on usage behavior, characteristics of the patients, their symptoms, tolerability and their satisfaction with Iberogast Advance. There will be no required tests or visits with a study doctor in this study. The researchers will collect the results of the patient questionnaires from Jun 2022 to January 2023.
Assessment of GI Function to a Large Test Meal by Non-invasive Imaging
Functional DyspepsiaDyspeptic symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and nausea after a meal are common; however the cause of these problems in many patients is often unclear despite medical investigation. This is because "dyspeptic symptoms" are only rarely related to acid reflux, stomach ulcers or cancer that can be diagnosed by endoscopy. Rather, the cause is abnormal stomach function, so-called "functional dyspepsia", a condition in which the digestive system does not function normally after a meal. Gastric scintigraphy is the standard investigation of stomach function in patients with this condition. It involves eating a small test meal that includes a tiny dose of radioactive material so that the movement of food can be visualised as it empties from the stomach. An important limitation of this approach is that symptoms are rarely caused and delayed emptying after a small meal is present only in a minority of patients and, thus, the ability of this investigation to explain the cause of symptoms or guide medical treatment is limited. This research project is designed to compare three new investigations of stomach function using a relatively large meal. This information will help to explain the causes of symptoms after a meal. The investigations to be tested include: (1) Nutrient Drink Test, (2) Gastric Scintigraphy and (3) Magnetic Resonance Imaging. All three tests are safe, easy to perform and non-invasive (i.e. do not involve inserting catheters through the nose and into the stomach or taking blood). The results should provide more useful information to doctors looking after patients with dyspeptic symptoms. This study will compare test results from healthy volunteers, with patients attending clinic for investigation of dyspeptic symptoms. The aim is to document abnormal function of the stomach and intestines and to identify the causes of dyspeptic symptoms after a meal.
Physiological Response and Visual Attention to Visual Food Images in Healthy Subjects and in Functional...
Functional DyspepsiaIn functional dyspepsia (FD), abnormal cognitive and emotional changes such increased sensitization, anxiety, and depression scores have been reported in addition to the peripheral changes in gastrointestinal tract functions. In this study, investigators will evaluate the activity of autonomic nervous system, emotional response, and visual attention to food and non-food images in 30 male and female FD patients and 30 age/gender-matched healthy volunteers. These data will provide a new finding of the influence of impaired cognitive processing of food on symptom generation in functional gastrointestinal disorder patients.
SIBO, Immune Activation, and FGIDs in Children
Small Intestinal Bacterial OvergrowthIrritable Bowel Syndrome2 morePURPOSE: This study will evaluate the relationships between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), immune activation, inflammation, and symptoms in pediatric abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), i.e., irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), & functional abdominal pain (FAP), to better understand the role of SIBO in their pathogenesis. DESIGN & PROCEDURES: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: Patients followed at the UT-Houston Pediatric GI clinic, aged 4-17 years, undergoing endoscopic evaluation of abdominal pain, meeting Rome III diagnostic criteria for IBS, FD, or FAP, without evidence of an organic etiology of abdominal pain upon routine laboratory, radiologic, endoscopic, histologic evaluation. Sample Size: At least 30 patients, ≥ 15 with SIBO (i.e., positive small bowel aspirate culture and/or glucose breath hydrogen test), and ≥15 without SIBO. Sample Materials: Small bowel biopsies and aspirates, serum, breath samples, symptom questionnaire responses. Measures: 1) Immune activation & inflammation - measured by serum cytokine levels & small intestinal tissue inflammatory cell infiltration & cytokine levels. 2) Symptoms - measured by Abdominal Pain Index, Wong-Baker FACES™ Pain Rating Scale, Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms - Rome III Version. 3) Small bowel microbiota analysis - assessed by 454 pyrosequencing. RISKS & POTENTIAL BENEFITS: Aside from the risks associated with routine endoscopy with biopsies, which would occur even without study enrollment, the risks associated with serum collection, one extra biopsy specimen collection, small bowel aspirate collection, completion of pain scales/ questionnaires, and the glucose breath hydrogen test for the purposes of the study are minimal. POTENTIAL IMPACT: This study should yield valuable information regarding the relationships between SIBO, immune activation, inflammation, and symptoms in pediatric IBS, FD, and FAP. Potential biomarkers to support the diagnosis of these FGIDs and novel targets for therapy, such as immune molecules and previously unrecognized bacterial phylotypes and species possibly contributing to disease pathogenesis, may be identified. Also, determining the reliability of the glucose breath hydrogen test vs. small bowel aspirate culture in the diagnosis of SIBO in this setting may enable the physician to avoid invasive and costly procedures in the diagnostic work-up of children with these FGIDs.
