Objective: We investigated the association between catastrophizing with regard to numbness and pain, subjective symptoms, upper extremity function, and disability in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Method: We evaluated catastrophizing (pain catastrophizing scale [PCS] total score, rumination, helplessness, magnification), subjective symptoms of numbness and pain, upper extremity function, and disability in patients with hematological malignancy and gastrointestinal cancer who developed upper extremity CIPN. We calculated the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to determine the strength of the association. Result: A significant association was observed between catastrophizing and disability; however, upper extremity function was not significantly association with catastrophizing. Based on the PCS subscale scores, only rumination was significantly association with subjective symptoms. Conclusion: Functional assessment and approaches may not be sufficient to improve the activities of daily living in cancer patients with upper extremity CIPN, and assessment and approaches to cognitive aspects, such as catastrophizing, should also be considered.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Magnesium oxide (MgO) has been frequently used as a treatment for chronic constipation (CC) since the 1980s in Japan. The aim of this study is to evaluate its therapeutic effects of MgO in Japanese CC patients. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Thirty-four female patients with mild to moderate constipation were randomly assigned to either placebo (n = 17) or MgO group (n = 17) 0.5 g × 3/day for 28 days. Primary endpoint was overall improvement over the 4-week study period. Secondary endpoints were changes from baseline in spontaneous bowel movement (SBM), response rates of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM), stool form, colonic transit time (CTT), abdominal symptom, and quality of life. RESULTS: One patient failed to complete the medication regimen and was omitted from analysis: data from 16 placebo and 17 MgO patients were analyzed. The primary endpoint was met by 25.0% of placebo vs 70.6% of MgO group (P = 0.015). MgO significantly improved SBM changes compared to placebo (P = 0.002). However, MgO did not significantly improved response rates of CSBM compared to placebo (P = 0.76). In addition, MgO significantly improved Bristol stool form scale changes (P < 0.001) and significantly improved CTT compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001). MgO significantly improved the Japanese version of the patient assessment of constipation quality of life (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Our placebo-controlled study demonstrated that MgO was effective treatment for improving defecation status and shortened CTT in Japanese CC patients with mild to moderate symptoms.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Colon ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Japan ; Magnesium Oxide ; Magnesium ; Quality of Life ; Therapeutic Uses

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When a person is experiencing stress, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) can modulate gut physiologies, such as visceral sensation or gastrointestinal motility, and its intravenous administration mimics stress-induced physiological changes. However, the influence of CRH on the esophagus is yet unknown. Accordingly, we investigated whether intravenous CRH administration increases esophageal sensitivity to electrical stimulation in healthy Japanese subjects. METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects were recruited. We quantified the initial perception threshold (IPT) every 15 minutes after CRH injection. Venous blood was collected with a cannula, and both plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured at pre-stimulation, 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. The results from each time point were compared against a baseline IPT obtained before electrical stimulation was initiated. RESULTS: When compared to the baseline IPT value (16.9 ± 4.5), CRH significantly decreased electrical threshold of the esophagus at 30, 45, 60, 75 minutes (14.1 ± 4.2, 13.1 ± 5.0, 12.1 ± 5.7, 14.0 ± 5.8 minutes, P < 0.01, respectively) after CRH injection, suggesting that CRH increased esophageal sensitivity to the electrical stimulus. CRH also significantly increased plasma ACTH levels at 30 minutes (50.3 ± 17.7, P < 0.01), and cortisol levels at 30 minutes (22.0 ± 6.7 minutes, P < 0.01) and 60 minutes (20.3 ± 6.7 minutes, P < 0.01) after CRH injection, when compared to the pre-stimulation ACTH and cortisol values. CONCLUSION: Intravenous CRH administration increased esophageal electrical sensitivity in normal subjects, emphasizing the important role of stress in esophageal sensitivity.
