Chronic Diarrhea (chronic + diarrhea)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Chronic diarrhea: To scope or not to scope?

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 3 2001
Jean-Paul Achkar M.D.
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Multicenter randomized controlled trial of heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB in patients with chronic diarrhea

JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 4 2002
Shu Dong XIAO
OBJECTIVE: Chronic diarrhea is a common bowel disorder, and disturbance of intestinal microorganisms may play a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of lyophilized heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB compared with living lactobacilli in the treatment of chronic diarrhea. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with chronic diarrhea were randomly allocated to receive either a 4-week course of two capsules of Lacteol Fort twice a day as the Lacteol group (69 patients completed the course) or a 4-week course of five chewable tablets of Lacidophilin three times a day as the Lacidophilin group (64 patients completed the course). The frequency of stools was recorded quantitatively and the semiquantitative parameters such as stool consistency, abdominal pain, distension and feeling of incomplete evacuation were evaluated. RESULTS: At the second and fourth week of the treatment, the mean bowel frequency was significantly lower in the Lacteol group than in the Lacidophilin group (1.88 ± 1.24 vs 2.64 ± 1.12, 1.39 ± 0.92 vs 2.19 ± 1.05, respectively; P < 0.05). At the end of the treatment, the clinical symptoms were markedly improved in the Lacteol group. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus acidophilus LB is more effective than living lactobacilli in the treatment of chronic diarrhea. [source]


Evaluation of the use of coconut to treat chronic diarrhea in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
J.L. Wilk
Abstract Background, Chronic diarrhea can be challenging to manage in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) leading to ongoing diagnostics, medications, monitoring, and potential euthanasia. Coconut has been used as a dietary supplement for people with inflammatory bowel disease, with anecdotal reports of decreased diarrhea following the dietary addition. A dietary trial in rhesus macaques was initiated to evaluate the hypothesis that dietary coconut decreases symptoms of chronic diarrhea in rhesus macaques. Methods, Ten rhesus macaques with chronic diarrhea were selected for the trial. Five of the subjects were fed coconut macaroons and five of the subjects were fed a sham cookie. Stool consistency was monitored daily for both groups. Results and conclusions, Data of chi-squared analysis obtained from eight rhesus macaques with chronic diarrhea showed that the use of coconut macaroons as a dietary supplement did not have a statistically significant effect on their diarrhea. [source]


Prevalence and Correlates of Fecal Incontinence in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 4 2005
Patricia S. Goode MD
Objectives: To determine prevalence and correlates of fecal incontinence in older community-dwelling adults. Design: A cross-sectional, population-based survey. Setting: Participants interviewed at home in three rural and two urban counties in Alabama from 1999 to 2001. Participants: The University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging enlisted 1,000 participants from the state Medicare beneficiary lists. The sample was selected to include 25% black men, 25% white men, 25% black women, and 25% white women. Measurements: The survey included sociodemographic information, medical conditions, health behaviors, life-space assessment (mobility), and self-reported health status. Fecal incontinence was defined as an affirmative response to the question "In the past year, have you had any loss of control of your bowels, even a small amount that stained the underwear?" Severity was classified as mild if reported less than once a month and moderate to severe if reported once a month or greater. Results: The prevalence of fecal incontinence in the sample was 12.0% (12.4% in men, 11.6% in women; P=.33). Mean age±standard deviation was 75.3±6.7 and ranged from 65 to 106. In a forward stepwise logistic regression analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with the presence of fecal incontinence in women: chronic diarrhea (odds ratio (OR)=4.55, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.03,10.20), urinary incontinence (OR=2.65, 95% CI=1.34,5.25), hysterectomy with ovary removal (OR=1.93, 95% CI=1.06,3.54), poor self-perceived health status (OR=1.88, 95% CI=1.01,3.50), and higher Charlson comorbidity score (OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.07,1.55). The following factors were significantly associated with fecal incontinence in men: chronic diarrhea (OR=6.08, 95% CI=2.29,16.16), swelling in the feet and legs (OR=3.49, 95% CI=1.80,6.76), transient ischemic attack/ministroke (OR=3.11, 95% CI=1.30,7.41), Geriatric Depression Scale score greater than 5 (OR=2.83, 95% CI=1.27,6.28), living alone (OR=2.38, 95% CI=1.23,4.62), prostate disease (OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.04,5.02), and poor self-perceived health (OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.13,4.20). The following were found to be associated with increased frequency of fecal incontinence in women: chronic diarrhea (OR=6.39, 95% CI=2.25,18.14), poor self-perceived health (OR=5.37, 95% CI=1.75,16.55), and urinary incontinence (OR=4.96, 95% CI=1.41,17.43). In men, chronic diarrhea (OR=5.38, 95% CI=1.77,16.30), poor self-perceived health (OR=3.91, 95% CI=1.39,11.02), lower extremity swelling (OR=2.86, 95% CI=1.20,6.81), and decreased assisted life-space mobility (OR=0.73, 95% CI=0.49,0.80) were associated with more frequent fecal incontinence. Conclusion: In community-dwelling older adults, fecal incontinence is a common condition associated with chronic diarrhea, multiple health problems, and poor self-perceived health. Fecal incontinence should be included in the review of systems for older patients. [source]


