Morbidity, risk of cancer and mortality in 3645 HFE mutations carriers.

Background & Aims: Mutations in the HFE gene can lead to hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) and have been suggested to increase the risk of extra-hepatic diseases, especially breast and colorectal cancer. Here we investigated long-term outcomes of Swedish patients with HFE mutations.

Methods: We identified 3645 patients with a homozygous p.

Symptom pattern following a meal challenge test in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and healthy controls.

Background: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often complain of worsening of symptoms after meal intake. Meal challenge tests have previously been used to study symptoms and pathophysiology in functional dyspepsia.

Objective: The objective of this article is to evaluate differences in gastrointestinal (GI) symptom response to a standardized meal test in IBS compared to healthy controls.

A combined nutrient and lactulose challenge test allows symptom-based clustering of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate the usefulness of a test meal containing lactulose in the non-invasive assessment of visceral sensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and to identify subsets of IBS patients based on gastrointestinal (GI) symptom generation.

Methods: We included 43 patients with IBS (Rome III) and 29 healthy controls. The fasted subjects were served three test meals consisting of a 400-ml liquid breakfast alone or containing lactulose (15 or 25 g) in a double-blind crossover design.

Randomised clinical trial: symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome are improved by a psycho-education group intervention.

Background: Evidence supports the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural approaches in improving the symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Duration, cost and resistance of many patients towards a psychological therapy have limited their acceptance.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention on IBS symptoms.

Increased TLR2 expression on blood monocytes in irritable bowel syndrome patients.

Objectives: The understanding of the mechanisms for increased immune activation in subgroups of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is incomplete. We hypothesized that monocytes are more activated in patients with IBS than in the healthy population. We therefore examined activation phenotype and cytokine secretion of blood monocytes.

Structured patient education is superior to written information in the management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled study.

Objective: Education and reassurance are proposed to be of great importance in the management of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but few trials supporting this are available. Our aim was to compare the effects of a structured patient group education (IBS school) versus receiving written information in the form of an IBS guidebook, on knowledge, symptoms, and quality of life in IBS patients.

Methods: Patients with IBS according to the Rome II criteria were randomized to participate in the group education or to receive the guidebook.

Clinical trial: the effects of a fermented milk containing three probiotic bacteria in patients with irritable bowel syndrome - a randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

Background: The effects of probiotic bacteria in IBS remain controversial.

Aim: To study the effects of a probiotic product on IBS symptoms.

Methods: We randomized 74 IBS patients to receive 8 weeks of daily treatment with 400 mL milk fermented with the yoghurt bacteria and containing Lactobacillus paracasei, ssp.

Hypervigilance in irritable bowel syndrome compared with organic gastrointestinal disease.

Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients are suggested to selectively attend to gastrointestinal (GI) sensations compared with healthy controls. However, it remains unclear whether there are differences between IBS and other chronic GI disorders. We aimed to evaluate the presence of hypervigilance towards the GI tract in IBS compared with patients with organic GI diseases.

T-cell activation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been found to be associated with low-grade immune activation in a subset of patients. We therefore investigated blood and colonic T-cell activity in IBS patients.

Methods: Blood samples were initially obtained from 74 IBS patients and 30 controls.

B-cell activation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may have a low grade immune activation. However, little is known about the properties of B cells of IBS patients. We therefore investigated activation level and antigen presenting phenotype of blood B cells of IBS patients.

Predictors of subjective fatigue in chronic gastrointestinal disease.

Background: Fatigue is a common, but poorly understood symptom in patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases.

Aim: To evaluate factors of importance for fatigue in patients with chronic GI diseases, and to compare it with fatigue in the general population.

Methods: In all, 399 patients attending a GI out-patient clinic completed questionnaires assessing fatigue, sleep disturbances, psychological general well-being and GI symptom severity.

Altered rectal perception in irritable bowel syndrome is associated with symptom severity.

Background & Aims: Diverging results exist regarding the connection between altered visceral perception and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, as well as the effects of psychological status on visceral sensitivity. We sought to investigate different aspects of rectal perception in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the association with GI and psychological symptoms.

Methods: We included 109 patients with IBS meeting Rome II criteria (77 women; age range, 20-71 years) and 29 healthy controls (21 women; age range, 20-68 years).

Subtyping the irritable bowel syndrome by predominant bowel habit: Rome II versus Rome III.

Background: The agreement between subtyping irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients based on Rome II criteria versus Rome III criteria is unknown.

Aim: To compare IBS subtyping based on Rome II versus III criteria.

Methods: The Rome II Modular Questionnaire and the Bristol Stool Form Scale (one-week diary cards) were completed by 249 IBS patients.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been proposed to be common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with altered small-bowel motility as a possible predisposing factor.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of SIBO, by culture of small-bowel aspirate, and its correlation to symptoms and motility in IBS.

Methods: 162 patients with IBS who underwent small-bowel manometry and culture of jejunal aspirate were included.

Functional findings in irritable bowel syndrome.

The pathophysiology of IBS is complex and still incompletely known. Both central and peripheral factors, including psychosocial factors, abnormal GI motility and secretion, and visceral hypersensitivity, are thought to contribute to the symptoms of IBS. Several studies have demonstrated altered GI motor function in IBS patients and the pattern differs between IBS subgroups based on the predominant bowel pattern.

Health-related quality of life in patients attending a gastroenterology outpatient clinic: functional disorders versus organic diseases.

Background & Aims: Several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders have major effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), but there are few direct comparisons between functional GI disorders and organic GI diseases. This study aimed to compare HRQOL between these 2 groups and to assess factors of importance for HRQOL.

Methods: Three hundred ninety-nine consecutive patients attending a GI outpatient clinic completed HRQOL instruments (Short Form 36 [SF-36] and Psychological General Well-Being index [PGWB]) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS).

Altered visceral perceptual and neuroendocrine response in patients with irritable bowel syndrome during mental stress.

Background And Aims: Stress often worsens the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We hypothesised that this might be explained by altered neuroendocrine and visceral sensory responses to stress in IBS patients.

Subjects And Methods: Eighteen IBS patients and 22 control subjects were assessed using rectal balloon distensions before, during, and after mental stress.