Administration, Intravenous ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Catheters ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Electric Stimulation ; Esophagus ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Plasma ; Sensation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric motility abnormalities have been considered to be pathophysiological features of functional dyspepsia (FD) that are closely related to dyspepsia symptoms, especially postprandial distress syndrome (PDS). The aims of this study are to (1) investigate the prevalence of gastric motility disorders and (2) evaluate the association between gastric motility abnormalities and dyspeptic symptoms using gastric scintigraphy in the PDS type of FD. METHODS: Forty healthy subjects and 94 PDS type FD patients were enrolled in the study. The volunteers and patients ingested a radiolabeled (technetium-99m) solid test meal, and scintigraphic images were recorded. Gastric accommodation and emptying were assessed by scintigraphic imaging. The patients’ dyspeptic symptoms were also explored using self-completed symptom questionnaires with 10 variables (4 scales, 0–3 points) at the same time. RESULTS: In 94 Japanese FD patients, the prevalence of impaired gastric accommodation and delayed emptying were 14.9% (14/94) and 10.6% (10/94), respectively. Gastric motility abnormalities were seen in 25.5% (24/94) of FD patients. There was no association between gastric motility abnormalities and dyspeptic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric motility abnormalities were seen in 25.5% of Japanese PDS type FD patients. However, there was no association between gastric motility abnormalities and dyspeptic symptoms on gastric scintigraphy.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Dyspepsia* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Meals ; Prevalence* ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Stomach ; Volunteers ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies are available that have investigated the risk factors for overlapping irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms in patients with inactive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The present study has 3 objectives: (1) to assess the prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in Japanese patients with inactive IBD using Rome III criteria, (2) to examine the relationship of IBS-like symptoms to health related quality of life (HR-QOL), and (3) to investigate associations for developing IBS-like symptoms in patients with inactive IBD. METHODS: IBS-like symptoms were evaluated using the Rome III questionnaire for functional gastrointestinal disorders. HR-QOL and hospital anxiety and depression scale were evaluated. RESULTS: IBS-like symptoms were found in 17.5% (7/40) of patients with inactive ulcerative colitis, 27.1% (29/107) of patients with inactive Crohn’s disease (CD), and 5.3% (23/438) of healthy control subjects. The QOL level was significantly lower and anxiety score was significantly higher in inactive CD patients with IBS-like symptoms than in those without such symptoms (P = 0.003, P = 0.009). Use of anti-anxiety drugs was associated with the presence of IBS symptoms (P = 0.045). HR-QOL score was lower and anxiety score was higher in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IBS-like symptoms in inactive IBD patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls. Inactive CD patients with IBS-like symptoms has low QOL and anxiety; suggesting that anxiety may be associated with symptom development in such patients.
Anti-Anxiety Agents ; Anxiety ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Depression ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Prevalence* ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although chronic constipation is a common symptom, to date no international consensus has been reached regarding its definition. The aims of this study were (1) to investigate defecation habits and (2) to examine the prevalence of constipation using the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine (JSIM) and the Rome III criteria using an online survey. METHODS: An online questionnaire composed of items on the frequency, interval, form of defecation, the management, and self-recognition of constipation (reference standard of constipation) was created. A total of 5155 valid responses were received. In addition, constipation symptoms were evaluated through a survey using the JSIM and the Rome III criteria. RESULTS: In the internet survey, 28.4% of the respondents considered themselves to be constipated. Stratified by sex, significantly more females (37.5%) than males (19.1%) considered themselves to be constipated (P < 0.001). The prevalence of constipation among the respondents was 28.0% using the Rome III, but only 10.1% using the JSIM. The diagnostic accuracy was 73.2% for the Rome III and 78.1% for the JSIM, while the diagnostic specificity was 81.1% for the Rome III and 97.5% for the JSIM. However, the diagnostic sensitivities for both measures were low, at 52.2% and 29.2% for the Rome III and the JSIM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The online survey developed for this study was able to provide clarification regarding defecation patterns. The results also suggest a discrepancy between the self-recognized prevalence of constipation in Japan and prevalence of constipation based on the JSIM criteria.