Correlation of Somatic Dysfunction With Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Findings: An Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Osteopathic manipulative medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical anatomy

Background:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy can reveal visceral abnormalities.
• Somatic dysfunction may correlate with these GI abnormalities.
• Understanding this link can enhance diagnostic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the correlation between palpatory findings of somatic dysfunction and GI abnormalities detected via endoscopy.
• To identify specific types of somatic dysfunction most frequently associated with GI abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study involving 66 adults undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or colonoscopy.
• Pre-endoscopy examination by osteopathic physicians for vertebral TART findings, Chapman reflex points, and visceral sphincter tenderness.
• Comparison of somatic dysfunction types and burden with endoscopic findings.

Main Results:

• High incidence of vertebral TART findings (70%-98%) and abnormal endoscopic findings (up to 98% in the stomach).
• Significant positive associations found between specific somatic dysfunctions (vertebral TART, Chapman points, visceral sphincters) and abnormalities in various GI regions.
• Higher somatic dysfunction burden observed in participants receiving only EGD compared to those receiving only colonoscopy or both procedures.

Conclusions:

• Numerous associations exist between somatic dysfunction and abnormal endoscopic findings.
• Establishing specific relationships is challenging due to high somatic dysfunction prevalence and limited normal controls.
• Future studies require larger sample sizes and focused examination of specific somatic dysfunction elements with high variability.