Review article: the assessment and management of chronic severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in adults.

Link to article at PubMed

Review article: the assessment and management of chronic severe gastrointestinal dysmotility in adults.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Sep 19;

Authors: Paine P, McLaughlin J, Lal S

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The characterisation and management of chronic severe gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility are challenging. It may cause intestinal failure requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN).
AIMS: To review the presentation, aetiology, characterisation, management and outcome of chronic severe GI dysmotility, and to suggest a pragmatic management algorithm.
METHODS: PubMed search was performed up to December 2012 using appropriate search terms, restricted to human articles and reviewed for relevance. Segmental dysmotility, acute ileus, functional syndromes and non-English articles were excluded. Evidence and recommendations were evaluated using the GRADE system.
RESULTS: In total, 721 relevant articles were reviewed. A coherent and definitive picture is hampered by overlapping classification systems using multi-modal characterisation methods, subject to pitfalls and some requiring further validation. The literature is confined to case series with no randomised trials. Fewer than 20% undergo full thickness jejunal biopsy, which are otherwise labelled idiopathic. However, in studies with up to 80% biopsy rates, neuromuscular abnormalities may be found in 90%. Between 14% and 50% will require HPN, comprising 8-14% of all HPN patients, of which 2/3 are primary/idiopathic and 1/3 secondary, with scleroderma being the leading secondary cause. Ten-year  mortality ranges from 13% to 35% and is worst in elderly scleroderma patients. Management includes limited treatments for secondary causes, prokinetics, symptom palliation, psychological support, nutrition, hydration and judicious surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Severe dysmotility often remains idiopathic. It is rarely possible to alter disease trajectory; consequently, prognosis may be poor. Multi-disciplinary teams in a specialist setting can improve outcomes. Graded recommendations are enumerated and a pragmatic algorithm is suggested.

PMID: 24102305 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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