HEP-FYN 12-Years Follow-up
Peptic UlcerDyspepsia1 moreAims: Evaluate the long-term effect of screening and eradication of Helicobacter Pylori on the prevalence of dyspepsia, and, as secondary outcomes, to assess the effect on dyspepsia related health-care consumption and quality of life. To investigate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), dyspepsia and the combination of these conditions and the effect on quality of life, prognosis and dyspepsia-related health care expenditure. Methods: In 1998-99 20.000 individuals, age 40-65 years, identified by their civil registration number, were allocated by a computerized randomized procedure to HP-screening group and control group. All participants received a questionnaire at inclusion, 1-year and 5-year and now again at 12 year follow-up assessing the prevalence of dyspepsia and quality of life. In addition we will obtain information from registers on, comorbidity, use of endoscopies and prescription medication. An economic evaluation is done alongside the randomized trial. The primary unscreened group is invited to HP test (13C-urea breath-test) in order to analyze the effect of HP-screening according to HP-status Expected results: The study will provide information on the long-term effect of HP-screening and eradication in a population. The study will provide information about the long-term effect on incidence of peptic ulcer in an aging population that is likely to have an increased consumption of ASA and NSAID. Furthermore the study will generate knowledge about the long-term prognosis of dyspepsia and reflux in the population (dyspepsia and reflux. Preliminary results from the 5-yr follow-up (13) showed that is has a great influence on quality of life and the dyspepsia-related health care consumption, whether the individual has solely reflux, solely dyspepsia or a combination of both symptoms. Long-term follow-up and further analyses of these findings could have great impact on management and treatment of individuals with symptoms. It is important to focus on groups; in which the symptoms have the greatest influence on quality of life of the individual. This finding has not been displayed in other studies.
Ghrelin and Gastric Emptying in Children With Functional Dyspepsia
Functional DyspepsiaThe purpose of this research is to see if there are differences between children who have FD and children without FD in the ability of the stomach to empty food and/or in ghrelin hormone levels before and after eating. Chronic abdominal pain is the most common persistent pain condition in children and adolescents. One of the most often diagnosed types of abdominal pain is functional dyspepsia (FD). FD is abdominal pain or discomfort (e.g., nausea, bloating) in the upper abdomen that does not get better by having a bowel movement. One possible explanation for having FD is a delay in the emptying of food from the stomach, or delayed gastric (stomach) emptying. Failing to empty the stomach quickly enough may result in the feeling of being full and cause symptoms of bloating, nausea, vomiting and pain. Further, hormonal changes occur before, during, or after eating food that appear to impact stomach emptying. One of the hormones that changes with meals is called ghrelin. The relationship between ghrelin and stomach emptying needs to be explored more in children with FD. Better understanding of what causes FD symptoms may help us to improve treatment for this condition.
Evaluation of Food Hypersensitivity in Children/Adolescents With Functional Dyspepsia
DyspepsiaThe main purpose of this study is to determine if standard and investigational tests used to help diagnose and treat food allergies can provide information that will be useful in determining the cause of dyspepsia and helpful in designing a treatment plan. The study will also determine if there is a connection between positive allergy tests and inflammation in the upper abdomen.
Evaluation of the Effect of a Probiotic Supplement Upon Gastrointestinal Function
Signs and SymptomsDigestive1 moreThe purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate whether a probiotic supplement improves gastrointestinal (GI) function.
Diagnostic Value of Fecal Calprotectin in Disorders of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract
Peptic EsophagitisPeptic Ulcer3 moreFecal calprotectin is a very sensitive non-invasive inflammation marker in the detection of inflammatory bowel disease and, to a lesser degree, has also proven to be useful in adenomatous polyps, neoplasias, and infectious gastroenteritis. Elevated calprotectin levels can also be found in patients with lesion only in the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, the diagnostic value of calprotectin has never been tested in this setting. The aim of the study is therefore to determine the diagnostic value of fecal calprotectin in patients with diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Gut Hormone, Nociceptors, Neurotrophic Factors Expression in Functional Dyspepsia
Functional DyspepsiaH. Pylori InfectionThe pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia is still unclear but several peptides have been indicated in the etiological factors in FD. Ghrelin and leptin are involved in regulation of appetite and gut motility and serotonin is a typical neurotransmitter related with sensory and motor functions of gut. On the other hand, transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) has been proposed to be involved with functional gastrointestinal disorder, and expression of this receptor could be regulated by nerve growth factor (NGF) or glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The investigators aimed to determine whether expressions of ghrelin,leptin, serotonin,TRPV1,GDNF and NGF in blood or gastric mucosa of FD patients are different from those in healthy controls, and whether some changes of their expression correlate with certain dyspeptic symptoms. The investigators also investigated the effect of H. pylori infection by comparing their expressions before and one year after H. pylori eradication.