Optimizing the Utility of Anorectal Manometry for Diagnosis and Therapy: A Roundtable Review and Recommendations.

Background & Aims: Anorectal manometry (ARM) is a comprehensive diagnostic tool for evaluating patients with constipation, fecal incontinence, or anorectal pain; however, it is not widely utilized for reasons that remain unclear. The aim of this roundtable discussion was to critically examine the current clinical practices of ARM and biofeedback therapy by physicians and surgeons in both academic and community settings.

Methods: Leaders in medical and surgical gastroenterology and physical therapy with interest in anorectal disorders were surveyed regarding practice patterns and utilization of these technologies.

Video-Based Deep Learning to Detect Dyssynergic Defecation with 3D High-Definition Anorectal Manometry.

Background: We developed a deep learning algorithm to evaluate defecatory patterns to identify dyssynergic defecation using 3-dimensional high definition anal manometry (3D-HDAM).

Aims: We developed a 3D-HDAM deep learning algorithm to evaluate for dyssynergia.

Methods: Spatial-temporal data were extracted from consecutive 3D-HDAM studies performed between 2018 and 2020 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health.

Age- and Gender-Based Differences in Anorectal Function, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, and Constipation-Specific Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Constipation.

Background: The effect of age and gender differences on anorectal function, symptoms severity, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic constipation (CC) is not well studied. This study examines the impact of age and gender on anorectal function testing (AFT) characteristics, symptoms burden, and QoL in patients with CC.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 2550 adults with CC who completed AFT.

Organizing and Developing a GI Motility Lab in Community Practice: Challenges and Rewards.

Purpose Of Review: Neurogastroenterology and motility is a rapidly evolving subspecialty that encompasses over 33% of gastroenterological disorders, and up to 50% of referrals to gastroenterology practice. It includes common problems such as dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, gas/bloating, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, food intolerance and fecal incontinence Standard diagnostic tests such as endoscopy or imaging are normal in these conditions. To define the underlying mechanism(s)/etiology of these disorders, diagnostic motility tests are often required.

Utility of Anorectal Testing to Predict Outcomes With Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Chronic Constipation: Pragmatic Trial.

Background & Aims: We performed a clinical trial that aimed to inform the clinical utility of anorectal manometry (ARM) and balloon expulsion time (BET) as up-front tests to predict outcomes with community-based pelvic floor physical therapy as the next best step to address chronic constipation after failing an empiric trial of soluble fiber supplementation or osmotic laxatives.

Methods: We enrolled 60 treatment-naïve patients with Rome IV functional constipation failing 2 weeks of soluble fiber supplementation or osmotic laxatives. All patients underwent ARM/BET (London protocol) followed by community-based pelvic floor physical therapy.

Diffusion of an innovation: growth in video capsule endoscopy in the U.S. Medicare population from 2003 to 2019.

Background: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE), approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001, represented a disruptive technology that transformed evaluation of the small intestine.

An Office-Based, Point-of-Care Test Predicts Treatment Outcomes With Community-Based Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Patients With Chronic Constipation.

Background & Aims: Rectal evacuation disorders are common among constipated patients. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of an investigational point-of-care test (rectal expulsion device [RED]) to predict outcomes with community-based pelvic floor physical therapy.

Methods: We enrolled patients meeting Rome IV criteria for functional constipation failing fiber/laxatives for more than 2 weeks.

A Randomized Pilot Study to Compare the Effectiveness of a Low FODMAP Diet vs Psyllium in Patients With Fecal Incontinence and Loose Stools.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a low fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol diet (LFD) vs psyllium on the frequency and severity of fecal incontinence (FI) episodes in patients with loose stools.

Methods: This was a single-center, randomized pilot trial of adult patients with FI (Rome III) with at least 1 weekly FI episode associated with loose stool. Eligible patients were randomized to 4 weeks of either a dietitian-led LFD or 6 g/d psyllium treatment.

Utilization of Dietitians in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Members of the American College of Gastroenterology.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify benefits and barriers to using a gastroenterology (GI) dietitian for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) care.

Methods: A 25-question survey was electronically distributed to the members of the American College of Gastroenterology. Information pertaining to demographics, barriers, and values to using a GI dietitian for IBS patient care was collected.

Can a Defecation Posture Modifying Device Correct an Abnormal Balloon Expulsion Test in Chronically Constipated Patients?

Evacuation disorders are common among chronically constipated (CC) patients who fail to respond to laxatives and are typically diagnosed by anorectal manometry (ARM) and/or balloon expulsion testing (BET). Recently, there has been emerging interest in the use of defecation posture-modifying devices (DPMDs) to improve constipation symptoms, presumably by replicating the physiologic benefits of squatting on stool evacuation, such as straightening of the anorectal angle and relaxing the pelvic floor. However, the ability of DPMDs to normalize anorectal function in adult patients with CC has not been studied.

Development of a Simple, Point-of-Care Device to Test Anorectal Function in Patients with Constipation: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Functional constipation (FC) is one of the most frequently encountered gastrointestinal conditions in practice. Practice guidelines universally recommend that patients with typical constipation symptoms and no alarm features be treated empirically with dietary/lifestyle interventions and laxative therapy. Unfortunately, by the time a patient reaches a gastroenterologist, these treatments frequently have already been tried.

