Neurogastroenterology and motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract represent a complex and heterogeneous group of conditions that involve the interaction between the GI tract and the central nervous system. They constitute a significant number of outpatient gastroenterology visits, resulting in a high healthcare burden. These disorders often occur in the absence of identifiable structural causes on routine endoscopy and radiological imaging. A more targeted approach in the assessment of functional GI disorders is increasingly being integrated into routine clinical practice, given the recent advancements in technology and physiologic testing. When used in the appropriate clinical context, these tests not only elucidate the physiological basis for the patient's symptoms, but also prevent inappropriate treatment and repeated investigations. This review aims to summarise the advances in clinically available diagnostic tools for the evaluation of upper GI functional disorders.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/physiopathology* ; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract/physiopathology* ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of the present study was to investigate the challenges faced by physicians during shift handovers in a university hospital that has a high handover sender/recipient ratio.

METHODSA multifaceted approach was adopted, comprising recording and analysis of handover information, rating of handover quality, and shadowing of handover recipients. Data was collected at the general medical ward of a university hospital in Singapore for a period of three months. Handover information transfer (i.e. senders' and recipients' verbal communication, and recipients' handwritten notes) and handover environmental factors were analysed. The relationship between 'to-do' tasks, and information transfer, handover quality and handover duration, were examined using analysis of variance.

RESULTSVerbal handovers for 152 patients were observed; handwritten notes on 102 (67.1%) patients and handover quality ratings for the handovers of 98 (64.5%) patients were collected. Although there was good task prioritisation (information transfer: p < 0.005, handover duration: p < 0.01), incomplete information transfer and poor implementation of nonmodifiable identifiers were observed. The high sender/recipient ratio of the hospital made face-to-face and/or bedside handover difficult to implement. Although the current handover method (i.e. use of telephone communication), allowed interactive communication, it resulted in systemic information loss due to the lack of written information. The handover environment was chaotic in the high sender/recipient ratio setting, and the physicians had no designated handover time or location.

CONCLUSIONHandovers in high sender/recipient ratio settings are challenging. Efforts should be made to improve the handover processes in such situations, so that patient care is not compromised.

Adult ; Communication ; Continuity of Patient Care ; Data Collection ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Male ; Patient Handoff ; Patient Safety ; Physicians ; Singapore ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-celiac gluten sensitivity has been increasingly recognized as a predisposing factor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms in Western populations where celiac disease (CD) is relatively common. In Asia where CD is rare, we wish to determine the prevalence of gluten protein associated serology in IBS patients, which has not been formally studied, and its relation to histological and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers. METHODS: We reviewed a consecutive cohort of Asian patients with IBS, who had undergone serologic testing for IgA against deamidated gliadin peptide antibodies (IgA DGP) and IgA anti-endomysium antibodies, and who also had duodenal biopsies during clinical workup. In addition, a subset of Chinese patients with positive serology was further tested for HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8. RESULTS: Of 186 patients, 34 (18%) were positive for IgA DGP; bloating, abdominal pain, belching and diarrhea were the most commonly reported symptoms but diarrhea as the most bothersome symptom was significantly more common in IgA DGP positive patients. Mildly increased intra-epithelial lymphocytes on duodenal biopsy was also more common (29% vs. 9%, P = 0.001). Nine of 21 Chinese patients tested as IgA DGP positive undertook HLA-DQ2/DQ8 testing, with only 2 being positive for HLA-DQ8. All patients with positive IgA DGP reported symptom improvement with gluten withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: We have described a series of Asian, mainly Chinese, patients with IBS who were tested positive for IgA DGP, and improved on a gluten exclusion diet. We believe this is the first report of non-celiac gluten sensitivity in Asia, a region where CD is uncommon.
Abdominal Pain ; Antibodies* ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Biopsy ; Causality ; Celiac Disease ; Cohort Studies ; Diarrhea ; Diet ; Eructation ; Gliadin* ; Glutens ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome* ; Leukocytes ; Lymphocytes ; Prevalence* ; Serologic Tests