BACKGROUND/AIMS: We planned to determine irritable bowel syndrome prevalence in our region with its distribution according to clinical characteristics of patients and the factors which are considered to be related with irritable bowel syndrome. METHODS: 998 of 1250 individuals (mean age 38.99+0.44) replied to our questionnaire including Rome II criteria. ...

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors for Guillain-Barre syndrome. METHODS: Case-control study design was used in 51 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, and 51 matched controls. All of the 51 cases in this study had been examined by electrophysiology. Serum IgG antibodies specific for C. jejuni were determined in all the ...

BACKGROUND: We tested the hypothesis that subjects with relatives who suffered from abdominal pain or bowel dysfunction would be at an increased risk of more persistent irritable bowel syndrome. METHODS: A valid, self-report questionnaire was mailed to an age- and gender-stratified random sample of residents, aged 30-64 years, in Olmsted ...

The efficacy of plasma exchange as a therapy for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) suggests that humoral factors might contribute to the axonal conduction block responsible for the major symptoms of the disease. To explore this possibility, we have applied sera to rat spinal roots in vitro while monitoring axonal conduction. Neither ...

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a sporulating parasitic protozoan that infects the upper small intestinal tract. It has been identified as both a food and waterborne pathogen endemic in many developing countries. It is an important agent of Traveller's Diarrohea in developed countries and was responsible for numerous foodborne outbreaks in the ...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterised by abnormalities in motility, sensation and perception. It is one of the most common conditions encountered in clinical practice, especially by gastroenterologists. Pharmacological treatment of IBS is aimed at the predominant symptom and recent advances in pathophysiology has opened the door to the development ...

One of the most common uses of therapeutic plasmapheresis is for the treatment of immunologically mediated polyneuropathies. This paper discusses the use of plasmapheresis in Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, polyneuropathies associated with paraproteins, lower motor neuron syndromes, and polyneuropathies associated with HIV. As the pathogenesis of immunologically mediated ...

AIM: To determine the prevalence, symptom pattern and impact of the irritable bowel syndrome, across eight European countries, using a standardized methodology. METHODS: A community survey of 41 984 individuals was performed using quota sampling and random digit telephone dialing to identify those with diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome or those ...

The irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder associated with a significant burden of illness, poor quality of life, high rates of absenteeism, and high health care utilization. Management can be difficult and treatment unrewarding; these facts have led physicians and patients toward alternative therapies. We explored a variety of ...

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain and/or discomfort related to an abnormal bowel habit. Irritable bowel syndrome is very common in society and treatment alternatives are scarce. This disorder may be viewed as a benign disorder from a strictly medical point of view, but in many patients there ...

Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation is infrequently encountered in children and adolescents. Additional signs and symptoms such as postural deformities and abnormal gait accompany the classical findings of lumbar root irritation. These unusual signs have been described in the literature as "tight hamstrings syndrome". Waddling gait with flexed knees is considered ...

BACKGROUND: Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are frequent users of the health care system. DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective matched case-control study assessed the economic impact of irritable bowel syndrome on the Medicaid program by comparing the health care utilization and expenditures of Medicaid patients with irritable bowel syndrome in ...

SR 58611A [SR 58611], a highly selective agonist for atypical beta3-adrenoceptors, inhibits intestinal motility. This (phenylethanol) aminotetraline sympathomimetic was originated by Sanofi as a potential treatment for irritable bowel syndrome but is now in development for depression. SR 58611A is currently in phase III trials for depression in France. A ...

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome patients demonstrate colonic hypersensitivity after duodenal lipid infusion. AIM: To investigate the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) receptors in this sensory component of the gastrocolonic response in irritable bowel syndrome. METHODS: Fifteen female patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome completed a trial with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ...

BACKGROUND: Both central and peripheral serotonergic modulators are used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. The majority of patients with irritable bowel syndrome presenting to a gastroenterologist demonstrate affective dysregulation. Serotonin may play a regulatory role in both gastrointestinal motility and sensitivity, as well as in affective dysregulation, in ...

We describe a patient with acute isolated bulbar palsy following enteritis. A 29-year-old man developed dysphagia and nasal voice without limb weakness, ataxia, or areflexia. High titres of serum anti-GT1a and anti-Campylobacter jejuni IgG antibodies were detected. He was treated with plasmapheresis, resulting in rapid clinical improvement. This case suggests ...

AIMS: To study the prevalence of dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome and the effects of co-existing anxiety and depression on health care utilization by a population survey in Chinese. METHODS: Ethnic Chinese households were invited to participate in a telephone survey using a validated bowel symptom questionnaire and the hospital ...

