Tag Archives: irritable bowel syndrome

Brave New World: Psychotropic Manipulation & Pediatric Functional GI Disorders

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A recent review (JPGN 2014; 59: 280-87) provides helpful advice for the use of psychotropic medications in pediatric functional GI disorders.  That being said, a couple key caveats need to be stated first and foremost:

  • “A minority of psychotropic drugs has been studied in children and safety data remain inadequate.  Psychotropic drugs used for gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric patients will be off-label for the foreseeable future.”
  • “Descriptions of individual drugs in the present review are too brief to provide accurate guidance to someone who is not already familiar with them.”

Given the limited data, the authors, in my opinion, bravely state recommendations regarding these medications.  Despite their common usage, providing explicit recommendations is quite uncommon.  The title of the blog references Aldous Huxley’s book which discusses psychological manipulation.  This book in turn is titled after a line from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Act V, Scene I (from Wikipedia):

“O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,
That has such people in’s.”

Back to the review of psychotropic medications, the authors provide a rationale/pathophysiologic mechanism for the use of these drugs mainly for recurrent abdominal pain and chronic nausea/dyspepsia.  Table 1 lists the authors’ specific suggestions regarding first to fourth choices:

  • For abdominal pain, first choice was amitriptyline, followed by gabapentin, clonidine patch, and SSRI.
  • For nausea/dyspepsia,  first choice was amitriptyline, followed by mirtazapine, buspirone, and clonazepam.
  • For d-IBS,  first choice was amitriptyline, followed by alosetron [not a psychotropic], clonidine patch, and SSRI.
  • For c-IBS (along with polyethylene glycol),  first choice was imipramine, followed by lubiprostone [not a psychotropic], gabapentin, and SSRI.

Table 2 provides dosing suggestions, and common adverse effects.  For example, with amitriptyline, suggested dose is 10-50 mg qhs and “best to begin low dose…titrate up by response.” Other suggestions:

  • SSRIs: “should begin with low dose; titrate up by response.  With SSRIs, benefit is usually apparent after 4 to 6 wk.  Most GI adverse effects disappear in 1 to 2 wk.”
  • Mirtazapine: 7.5 mg dosing for sleep, 15-30 mg qAM for nausea/dyspepsia (higher dose is usually not sedating.  “Few drug interactions; safer than TCAs.” Weight gain is common.
  • Buspirone: 10-60 mg/day, divided twice daily; “may start with half dose in the morning.” Avoid grapefruit juice. Can “used alone or in combination with SSRIs or TCAs.”
  • Gabapentin (100 mg BID to 800 mg TID). “Rare adverse effects include drowsiness and blurred vision…Safe but only effective in about one-third of patients.”
  • Recommends that second-generation antipsychotics (quetiapine, risperidone, and olanzapine) be used only in collaboration with child psychiatry (Figure 2)

Additional pointers:

TCAs:“In RCTs, among children with functional abdominal pain, both amitriptyline and placebo were associated with an excellent therapeutic response.”  It is interesting to note the authors lack of critical comments regarding this statement.  “The usual dose of amitriptyline for chronic functional pain is 1 mg/kg/day up to a maximum of 50 mg/day.”

TCAs and EKGs: “at doses <1 mg/kg/day used to treat chronic pain and nausea, there have been no reports of death or cardiac arrhythmias in >60 years.  An EKG before starting a TCA is unnecessary in otherwise healthy children and adolescents, but may be advisable in those with a personal or family history of corrected QT interval prolongation or heart disease, or in children requiring a dose >50 mg/day.”

TCAs: some tricyclics may be less sedating and constipating including imipramine, doxepin, and nortriptyline.  The later two also come in liquid formulations.

SSRIs: “may be used in combination with TCAs in teens and adolescents…using them simultaneously may increase serum concentrations of both.” “In children there was a single RCT showing citalopram superior to placebo in IBS. Some clinicians obtain an EKG assessing corrected QT interval before initiating citalopram doses >20 mg daily.”

Clonidine has “improved diarrhea-predominant IBS…Common adverse effects include dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, and tiredness…checking blood pressure at each clinic visit [is recommended].” It is available as a patch (0.1-0.3 mg/wk).

