Gastroenterology or gastrology is the medical specialty concerned with digestive diseases. Traditionally, these are separated by anatomic or functional category. For example, disorders of the esophagus might be listed under "esophagus" and also included in a description of motility disorders (disorders of motor function.) Diseases of the liver fall under the branch of hepatology, which is traditionally classified under the umbrella of gastroenterology.

List of signs and symptoms of gastroenterological diseases:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• nausea
• abdominal pain

List of research fields in Gastroenterology:

• Neurogastroenterology
• Motility

More on [ Gastroenterology ]

pubmed: 1542-3565

Factors Associated with Persistant and Non-Persistant Chronic Constipation, Over 20 Years.
Choung RS, Locke GR, Rey E, Schleck CD, Baum C, Zinsmeister AR, Talley NJ Factors Associated with Persistant and Non-Persistant Chronic Constipation, Over 20 Years. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Jan 27; Authors: Choung RS, Locke GR, Rey E, Schleck CD, Baum C, Zinsmeister AR, Talley NJ Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: The prevalence of chronic constipation (CC) has been reported to be as high as 20% in the general population, but little is known about its natural history. We estimated the natural history of CC and characterized features of persistent CC and non-persistent CC, compared to individuals without constipation. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we analyzed data collected from multiple, validated surveys (minimum of 2) of 2853 randomly selected subjects, over a 20-year period (median, 11.6 years). Based on responses, subjects were characterized as having persistent CC, non-persistent CC, or no constipation. We assessed the association between constipation status and potential risk factors using logistic regression models, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 84 had persistent CC (3%), 605 had non-persistent CC (21%), and 2164 had no symptoms of constipation (76%). High scores from the somatic symptom checklist (odds ratio [OR] =2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-3.4) and frequent doctor visits (OR=2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-3.8) were significantly associated with persistent CC, compared to subjects with no constipation symptoms. The only factor that differed was increased use of laxatives or fiber among subjects with persistent CC (OR=3.0; 95% CI, 1.9-4.9). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of constipation might be exaggerated-the proportion of the population with persistent CC is low (3%). Patients with persistent and non-persistent CC have similar clinical characteristics, although individuals with persistent CC use more laxatives or fiber. CC therefore appears and disappears among certain patients, but we do not have enough information to identify these individuals in advance. PMID: 22289877 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Levels of Alanine Aminotransferase Confound Use of Transient Elastography to Diagnose Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic HCV Infection.
Tapper EB, Cohen EB, Patel K, Bacon B, Gordon S, Lawitz E, Nelson D, Nasser IA, Challies T, Afdhal N Levels of Alanine Aminotransferase Confound Use of Transient Elastography to Diagnose Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic HCV Infection. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Jan 27; Authors: Tapper EB, Cohen EB, Patel K, Bacon B, Gordon S, Lawitz E, Nelson D, Nasser IA, Challies T, Afdhal N Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic elastography (HE) is a non-invasive technique that measures liver stiffness and is used to diagnose hepatic fibrosis. It can help patients thought to have early-stage disease avoid a staging liver biopsy, but only when confounding variables that increase liver stiffness are excluded. Chronic inflammation from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is not considered to be one of these variables. METHODS: We identified 684 patients with HCV and METAVIR fibrosis scores of 0-2 from a prospective, multi-institutional study of liver stiffness in 2880 patients with chronic liver disease. Patients were 49.6±9.0 years old, 64.3% male, and had an average body mass index of 26.7±4.1. RESULTS: In a multivariate analysis, inflammation (based on histologic analysis) and level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were associated with liver stiffness. The chances of a patient having a level of stiffness that indicates cirrhosis increased with grade of inflammation and level of ALT. Using a conservative, 14.5 kPa cutoff for the diagnosis of cirrhosis, grade 3 inflammation had an odds ratio (OR) of 9.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.49-33.4). Likewise, levels of ALT greater than 80 IU/L and 120 IU/L had ORs of 3.84 (95% CI, 2.10-7.00) and 4.10% (95% CI, 2.18-7.69), respectively. The effect of the level of ALT persisted when analysis was restricted to patients with fibrosis scores of F0 to F1. CONCLUSION: In patients with HCV infection and early-stage fibrosis, increased levels of ALT correlate with liver stiffness among patients in the lowest strata of fibrosis (METAVIR scores 0-2). Patients without fibrosis but high levels of ALT could have liver stiffness within the range for cirrhosis. Inflammation should be considered a confounding variable in analysis of liver stiffness. PMID: 22289876 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Efficacy and Safety of Anticoagulation on Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Vein Thrombosis.
Delgado MG, Seijo S, Yepes I, Achécar L, Catalina MV, García-Criado A, Abraldes JG, de la Peña J, Bañares R, Albillos A, Bosch J, García-Pagán JC Efficacy and Safety of Anticoagulation on Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Vein Thrombosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Jan 27; Authors: Delgado MG, Seijo S, Yepes I, Achécar L, Catalina MV, García-Criado A, Abraldes JG, de la Peña J, Bañares R, Albillos A, Bosch J, García-Pagán JC Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a frequent event in patients with cirrhosis; it can be treated with anticoagulants, but there is limited data regarding safety and efficacy of this approach. We evaluated this therapy in a large series of patients with cirrhosis and non-neoplastic PVT. METHODS: We analyzed data from 55 patients with cirrhosis and PVT, diagnosed from June 2003 to September 2010, who received anticoagulant therapy for acute or subacute thrombosis (n=31) or progression of previously known PVT (n=24). Patients with cavernomatous transformation were excluded. Thrombosis was diagnosed and recanalization was evaluated using Doppler ultrasound, angio-computed tomography, and/or angio-magnetic resonance imaging analyses. RESULTS: Partial or complete recanalization was achieved in 33 patients (60%; complete in 25). Early initiation of anticoagulation was the only factor significantly associated with recanalization. Rethrombosis after complete recanalization occurred in 38.5% of patients after anticoagulation therapy was stopped. Despite similar baseline characteristics, patients who achieved recanalization developed, during the follow-up period, less-frequent liver-related events (portal hypertension-related bleeding, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy), but this difference was not statistically significant (P=.1). Five patients developed bleeding complications that were probably related to anticoagulation. A platelet count <50x109/L was the only factor significantly associated with higher risk for experiencing a bleeding complication. There were no deaths related to anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulation is a relatively safe treatment that leads to partial or complete recanalization of the portal venous axis in 60% of patients with cirrhosis and PVT; it should be maintained indefinitely to prevent rethrombosis. PMID: 22289875 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Issue - nature.com science feeds

Transplantation: Potential of intestinal microbiota profile as a diagnostic biomarker of small bowel transplant rejection
Natalie J. Wood Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000
The need to identify a noninvasive marker that is predictive of intestinal allograft rejection may be a step closer to being met, thanks to the finding that small bowel transplant rejection is associated with changes in the intestinal microbiota.“The transplanted gut is a fascinating
Dyspepsia: Acotiamide can relieve symptoms of functional dyspepsia
Andy McLarnon Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0000
Symptoms of functional dyspepsia can be relieved by taking acotiamide, according to researchers from Japan. Patients in a phase III clinical trial had significantly decreased symptom severity compared with controls who took a placebo.“Functional dyspepsia is one of the most common disorders seen in
Transplantation: Expression levels of iron homeostasis genes predict liver gr Subscribe to Gastroenterology RSS feed