Self-Medication of Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Community Pharmacy Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 890-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Els Mehuys ◽  
Luc Van Bortel ◽  
Leen De Bolle ◽  
Inge Van Tongelen ◽  
Jean-Paul Remon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Postprandial Fullness ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Alarm Symptom ◽  
Pharmacist Counseling ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Background Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common reason for self-treatment with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. However, data are scarce on the typology of GI complaints for which individuals seek self-medication and, more importantly, on the prevalence of alarm symptoms in this population. Objective To investigate: (1) the nature of GI symptoms that people intend to self-medicate, (2) prevalence of alarm symptoms, (3) adherence to referral advice given by the pharmacist, and (4) self-reported efficacy and frequency of use of OTC medication for minor complaints. Methods This descriptive study was performed in 63 community pharmacies. Participants (N = 592, aged 18–82 y) completed a questionnaire to assess symptom characteristics and previous medical consulting. Based on this information, the pharmacist referred subjects to a physician or advised self-treatment. Four weeks later, participants were presented a follow-up questionnaire evaluating their adherence to referral advice or efficacy of self-treatment. Results The most frequently reported GI symptoms were burning retrosternal discomfort (49.2%), acid regurgitation (53.2%), and bothersome postprandial fullness (51.2%). At least one alarm symptom was present in 22.4% of the individuals, with difficulty in swallowing being the most prevalent (15.4%). Although 21% of the customers were referred, only 51.7% of these contacted a physician. Almost all (95.1%) of the remaining customers who were advised self-treatment reported symptom relief with the OTC drug obtained. Conclusions Mild GI symptoms will mostly resolve with self-treatment. Yet, the value of pharmacist counseling on OTC treatment should be recognized, as community pharmacists can play an important role in distinguishing symptoms that warrant further medical examination.

scholarly journals The management of upper gastrointestinal symptoms: A study on community pharmacies in Italy

Pharmacia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-409
Author(s):  
Enrico Keber ◽  
Paolo Rocco ◽  
Umberto M. Musazzi ◽  
Antonio M. Morselli-Labate ◽  
Nicolina P. Floris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Medication History ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Therapeutic Class ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
History Of ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are usual complaints among patients presenting to Italian community pharmacies. However, information on treatment history of those patients is often lacking. This descriptive, cross-sectional study aims at exploring the medication history of individuals with upper GI tract symptoms visiting one of the 20 enrolled community pharmacies, over a period of 7 months, based on the administration of a questionnaire. Of 1,020 interviewees, 62.1% had asked for a medical consultation. The most frequent symptom was epigastric burning (31.8%), followed by acid regurgitation (14.6%) and post-prandial fullness (12.0%). Of the 1,609 therapies, proton pump inhibitors constituted the most represented therapeutic class (35.6%) followed by antacids (17.5%) and alginate-based products (17.2%). In treating symptoms, 38.1% of the patients do not seek medical advice, while 42.0% rely on non-prescription therapies. As findings suggest, support to patients with GI disorders in community pharmacies can be enhanced for a safer self-medication.

scholarly journals How can we relieve gastrointestinal symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis? An international qualitative survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000614
Author(s):  
Sherie Smith ◽  
Nicola Rowbotham ◽  
Gwyneth Davies ◽  
Katie Gathercole ◽  
Sarah J Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
James Lind Alliance ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Almost All

IntroductionRelieving gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms was identified as a ‘top ten’ priority by our James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership in cystic fibrosis (CF). We conducted an online survey to find out more about the effect of GI symptoms in CF.MethodsWe co-produced an online survey distributed to the CF community via web-based platforms. The survey consisted of open and closed questions designed to help us learn more about the effects of GI symptoms for people with CF (pwCF). We analysed the data using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. We promoted the survey via social media and web-based platforms which allowed respondents from any country to take part. Our participants came from the CF community, including: adults and children with CF, parents and close family of pwCF and healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with pwCF.ResultsThere were 276 respondents: 90 (33%) pwCF, 79 (29%) family, 107 (39%) HCPs. The most commonly reported symptoms by lay respondents were stomach cramps/pain, bloating and a ‘combination of symptoms’. The top three symptoms that HCPs said were reported to them were reduced appetite, bloating and constipation. Almost all (94% (85/90)) HCPs thought medications helped to relieve GI symptoms but only 58% (82/141) of lay respondents agreed.ConclusionsOur survey has shown that GI symptoms among our participants are prevalent and intrude on daily lives of pwCF. There is a need for well-designed clinical studies to provide better evidence for management of GI symptoms and complications.