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Consensus ; Constipation* ; Defecation ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Internet* ; Japan ; Male ; Prevalence* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Noxious stimuli in the esophagus activate nociceptive receptors on esophageal mucosa, such as transient receptor potential, acid-sensing ion channel and the P2X family, a family of ligand-gated ion channels responsive to ATP, and this generates signals that are transmitted to the central nervous system via either spinal nerves or vagal nerves, resulting in esophageal sensation. Among the noxious stimuli, gastric acid and other gastric contents are clinically most important, causing typical reflux symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. A conventional acid penetration theory has been used to explain the mechanism of heartburn, but much recent evidence does not support this theory. Therefore, it may be necessary to approach the causes of heartburn symptoms from a new conceptual framework. Hypersensitivity of the esophagus, like that of other visceral organs, includes peripheral, central and probably psychosocial factor-mediated hypersensitivity, and is known to play crucial roles in the pathoegenesis of nonerosive reflux disease, functional heartburn and non-cardiac chest pain. There also are esophagitis patients who do not perceive typical symptoms. This condition is known as silent gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although the pathogenesis of silent gastroesophageal reflux disease is still not known, hyposensitivity to reflux of acid may possibly explain the condition.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Central Nervous System ; Chest Pain ; Esophagitis ; Esophagus ; Gastric Acid ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Heartburn ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Ion Channels ; Ligand-Gated Ion Channels ; Mucous Membrane ; Nociceptors ; Sensation ; Spinal Nerves

Fourteen patients with 22 solitary aneurysms of the iliac artery were operated in a 16-year period (1983 to 1999). Patients were divided into two groups. The non-ruptured group consisted of 6 patients who underwent surgical intervention before aneurysm rupture, and their mean age was 78.5 years. The ruptured group consisted of 8 patients who underwent surgical intervention for aneurysm rupture, with a mean age of 68.5 years. Although seven patients underwent emergency surgery for aneurysm rupture, less than half of them were operated upon within 24hr after the onset of aneurysm rupture. The average size of aneurysms was similar in the two groups (common iliac artery aneurysms: non-ruptured 47mm vs. ruptured 44mm in diameter, internal iliac artery aneurysms: non-ruptured 55mm vs. ruptured 55mm). Two patients died in the ruptured group, in which the operative mortality rate was 25%. Six patients (75%) of the ruptured group had hypovolemic shock, and two of them died during surgical repair. Of the patients with shock, two patients had intestinal ischemia after operation. Intestinal ischemia was one of the serious complications of ruptured iliac aneurysms. These results suggest that in patients with shock from ruptured iliac artery aneurysms, strategy for treatment is an important determinant of the outcome.

A 61-year-old woman was admitted with abdominal and low back pain. The patient underwent graft replacement for inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm. One month postoperatively, the patient fell into hypovolemic shock with massive melena and hematemesis. Laparotomy and duodenotomy revealed a fistula between the third portion of the duodenum and the distal anastomosis of the vascular prosthesis. The fistula of the aorta was repaired with omentopexy, gastrojejunostomy and Braun's anastomosis. One month later, aortoduodenal fistula recurred. The vascular prosthesis was partially removed and the aorta was closed at the infrarenal level. After the closure of the posterior duodenal defect, a left axillo-femoral bypass was constructed. She fully recovered and discharged.

A 51-year-old man underwent arch replacement for a thoracic aortic succular aneurysm in December 1996. The pathological examination indicated aortitis to be the cause of the aneurysm. At that time we did not surgically treat the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) which was only 32mm in diameter. Sixteen months after the first operation, he complained of a pulsatile tumor in his left leg. Angiography revealed an aneurysm of the left superficial femoral artery. The artery distal to the aneurysm was occluded, and the left popliteal artery received collateral blood flow from the deep femoral artery. The size of the AAA increased to 48mm, an indication of repair. Aneurysmectomy of the left superficial femoral artery and replacement of the abdominal aorta were performed simultaneously. The operative findings showed that the aneurysm of the left superficial femoral artery had been ruptured and formed a pseudoaneurysm. The pathological findings demonstrated both aneurysm aortitis. After the second operation, he was given steroid therapy to control the inflammatory reaction and he has been well for one year.