Melatonin: dosed 3- to 10-mg at bedtime can promote sleep.

Take-home message: This article provides practical advice for the use of these agents.  Discussion with patients and parents regarding the role of these medications in targeting CNS arousal which perpetuates disabling chronic symptoms is crucial as well.  More studies are needed to determine conclusively their effectiveness.

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

 

IBS Subtypes in Pediatrics

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A recent study (Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 12: 1468-73) examined irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subtypes among 129 subjects ages 7 to 18 who met Pediatric Rome III IBS criteria.  These children were part of larger studies of functional gastrointestinal disorders and recruited from primary and tertiary care centers.  Participants completed pain and stool diaries.

Key finding:

  • IBS with constipation (IBS-C) was the most common subtype (58.1%); in the other categories IBS unsubtyped (IBS-U) was next at 34.1%, then IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D) at 5.4%, and least common was mixed IBS (IBS-M) at 2.3%

The authors note that in adults with IBS studies tend to yield a more even distribution among the subtypes IBS-C, IBS-D, and IBS-U along with smaller numbers in IBS-M.

Take-home message: IBS with constipation is common in pediatrics.  Among patients who have been labelled as having isolated constipation, many in fact have IBS-C and may have persistent gastrointestinal symptoms despite the use of laxatives.

Related blog post:

Mechanisms of irritable bowel syndrome | gutsandgrowth

Ondansetron for Irritable Bowel with Diarrhea?

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Briefly noted: A selected summary (Gastroenterol 2014; 147: 527-28) reviews the potential utility of ondansetron (median dose in adult participants was 4 mg) for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) based on a recent study (Link to full online journal article: Randomized Trial of Ondansetron for IBS-D in Gut).

Several limitations are discussed including patient dropout, crossover study design, and short term study (in chronic disease).  As such, even though this study provides some evidence that ondansetron may be helpful for IBS-D, this probably needs “to be replicated in large-scale, parallel group, randomized, placebo-controlled trials…with longer duration of therapy..before the true place of ondansetron in the management of IBS-D is known.”

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Mechanism for FODMAPs diet

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According to a recent study (Gut doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2014-307264 -thanks to KT Park for reference), a low FODMAPs diet changes the microbiome which in turn may relate to improvements in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Abstract

Objective A low FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols) diet reduces symptoms of IBS, but reduction of potential prebiotic and fermentative effects might adversely affect the colonic microenvironment. The effects of a low FODMAP diet with a typical Australian diet on biomarkers of colonic health were compared in a single-blinded, randomised, cross-over trial.

Design Twenty-seven IBS and six healthy subjects were randomly allocated one of two 21-day provided diets, differing only in FODMAP content (mean (95% CI) low 3.05 (1.86 to 4.25) g/day vs Australian 23.7 (16.9 to 30.6) g/day), and then crossed over to the other diet with ≥21-day washout period. Faeces passed over a 5-day run-in on their habitual diet and from day 17 to day 21 of the interventional diets were pooled, and pH, short-chain fatty acid concentrations and bacterial abundance and diversity were assessed.

Results Faecal indices were similar in IBS and healthy subjects during habitual diets. The low FODMAP diet was associated with higher faecal pH (7.37 (7.23 to 7.51) vs 7.16 (7.02 to 7.30); p=0.001), similar short-chain fatty acid concentrations, greater microbial diversity and reduced total bacterial abundance (9.63 (9.53 to 9.73) vs 9.83 (9.72 to 9.93) log10 copies/g; p<0.001) compared with the Australian diet. To indicate direction of change, in comparison with the habitual diet the low FODMAP diet reduced total bacterial abundance and the typical Australian diet increased relative abundance for butyrate-producing Clostridium cluster XIVa (median ratio 6.62; p<0.001) and mucus-associated Akkermansia muciniphila (19.3; p<0.001), and reduced Ruminococcus torques.

Conclusions Diets differing in FODMAP content have marked effects on gut microbiota composition. The implications of long-term reduction of intake of FODMAPs require elucidation.