Multicenter randomized controlled trial of heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB in patients with chronic diarrhea

JOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 4 2002
Shu Dong XIAO
OBJECTIVE: Chronic diarrhea is a common bowel disorder, and disturbance of intestinal microorganisms may play a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy of lyophilized heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB compared with living lactobacilli in the treatment of chronic diarrhea. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with chronic diarrhea were randomly allocated to receive either a 4-week course of two capsules of Lacteol Fort twice a day as the Lacteol group (69 patients completed the course) or a 4-week course of five chewable tablets of Lacidophilin three times a day as the Lacidophilin group (64 patients completed the course). The frequency of stools was recorded quantitatively and the semiquantitative parameters such as stool consistency, abdominal pain, distension and feeling of incomplete evacuation were evaluated. RESULTS: At the second and fourth week of the treatment, the mean bowel frequency was significantly lower in the Lacteol group than in the Lacidophilin group (1.88 ± 1.24 vs 2.64 ± 1.12, 1.39 ± 0.92 vs 2.19 ± 1.05, respectively; P < 0.05). At the end of the treatment, the clinical symptoms were markedly improved in the Lacteol group. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus acidophilus LB is more effective than living lactobacilli in the treatment of chronic diarrhea. [source]


Mesalazine with or without cholestyramine in the treatment of microscopic colitis: Randomized controlled trial

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
Carlo Calabrese
Abstract Background:, Collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon with a benign and sometimes relapsing course. Frequency among patients with chronic diarrhea and normal looking colonoscopy is around 10,15%. To date, treatment of CC and LC is not well defined. Data about these conditions are mostly derived from retrospective studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the response to treatment and the clinical course of CC and LC in a large group of patients prospectively diagnosed. Methods and Results:, A total of 819 patients underwent a colonoscopy because of chronic watery diarrhea and among them we found 41 patients with LC and 23 with CC. These patients were later randomized and assigned to treatment with mesalazine or mesalazine + cholestyramine for 6 months. Fifty-four patients (84.37%) had resolved diarrhea in less than 2 weeks. After 6 months a colonoscopy with biopsies was repeated. Clinical and histological remission was achieved in 85.36% of patients with LC and in 91.3% with CC, with a better result in patients with CC treated with mesalazine + cholestyramine. During a mean period of 44.9 months, 13% of patients relapsed; four with LC and three with CC. They were retreated for another 6 months. At the end of this period one patient with CC was still symptomatic and persistence of CC was confirmed at histology. Conclusions:, Treatment with mesalazine seems to be an effective therapeutic option for LC to date, while mesalazine + cholestyramine seems to be more useful in the treatment of CC. [source]


Wireless capsule endoscopy: Experience in a tropical country

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004
PVJ SRIRAM
Abstract Background and Aim:, Capsule endoscopy is fast becoming the procedure of choice for small bowel imaging, especially to investigate the cause of unexplained gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We report our experience with capsule endoscopy in 24 cases with various indications. Methods:, In patients with unexplained GI bleeding or chronic anemia, the cause could be established in nine of 12 cases (75%), which included angioectasiae, leiomyomata and parasitic infestation. Results:, The yield of capsule endoscopy was highest in patients presenting with chronic diarrhea and suspicion of small bowel mucosal disease, where Crohn's disease and tuberculosis could be diagnosed. However, in patients with unexplained abdominal pain, capsule endoscopy was found to be least useful because 5/7 patients in the study were normal, emphasizing the importance of case selection. Overall, capsule endoscopy yielded a positive diagnosis in 16 of the 24 cases (66.6%). Conclusions:, The experience of capsule endoscopy in a tropical clinical setting is no different from elsewhere, although certain conditions like worm infestation are more likely to be detected in this environment. [source]


Evaluation of the use of coconut to treat chronic diarrhea in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2008
J.L. Wilk
Abstract Background, Chronic diarrhea can be challenging to manage in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) leading to ongoing diagnostics, medications, monitoring, and potential euthanasia. Coconut has been used as a dietary supplement for people with inflammatory bowel disease, with anecdotal reports of decreased diarrhea following the dietary addition. A dietary trial in rhesus macaques was initiated to evaluate the hypothesis that dietary coconut decreases symptoms of chronic diarrhea in rhesus macaques. Methods, Ten rhesus macaques with chronic diarrhea were selected for the trial. Five of the subjects were fed coconut macaroons and five of the subjects were fed a sham cookie. Stool consistency was monitored daily for both groups. Results and conclusions, Data of chi-squared analysis obtained from eight rhesus macaques with chronic diarrhea showed that the use of coconut macaroons as a dietary supplement did not have a statistically significant effect on their diarrhea. [source]


Quantitative evaluation of Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected rhesus monkeys