To investigate the role of MMP-9 in Guillain-Barré syndrome, the authors correlated electrophysiologic abnormalities and MMP-9 plasma levels in a series of 21 patients. MMP-9 plasma levels were higher in the demyelinating group than in the nondemyelinating group, and in patients with high CSF protein level. Increase of MMP-9 circulating ...

Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract and is frequently treated by family physicians. Despite patients' worries about the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, it is a benign condition. The diagnosis should be made using standard criteria after red flags that may signify organic ...

We report a case of markedly asymmetric pharyngeal-cervical-brachial weakness. Acute progression of symptoms, albuminocytologic dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid, electrophysiologic evidence of demyelination and elevation of IgG anti-GT1 a antibody titer paralleled the clinical course, support the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Guillain-Barré syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ...

Guillain-Barré syndrome is characterized by acute paralysis and ascending neuropathy due to an inflammatory attack on the myelin of peripheral nerves. About 2/3 of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome have an infection 1-3 weeks before the onset of the symptoms. Guillain-Barré syndrome has rarely been reported after solid organ transplantation (18 ...

A 21-year-old man developed rapid progression of tetraplegia, bulbar palsy, and respiratory paralysis after Campylobacterjejuni enteritis. Based on the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, he received plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin. Serum anti-GT1a IgG antibody which lacked cross-reactivity with GQ1b was detected. Four months after the onset, the patient still had severe ...

The association of temporal arteritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome has rarely been reported. We describe a patient who sequentially suffered from both disorders. An 81-year-old woman presented with headache and loss of appetite. Analysis showed anemia and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 94 mm/hr. Temporal artery biopsy disclosed giant cell arteritis. ...

The efforts of clinical researchers, lay organizations and pharmaceutical companies have increased the public profile of irritable bowel syndrome and made it a respectable diagnosis. Diagnostic symptom criteria encourage a firm clinical diagnosis, which is the foundation of a logical management strategy. This begins with education. Reassurance that no structural ...

AIM: To perform a systematic review of the literature with three objectives: (1) to compare the health related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with that of healthy controls; (2) to compare the HRQoL of irritable bowel syndrome patients to those with other diseases; and (3) ...

Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as the most common infectious agent associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Available information on the complete genome sequence of C. jejuni NCTC 11168 has helped researchers to identify polysaccharide capsules as well as genetic mechanisms in the synthesis of ganglioside-like cell surface molecules in ...

To know the impact of the Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) in the population less than 15 years old, after the eradication of poliomyelitis. Data bank from the program of epidemiological surveillance of acute flaccid palsies (AFP) from the Fundação Nacional de Saúde were analyzed between 1990-1996. From 3619 notifications of ...

It is reported that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin-1 (orexin-A) concentrations in patients with narcolepsy are significantly low. Human narcolepsy is also known to be closely associated with a specific human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA), suggesting that autoimmunity is involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. Thus, it is important to ...

The case of a 13 year-old patient affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome developed after varicella zoster virus infection is reported. Cerebrospinal fluid examination and motor and sensory conduction velocity were consistent with GBS. Antibodies against gangliosides GM1 were present; it is likely that some of these may play an important role ...

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the role of genetic and environmental factors in irritable bowel syndrome. Various extra-intestinal manifestations are more prevalent in cases than in controls. Genetic effects may be important in the liability to develop functional bowel disorders. AIMS: To evaluate the associations of irritable bowel syndrome with ...

Lactose intolerance and malabsorbed carbohydrate present in some fruitjuice may trigger symptoms commonly seen in irritable bowel syndrome. In a two-site study, 28 subjects 9 months to 18 years old (mean 6.9 +/- 5.9 years) with significant intake of apple juice or pear nectar (> 6 oz a day) with ...

A person with enteric fever who developed neuropsychiatric complication of catatonia after the fever subsided is presented. The catatonic symptoms were not associated with any depressive or psychotic symptoms. The relevant literature is discussed.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare complication in the setting of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We report three children with T cell lymphoma/leukemia in whom this syndrome developed soon after they received unrelated donor transplants. The rapid onset of symptoms raises the concern that the bone marrow transplant conditioning regimen (ie, ...

A 49-year-old woman developed acute left facial, hypoglossal, and phrenic nerve palsies, as well as dysphagia and weakness in the neck and arms. Electrophysiologic studies showed an acute motor axonal neuropathy. Serum anti-GM1 IgG antibody was positive. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment resulted in good clinical recovery. The present report indicates that ...