Related blog posts:

Low-FODMAPs with or without Gluten-Free Diet in IBS

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In a small study with 60 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (DDW abstract 374), the response rate to a Low-FODMAPs/Normal gluten diet was as effective as a Low-FODMAPs/Gluten-free diet.  Both diets were more effective in reducing abdominal symptoms than a normal diet.  A summary of this abstract from Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News: Nixing Gluten Offers No Added Benefit To Low-FODMAPs Diet for IBS

According to Lin Chang, MD: “The beneficial effect of low FODMAPs does not appear to be predominantly due to gluten avoidance.”

Related blog post: An Unexpected Twist for “Gluten Sensitivity” | gutsandgrowth

 

Childhood Salmonella and Development of Irritable Bowel

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“An analysis of children affected by a Salmonella enteritidis outbreak more than 20 years ago provides evidence that pathogen-induced gastroenteritis during childhood is a risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults. The findings from this long-term study are published in the July issue of Gastroenterology.”  This study (Gastroenterol 2014; 147: 69-77) is nicely summarized in a recent AGA Journal blog –here’s the link: What are the Long-Term Effects of Gastrointestinal Infections During Childhood.

Key point/excerpt:

Cesare Cremon et al. identified and monitored individuals affected by a foodborne Salmonella enteritidis outbreak that involved 1811 people in Bologna, Italy in 1994. The outbreak resulted from delivery of contaminated tuna sauce to 36 schools. Although some adult staff became ill, 93% of those affected were children, 3–10 years old…Sixteen years later, Cremon et al. evaluated the long-term effects of the outbreak, mailing a questionnaire to 757 subjects…Among exposed participants, 32.3% reported functional dyspepsia, compared with 27.1% of controls, and 36.8% reported having IBS, compared with 23.3% of controls. The odds ratio for IBS among people exposed to the Salmonella was 1.92.

Change the Name: “Functional” is Lousy

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A recent commentary explains why “functional” pain is such a lousy term (JAMA Pediatr. Published online June 02, 2014. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.530 –thanks to Ben Gold for this reference).  In pediatric GI practice, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) constitute a large part of clinical work.

The author, Neil Schechter from the Chronic Pain Program in Boston, makes several important observations:

  • “There is general dissatisfaction with the terminology.”  This stems from the fact that “in common parlance today, functional disorders are typically assumed to be a product of psychological distress.” Yet, parents/patients are “not ready to accept a strictly psychological explanation.”
  • The idea that functional pain is solely a psychological disturbance is inaccurate.  Though, anxiety and depression are common associated problems which often contribute to symptoms.  He states that “hyperexcitability” of the nervous system is “the core biological link and final common pathway for the creation of functional pain disorders.”
  • This category should be labeled dysfunctional pain.  “In effect, calling pain ‘functional’ is like calling disease, ‘ease.'”
  • These disorders frequently respond to centrally acting therapies including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acupuncture.
  • “The search for an appropriate term for these pain problems is far more than semantic…[a patient’s] understanding of their illness is clearly linked to their compliance with medical advice…it may stem their desire for additional costly investigation.”
  • Dr. Schechter proposes the term “primary pain disorder.”  “Unlike Shakespeare’s rose, functional pain would benefit from a new name.”

Take-home message: I wish I had written this commentary.  Explaining “functional” pain and “irritable bowel syndrome” are Sisyphean tasks.  Better nomenclature could ease the burden.  Join me in abandoning the use of the word “functional.”

In the same issue, an editorial on the “Role of Celiac Disease Screening for Children with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders” (JAMA Pediatr. 2014;168(6):514-515. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.5418) comments on a study (JAMA Pediatr. 2014; 168(6):555-60) in the same issue which reports a 4-fold higher prevalence of celiac disease among children who meet clinical criteria for irritable bowel syndrome.  The study reports the results from a cohort of 992 children identified with recurrent abdominal pain in a primary care setting.  In the editorial, the authors note:  “When grouped together, the prevalence rate of celiac disease among all children with FGIDs (IBS included) approaches 2%.  Celiac disease screening in this population would result in a positive tTG-IgA test result in 4%…However, 53% of all positive test results would be falsely elevated.”  As such the editorial advocates in favor of screening for celiac disease in children with IBS but not all FGIDs.

