How bad are the symptoms and bowel dysfunction of patients with the irritable bowel syndrome? A prospective, controlled study with emphasis on stool form

Article Abstract:

Irritable bowel syndrome is a poorly defined group of symptoms relating to defecation, the nature of which is controversial, and for which there is no diagnostic test. Commonly reported symptoms include erratic bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. There is disagreement among physicians as to the degree to which irritable bowel syndrome reflects normal patient concern with abnormal gastrointestinal function rather than excessive preoccupation with normal day-to-day variation in defecation. To objectively quantify the characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome, three groups of patients were studied. The subjects were 26 female patients being treated on an outpatient basis for irritable bowel syndrome, 27 women who admitted to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome but who had not consulted a doctor (noncomplainers), and 27 healthy control subjects. All women monitored their bowel habits, stool consistency, subjective evaluation of gastrointestinal function, and physical symptoms for 30 days. All groups of subjects reported instances of pain and bloating, but this occurred much more frequently in the patient group. Defecation was much more erratic (both in timing and stool consistency) in the patient group, and there was also a distortion of the normal relationship between stool consistency and subjective report of bowel function, perhaps reflecting rectal irritation in these patients. Straining to finish defecating, followed by feelings of incomplete emptying of the bowels, was nine times more prevalent among irritable bowel patients. Noncomplainers fell between the patients and normal controls on almost all of the parameters measured, but were closer to the controls than to the patients. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Gastrointestinal diseases, Colorectal diseases, Intestinal diseases, Irritable bowel syndrome

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Symptomatic and silent gall stones in the community

Article Abstract:

Gallstones are solid masses that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They are commonly composed of cholesterol which is held in greater concentrations than will remain in solution in the bile; the precipitated cholesterol forms a compact mass. Gallstones may not produce symptoms, or they may interfere with the flow of bile and produce pain, loss of appetite, and flatulence. In the past, the only way to diagnose asymptomatic gallstones was through the use of radiological techniques; this was not routinely done, because of the consequent patient exposure to radiation. Only in recent years, with the advent of real-time ultrasound diagnostic tools can data concerning the prevalence of gallstones in the general population be gathered easily and safely. A study was carried out investigating the prevalence and symptom profile of gallstones among 1,896 British citizens living in East Bristol. Prevalence showed a general increase with advancing age, and at 60 to 69 years (the oldest age group sampled) 22.4 percent of women and 11.5 percent of men either had gallstones or had undergone cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal). Cholecystectomy was more common among women with gall bladder disease than men (43 percent versus 24 percent). For the most part, patients did not report biliary pain as a result of gallstone presence; only about eight percent of the women and none of the men with gallbladders reported convincing biliary pain. However, most patients (and particularly so, men) who had undergone cholecystectomy had done so following an episode of severe biliary pain. The small number of symptomatic gallstones is probably a result of the prompt diagnosis and treatment that is usually afforded this condition. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Gallstones, Gallbladder

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Dietary intake and sources of non-starch polysaccharide in English men and women

Article Abstract:

A survey of 739 men from ages 40 to 69 years and of 976 women from 25 to 69 years was conducted to evaluate their intake of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP), a part of dietary fiber. Women were found to prefer fruits, salads, brown breads and breakfast cereals as their source of NSP whilemen and younger people preferred potatoes cooked with fat and less for fruits. Potatoes were found to be the primary souce of NSP with more tha 50% of which were prepared with fat.

Health aspects, United Kingdom, Evaluation, Food habits, Nutrition surveys, Fiber in human nutrition, Dietary fiber

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