Chronic constipation diagnosis and treatment evaluation: the "CHRO.CO.DI.T.E." study.

Background: According to Rome criteria, chronic constipation (CC) includes functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). Some patients do not meet these criteria (No Rome Constipation, NRC). The aim of the study was is to evaluate the various clinical presentation and management of FC, IBS-C and NRC in Italy.

Diagnosis and treatment of faecal incontinence: Consensus statement of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery and the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists.

Faecal incontinence is a common and disturbing condition, which leads to impaired quality of life and huge social and economic costs. Although recent studies have identified novel diagnostic modalities and therapeutic options, the best diagnostic and therapeutic approach is not yet completely known and shared among experts in this field. The Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery and the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists selected a pool of experts to constitute a joint committee on the basis of their experience in treating pelvic floor disorders.

Consensus statement AIGO/SICCR diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation (part II: treatment).

The second part of the Consensus Statement of the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Italian Society of Colo-Rectal Surgery reports on the treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation. There is no evidence that increasing fluid intake and physical activity can relieve the symptoms of chronic constipation. Patients with normal-transit constipation should increase their fibre intake through their diet or with commercial fibre.

Consensus statement AIGO/SICCR: diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation (part I: diagnosis).

Chronic constipation is a common and extremely troublesome disorder that significantly reduces the quality of life, and this fact is consistent with the high rate at which health care is sought for this condition. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation. The commission presents its results in a "Question-Answer" format, including a set of graded recommendations based on a systematic review of the literature and evidence-based medicine.

The daily diary and the questionnaire are not equivalent for the evaluation of bowel habits.

Background: It is unclear whether questionnaires and diary cards, which are widely used to collect data on bowel habits, provide analogous information.

Aims: We verified the concordance between the data provided by a daily diary and a retrospective questionnaire.

Methods: A 4-week diary (DIARY) concerning bowel habits was compiled by 221 subjects.

Inadequate use of acid-suppressive therapy in hospitalized patients and its implications for general practice.

Acid-suppressive therapy (AST) is largely prescribed in both hospital and general practice setting but few data are available on appropriateness of AST use in hospitalized patients and its fallout on prescribing in general practice. We assessed AST in patients consecutively admitted to an internal medicine department to determine the type and timing of prescription and indication for use according to widely accepted guidelines. Prescriptions were rated as indicated, acceptable, or not indicated.

Fecal multiple molecular tests to detect colorectal cancer in stool.

Background & Aims: Evaluation of molecular alterations in fecal DNA is a potential, noninvasive, alternative tool for the detection of colorectal cancer. We analyzed a large panel of molecular alterations involved in tumor transformation and progression to define their single diagnostic contribution in terms of sensitivity, cost, and time required to carry out the different tests.

Methods: DNA was analyzed in stool from 38 healthy individuals and in paired stools and primary lesions from 56 patients with colorectal cancer.

An extended assessment of bowel habits in a general population.

Aim: Bowel habits are difficult to study, and most data on defecatory behaviour in the general population have been obtained on the basis of recalled interview. The objective assessment of this physiological function and its pathological aspects continues to pose a difficult challenge. The aim of this prospective study was to objectively assess the bowel habits and related aspects in a large sample drawn from the general population.