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.
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.
Background: Severe obesity in adolescence and young adulthood is undertreated which leads to obesity-related chronic diseases that progress into adulthood. Many organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) support early consideration of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in the pediatric population to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Methods: Five diverse patients who underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in the form of a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) contributed patient narratives that captured their life, with a focus on health related quality of life, before and after MBS.