We analyzed two new cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, celecoxib (SC-58635) and meloxicam, for the treatment of experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) in rats. Celecoxib and meloxicam significantly reduced clinical EAN score and histopathological damage of the sciatic nerve. They induced no serious side effects, whereas indomethacin used as a control caused severe ...

This report summarizes current concepts and information gathered to date about the rectum in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that were presented at the 10th meeting of IBiS Club held in Leuven, Belgium. A working group of experts in the field of IBS discussed whether the rectum or the whole ...

A 34-week floppy preterm infant born to a mother with acute ulcerative colitis presented with a progressive reduction in spontaneous limb movements, severe generalized hypotonia, areflexia, autonomic dysfunction and respiratory failure. Electromyography revealed pronounced denervation activity and markedly slow nerve conduction velocity (3 m/s) with evidence of conduction block. These ...

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether or not the pattern and extent of autonomic involvement differ between the two subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), namely acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). METHODS: Head-up tilt test, R-R interval variation, plasma noradrenaline concentration, skin vasomotor reflex (SVR) and sympathetic ...

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox (varicella), becomes latent in cranial nerve and dorsal root ganglia, and can reactivate many years later to produce shingles (zoster) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Elderly and immunocompromised individuals are also at risk for complications of VZV reactivation involving the central nervous system (CNS), including myelitis, ...

The evaluation of a group of polyamine analogs as agents to ameliorate diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome is described. Each compound was assessed when administered subcutaneously in a psychological stress-induced model of irritable bowel syndrome in rodents for its ability to reduce stool output in a dose-dependent manner. The spermine pharmacophore ...

Myelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome occurring concurrently after varicella infection is very rare. A 34-year-old man presented with progressive flaccid tetraparesis, facial palsy, respiratory failure, sensory loss and urinary incontinence one week after varicella infection. Clinical, imaging and electrodiagnostic studies supported the diagnosis of myelitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. He improved with ...

The present article reviews the current literature on the role of diet and other trophic factors in the treatment of short-bowel syndrome. Results using glutamine, growth hormone and glucagon-like peptide 2 are reviewed. Although experimental animal data would suggest that various growth factors are of benefit in the treatment of ...

Food products have variously been reported as causing, perpetuating or treating irritable bowel syndrome. The evidence for this is reviewed with regard to recent studies investigating symptom reporting, mono- and disaccharide malabsorption and probiotics. The development of objective measures remains an urgent priority because of the high placebo response to ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of irritable bowel syndrome on personal relationships and working practices. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 60-item questionnaire about personal relationships, working practices and treatment was sent to 3090 subscribers of the IBS Bulletin, a quarterly educational publication. A total of 1855 completed questionnaires were returned. Analysis ...

This review focuses on recent epidemiological findings on Guillain-Barré syndrome regarding incidence, antecedent events related to the disease, prognosis and prognostic indicators, and treatment. Moreover, this review summarizes recent observations on clinical variants of Guillain-Barré syndrome and their relationship with the prevailing clinical presentation of the disease. The epidemiological observations ...

This editorial review summarizes and critically analyses reports published in the preceding 18 months on the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome, with particular emphasis on the role of ganglioside antibodies, antecedent infections, and the concept of molecular mimicry. It concludes with an appraisal of currently available and proposed therapies.

G.B. Syndrome is an acute flaccid lower motor neuron (LMN) paralysis. The diagnosis is based on clinical presentation, course of illness with supportive investigations. This article reports an uncommon case of GB Syndrome caused by HSV infection in a 2 yr-9 mth-old child and have analysed the natural history, etiopathology, ...

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a reputation for being hard to treat, trivial, and often psychologic in origin. Furthermore, there currently appears to be almost more of a stigma attached to being diagnosed as having IBS than a depressive illness. Thus, it is not surprising that patients with this syndrome ...

OBJECTIVE: Central nervous system correlates of the visceral hyperalgesia documented in patients with irritable bowel syndrome are limited. Reproducible cerebral evoked potentials can be recorded in response to rhythmic balloon distension of the rectum in healthy adults. Irritable bowel syndrome patients and healthy subjects were studied to compare the characteristics ...

Guillain-Barré syndrome is an acute, autoimmune polyradiculoneuropathy that improves with immune-modulating treatment if instituted early in the illness. Preliminary diagnosis relies on the clinician's recognition of the typical symptoms and signs as supporting evidence of the illness, such as nerve conduction studies, which may not be available emergently. We report ...