Effect of Buspirone on Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Buspirone shows promise in treating disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), particularly functional dyspepsia. However, findings have been mixed.

Methods: We systematically searched for prospective studies testing buspirone for any upper gastrointestinal DGBI in 4 databases (Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycInfo).

Gastrointestinal symptoms and nutritional issues in patients with hypermobility disorders: assessment, diagnosis and management.

Patients diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobile spectrum disorders are increasingly presenting to secondary and tertiary care centres with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and nutritional issues. Due to the absence of specific guidance, these patients are investigated, diagnosed and managed heterogeneously, resulting in a growing concern that they are at increased risk of iatrogenic harm. This review aims to collate the evidence for the causes of GI symptoms, nutritional issues and associated conditions as well as the burden of polypharmacy in this group of patients.

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation prevents the development of, and reverses, established oesophageal pain hypersensitivity.

Background: The vagus nerve exerts an anti-nociceptive effect on the viscera.

Aim: To investigate whether transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (t-VNS) prevents the development of and/or reverses established visceral hypersensitivity in a validated model of acid-induced oesophageal pain.

Methods: Before and after a 30-minute infusion of 0.

Functional esophageal disorders: pharmacological options.

Functional esophageal disorders are a group of disorders that cause esophageal symptoms, although with negative results on investigation with standard esophageal tests. Therefore, structural disorders, motility disorders with a histopathological basis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are excluded. They are frequently encountered by clinicians, and so a systematic and evidence-based approach to investigation, diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Emerging therapeutic options in GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent problem resulting in a high level of healthcare consultation and expenditure in the Western World. Although standard medical therapy (in the form of proton pump inhibitor drugs) is effective in the majority of cases, there remains a significant proportion who are refractory to treatment. In addition, surgical therapy (in the form of laparoscopic fundoplication) is not always effective, and in some can be associated with significant side-effects, particularly gas-bloat, flatulence and dysphagia.