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
K. Sestak
Abstract: The association of the microsporidia Enterocytozoon bieneusi with chronic diarrhea and wasting in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been demonstrated. The disease caused by E. bieneusi has been linked to decreased levels of circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the extent of excretion of E. bieneusi in feces of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected juvenile macaques and the CD4+ T lymphocyte counts in the peripheral blood. Twelve juvenile rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were intravenously inoculated with the pathogenic molecular clone SIVmac239. Numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes were assessed by three-color flow cytometry. The presence of E. bieneusi DNA in feces was assessed by nested PCR. In addition, selected samples of feces were examined by competitive quantitative PCR to assess the level of E. bieneusi infection. Low (n = 5) to undetectable (n = 7) quantities of E. bieneusi were present in feces of the twelve animals in prior to inoculation with SIV. After SIV inoculation the number of animals shedding E. bieneusi increased (n = 10) as did the quantity of E. bieneusi shedding in the feces. Of the twelve juvenile animals, five animals died within 8 months post-SIV inoculation with symptoms of AIDS. Four of the five deceased animals showed shedding of E. bieneusi DNA in feces (,100 spores/g) for at least three consecutive months. Increased number of E. bieneusi in feces was accompanied by decreased counts of circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes and increased SIV plasma viral load. [source]


Frequent IgE sensitization to latex, cow's milk, and egg in children with short bowel syndrome

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Angel Mazon
Children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) undergo frequent operations, so they are at risk for sensitizing to latex. There have been isolated reports of sensitization to food in these children. In a cross-sectional study, we assessed sensitization to latex, cow's milk, and egg with skin prick tests (SPT) and serum-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 14 children with SBS. Data were collected about the number of operations with latex devices, serum total IgE, and history of feeding with milk formula. Ten children were sensitized to latex (specific IgE median: 6.7 kU/l, range: 0.5,33). Compared with those non-sensitized, sensitized children had significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of serum total IgE in z-units (mean rank 3.25 vs. 9.2, respectively), and more operations with latex devices (mean rank 3.75 vs. 9). Eight children were sensitized to cow's milk, one with only positive SPT, the other seven with serum-specific IgE (median: 3.5, range: 0.5,21.1 kU/l), and five to egg (specific IgE median: 0.68, range: 0.58,2.17 kU/l). Except for some isolated days with cow's milk formula, the children had been initially fed with a diet without intact cow's milk proteins. Sensitization to latex, cow's milk, and egg is very frequent in children with SBS. They should be treated in a latex-free environment since the very early stages of the disease, and should be routinely studied regarding food sensitization, as this might contribute as an added factor in the chronic diarrhea of these patients. [source]


Infantile Crohn Disease Presenting with Diarrhea and Pyoderma Gangrenosum

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
James G. H. Dinulos M.D.
We describe an infant with chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive who developed extensive ulcerations in the inguinal folds and perineum that were initially thought to be exclusively caused by local irritation. A cutaneous examination found signs consistent with those of pyoderma gangrenosum, leading to a diagnosis of infantile Crohn disease. Cutaneous signs can lead to the diagnosis of an underlying systemic disease in infants with chronic diarrhea and rash. Prompt diagnosis is especially important in infantile Crohn disease, since many infants require surgical resection of affected bowel, and 60% die from disease complications. This article reports a rare instance of an infant who developed pyoderma gangrenosum due to Crohn disease and reviews cutaneous signs of systemic disease in infants presenting with chronic diarrhea and rash. [source]


Arterial-venous fistulas following pediatric liver transplant case studies

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2007
Kathleen Falkenstein
Abstract:, AV fistula is a rare but serious complication following pediatric liver transplant and may lead to graft loss. Our aim was to describe two pediatric centers' experience with the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of children who presented with AV fistulas post-liver transplantation We report five cases of late arterio-portal fistula following liver transplantation. Four children were successfully treated with coil embolization. All of the children in this series had liver biopsies within 2,6 months of their AV fistula diagnosis. All biopsies were performed using a Bard Monopty 18 gauge needle with no ultrasound guidance and only one pass per biopsy. Two children also had PTC 4,8 months prior to their diagnosis of AV fistula. Three of the five children in this series had GI bleeds requiring banding or sclerotherapy. The other two had varices found on CT scan. All five cases in this series had ascites on their initial presentation. Four out of the five children had a history of non-compliance and the other child had a history of malabsorption and chronic diarrhea. [source]


Development of multiple food allergies in children taking tacrolimus after heart and liver transplantation

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2006
Öner Özdemir
Abstract: Angioedema and chronic diarrhea in patients taking immunosuppressants are not always because of side effects and could be a new onset of food allergy. Our aim is to discuss the pathogenesis and treatment of the post-transplant development of food allergies. The first patient was receiving tacrolimus subsequent to heart transplantation and developed angioedema after consumption of dairy products at 12 months after transplantation. He was found to be allergic to multiple foods by both RAST and ImmunoCAP tests. The second patient with argininosuccinic aciduria, post-liver transplant, also received tacrolimus and developed chronic non-mucoid/bloody diarrhea at seven months following transplantation. ImmunoCAP test was positive only for egg white and peanuts. Biopsy showed eosinophilic infiltration of the mucosa from the stomach to the rectum. Elimination diets in both patients resolved the symptoms. These cases suggest a direct relationship between tacrolimus and development of food allergy. [source]