Phenotyping patients with borderline elevated esophageal acid exposure.

Acid exposure time (AET) <4% on ambulatory reflux monitoring definitively rules out pathologic gastroesophageal acid reflux, while AET >6% indicates pathologic reflux per the Lyon Consensus, leaving AET of 4-6% as borderline. We aimed to elucidate the borderline AET population and identify metrics that could help differentiate this group. A total of 50 subjects in each group, AET <4, 4-6, and >6% on pH-impedance monitoring between 2015 and 2019, were retrospectively reviewed.

How the North American Consensus Protocol Affects the Performance of Glucose Breath Testing for Bacterial Overgrowth Versus a Traditional Method.

Introduction: The North American Consensus guidelines for glucose breath testing (GBT) for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) incorporated changes in glucose dosing and diagnostic cutoffs. We compared GBT positivity based on hydrogen and methane excretion and quantified symptoms during performance of the North American vs older modified Rome Consensus protocols.

Methods: GBT was performed using the North American protocol (75 g glucose, cutoffs >20 parts per million [ppm] hydrogen increase after glucose and >10 ppm methane anytime) in 3,102 patients vs modified Rome protocol (50 g glucose, >12 ppm hydrogen and methane increases after glucose) in 3,193 patients with suspected SIBO.

Anorectal manometry to diagnose dyssynergic defecation: Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Background: Chronic constipation is a common condition, and dyssynergic defecation underlies up to 40% of cases. Anorectal manometry is recommended to assess for dyssynergic defecation among chronically constipated patients but remains poorly standardized. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of anorectal manometry and determine optimal testing parameters.

Comparison of anorectal function measured using wearable digital manometry and a high resolution manometry system.

There is a need for a lower cost manometry system for assessing anorectal function in primary and secondary care settings. We developed an index finger-based system (termed "digital manometry") and tested it in healthy volunteers, patients with chronic constipation, and fecal incontinence. Anorectal pressures were measured in 16 participants with the digital manometry system and a 23-channel high-resolution anorectal manometry system.

American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Task Force Recommendations for Resumption of Motility Laboratory Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The American Neurogastroenterology and Motility Society Task Force recommends that gastrointestinal motility procedures should be performed in motility laboratories adhering to the strict recommendations and personal protective equipment (PPE) measures to protect patients, ancillary staff, and motility allied health professionals. When available and within constraints of institutional guidelines, it is preferable for patients scheduled for motility procedures to complete a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test within 48 hours before their procedure, similar to the recommendations before endoscopy made by gastroenterology societies. COVID-19 test results must be documented before performing procedures.

Unraveling the behavior of oral drug products inside the human gastrointestinal tract using the aspiration technique: History, methodology and applications.

Fluid sampling from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has been applied as a valuable tool to gain more insight into the fluids present in the human GI tract and to explore the dynamic interplay of drug release, dissolution, precipitation and absorption after drug product administration to healthy subjects. In the last twenty years, collaborative initiatives have led to a plethora of clinical aspiration studies that aimed to unravel the luminal drug behavior of an orally administered drug product. The obtained drug concentration-time profiles from different segments in the GI tract were a valuable source of information to optimize and/or validate predictive in vitro and in silico tools, frequently applied in the non-clinical stage of drug product development.

Impact of gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy on static and dynamic pyloric function in gastroparesis patients.

Background: Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (EndoFLIP) tests typically measure static pyloric parameters, but the pylorus exhibits phasic variations on manometry. Dynamic changes in pyloric function have not been quantified using EndoFLIP, and the impact of Gastric Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (G-POEM) on static and dynamic pyloric activity in gastroparesis is unknown.

Methods: EndoFLIP balloon inflation to 30, 40, and 50 mL was performed to measure mean, maximum, and minimum values and variability in pyloric diameter and distensibility before and after G-POEM in 20 patients with refractory gastroparesis.

Provider Variability in the Management Patterns of Increased Nonacid Reflux.

Introduction: Increased nonacid reflux is diagnosed in a subgroup of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who often present with reflux symptoms refractory to proton-pump inhibitor therapy. Despite the prevalence of this condition, the management approach for patients with increased nonacid reflux can often be varied and unclear.

Aims: Our primary aim was to investigate physician management patterns for patients who had received a diagnosis of increased nonacid reflux on impedance-pH studies.

Mechanistic Deconvolution of Oral Absorption Model with Dynamic Gastrointestinal Fluid to Predict Regional Rate and Extent of GI Drug Dissolution.

Multiple approaches such as mathematical deconvolution and mechanistic oral absorption models have been used to predict in vivo drug dissolution in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, these approaches are often validated by plasma pharmacokinetic profiles, but not by in vivo drug dissolution due to the limited data available regarding the local GI environment. It is also challenging to predict and validate in vivo dissolution in different regions of the GI tract (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum).

Functional Lumen Imaging Probe Is Useful for the Quantification of Gastric Sleeve Stenosis and Prediction of Response to Endoscopic Dilation: a Pilot Study.

Background: Stenosis after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is common though diagnostic criteria and predictors of treatment response is unknown. Endoluminal functional impedance planimetry (EndoFLIP) is a diagnostic tool for measuring lumen geometry. We aimed to use EndoFLIP to characterize SG stenosis.