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Published on: December 14, 2020
Functional chest pain: esophageal or overlapping functional disorder.
Ranjit S Mudipalli1, Jose M Remes-Troche, Leslie Andersen
1Section of Neurogastroenterology and GI Motility, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|April 12, 2007
Summary
Functional chest pain often co-occurs with other functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recognizing this overlap is key for effective patient management.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Functional Bowel Disorders
- Esophageal Motility
Background:
- The relationship between functional chest pain and other functional gastrointestinal disorders remains unclear.
- Investigating the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients presenting with functional chest pain is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients with functional chest pain.
- To assess the overlap between functional chest pain and conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Main Methods:
- Esophageal hypersensitivity was evaluated using a balloon distension test in 100 patients with functional chest pain.
- A modified Rome II questionnaire assessed functional bowel disorder prevalence, including IBS.
- Chest pain prevalence was also assessed in patients with functional constipation.
Main Results:
- 82% of functional chest pain patients met criteria for other functional disorders, most commonly IBS (27%) and abdominal bloating (22%).
- Esophageal hypersensitivity was present in 78% of responders, independent of other functional disorders.
- 39% of patients with functional constipation reported occasional chest pain.
Conclusions:
- A significant overlap exists between functional chest pain and other functional gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS.
- This association appears independent of esophageal hypersensitivity.
- Identifying this overlap can improve the management strategies for patients with functional chest pain.
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