Related blog posts:

Consensus Guidelines on FMT

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Recent links from AGA for FMT (fecal microbiota transplantation) for Clostridium difficile –excellent resource:

Also, summary of recent abstracts from ACG regarding FMT for C difficile, IBS, and IBD: http://t.co/7LFnDYq5V5

Some previous blog posts on this topic:

Newest FODMAPs Study for IBS

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From AGA twitter feed: http://t.co/vFwhS5YEF4 -Full text article.

From Abstract:

Methods

In a study of 30 patients with IBS and 8 healthy individuals (controls, matched for demographics and diet), we collected dietary data from subjects for 1 habitual week. Participants then randomly were assigned to groups that received 21 days of either a diet low in FODMAPs or a typical Australian diet, followed by a washout period of at least 21 days, before crossing over to the alternate diet. Daily symptoms were rated using a 0- to 100-mm visual analogue scale. Almost all food was provided during the interventional diet periods, with a goal of less than 0.5 g intake of FODMAPs per meal for the low-FODMAP diet. All stools were collected from days 17–21 and assessed for frequency, weight, water content, and King’s Stool Chart rating.

Results

Subjects with IBS had lower overall gastrointestinal symptom scores (22.8; 95% confidence interval, 16.7–28.8 mm) while on a diet low in FODMAPs, compared with the Australian diet (44.9; 95% confidence interval, 36.6–53.1 mm; P < .001) and the subjects’ habitual diet. Bloating, pain, and passage of wind also were reduced while IBS patients were on the low-FODMAP diet. Symptoms were minimal and unaltered by either diet among controls. Patients of all IBS subtypes had greater satisfaction with stool consistency while on the low-FODMAP diet, but diarrhea-predominant IBS was the only subtype with altered fecal frequency and King’s Stool Chart scores.

Conclusions

In a controlled, cross-over study of patients with IBS, a diet low in FODMAPs effectively reduced functional gastrointestinal symptoms. This high-quality evidence supports its use as a first-line therapy.

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Microscopic, Lymphocytic and Collagenous Colitis

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Microscopic Colitis (MC) is a rare pediatric problems and occurs when chronic diarrhea occurs in the presence of a normal-appearing endoscopic exam but with abnormal histology.  In adult populations, microscopic colitis is seen more frequently and can be confused with irritable bowel syndrome.  The two subtypes:

  • Lymphocytic Colitis (LC):  >20 intraepithelial lymphocytes/100 colonocytes
  • Collagenous Colitis (CC): thickened subeptihelial collagen band in addition to changes seen with LC

In a recent study (JPGN 2013; 57: 557-61), 27 MC cases were identified from a pathology database between 1995-2011.  5 were excluded due to an enteric infection.  Among the 22 other cases, 19 had LC and 3 had CC.  Association with celiac disease was evident in 4 patients and many had preceding drug exposures.

Treatment included steroids, melamine, an bismuth.

Additional references:

  • -JPGN 2011; 53: 579. lymphocytic colitis case report
  • -Clincal Gastro & Hep 2011; 9: 13.  Celaic with persistent symptoms: consider poor adherence**, SBBO*, pancreatic insufficiency*, refractory celiac (rare), PLE, giardia, malignancy, lactose intolerance, functional d/o*, microscopic colitis, Crohn’s*, NSAIDs
  • -Gut 2009; 58: 68-72. Collagenous colitis: Budesonide at 6mg/day maintained remission in ~25%.
  • Gastro 2008; 135: 1510.  Budesonide effective for collagenous colitis; n=48, 9mg/day.
  • -Gastro 2011; 140: 1155. Review of microscopic colitis/collagenous colitis.
  • -Am J Gastroenterol 2010; 105: 859-865.  n=466 & 451 controls.  Microscopic colitis present in 1.5% of IBS patients.  IBS pts with lower incidence of adenomas (7.7.% vs 26%).  9% had diverticulosis (lower).
  • -Clin Gastro & hep 2009; 7: 1210. 4.3% of pts w microscopic colitis had celiac. 44/1009.