scholarly journals A New Strategy Using Rikkunshito to Treat Anorexia and Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yayoi Saegusa ◽  
Tomohisa Hattori ◽  
Miwa Nahata ◽  
Chihiro Yamada ◽  
Hiroshi Takeda
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Motility ◽  
Epigastric Pain ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction ◽  
Ghrelin Receptor ◽  
Postprandial Fullness ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Upper Abdominal ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Because the clinical condition of gastrointestinal dysfunction, including functional dyspepsia, involves tangled combinations of pathologies, there are some cases of insufficient curative efficacy. Thus, traditional herbal medicines (Kampo medicines) uniquely developed in Japan are thought to contribute to medical treatment for upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Rikkunshito is a Kampo medicine often used to treat dyspeptic symptoms. Over the past few years, several studies have investigated the efficacy of rikkunshito for dysmotility, for example, upper abdominal complaints, in animals and humans. Rikkunshito ameliorated the decrease in gastric motility and anorexia in cisplatin-treated rats, stress-loaded mice, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-treated rats by enhancing plasma ghrelin levels via serotonin2B/2Creceptor antagonism. In addition, rikkunshito ameliorated the decrease in food intake in aged mice and stress-loaded decreased gastric motility via enhanced ghrelin receptor signaling. Several clinical studies revealed that rikkunshito was effective in ameliorating upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including dyspepsia, epigastric pain, and postprandial fullness. In this review, we discuss these studies and propose additional evidence-based research that may promote the clinical use of Kampo medicines, particularly rikkunshito, for treating anorexia and gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Functional Dyspepsia and Gastroparesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 491-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Camilleri
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Emptying ◽  
Functional Dyspepsia ◽  
Delayed Gastric Emptying ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Mechanical Obstruction ◽  
Gastric Accommodation ◽  
Postprandial Fullness ◽  
Rumination Syndrome ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Background: Upper gastrointestinal disorders typically present with common symptoms. The most relevant non-mucosal diseases are gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia and rumination syndrome. The literature pertaining to these 3 conditions was reviewed. Key Messages: Gastroparesis is characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction of the stomach. The cardinal symptoms include postprandial fullness (early satiety), nausea, vomiting and bloating. The most frequently encountered causes of these symptoms are mechanical obstruction (pyloric stenosis), iatrogenic disease, gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, cyclical vomiting and rumination syndrome. The most common causes of gastroparesis are neuropathic disorders such as diabetes, idiopathic, post-vagotomy and scleroderma among myopathic disorders. Principles of management of gastroparesis include exclusion of mechanical obstruction with imaging and iatrogenic causes with careful medication and past surgical history. Prokinetics and anti-emetics are the mainstays of treatment. Functional dyspepsia is characterized by the same symptoms as gastroparesis; in addition to delayed gastric emptying, pathophysiological abnormalities include accelerated gastric emptying, impaired gastric accommodation and gastric or duodenal hypersensitivity to distension and nutrients. Novel treatments include tricyclic antidepressants in patients with normal gastric emptying, acotiamide (acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor) and 5-HT1A receptor agonists such as buspirone. Rumination syndrome is characterized by repetitive regurgitation of gastric contents occurring within minutes after a meal. Episodes often persist for 1-2 h after the meal, and the regurgitant consists of partially digested food that is recognizable in its taste. Regurgitation is typically effortless or preceded by a sensation of belching. This has been summarized as a ‘meal in, meal out, day in, day out' behavior for weeks or months, differentiating rumination from gastroparesis. Patients often have a background of psychological disorder or a prior eating disorder. Treatment is based on behavioral modification. Conclusion: Precise identification of the cause and pathophysiology of upper gastrointestinal symptoms is essential for optimal management.

scholarly journals A clinico-endoscopic study of upper GI disorders in rural population

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1111
Author(s):  
Ramesh Ainapure ◽  
Vishal Tanga
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Common Finding ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Oesophageal Varices ◽  
Early Management ◽  
Upper Gi ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Background: Upper gastrointestinal disorders are commonly seen in routine clinical practice. The definitive diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal disorders rest on endoscopic evaluation and biopsy if required for planning proper treatment. The objectives of the study were to determine the spectrum of disease in upper gastrointestinal tract and to establish endoscopy as an effective tool in the proper diagnosis of various upper gastrointestinal tract disorders.Methods: A prospective study was conducted among patients who presented with upper gastrointestinal symptoms at Gadag Institute Medical College, from August 2016 to August 2017, Gadag. After history taking and physical examination, patients were subjected to fibre-optic upper GI scopy.Results: The result of present study showed male predominance associated with the upper GI disorders. Gastritis (45.65%) was the most common finding followed by normal exam (17.39%), GERD (6.83%), oesophageal cancer (2.17), Oesophagitis (4.34), gastric ulcer (9.31%), and gastric cancer (3.10%), duodenitis (5.90%) and oesophageal varices at 5.27% Gastritis is the most common upper GI disorder seen the patient population.Conclusions: Upper GI endoscopy is an effective and appropriate approach for initial investigation to assess patients with GI symptoms. Thus, it helps early management gastric disorders.

scholarly journals Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms in General Population of a District in Bangladesh

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-88
Author(s):  
Irin Perveen ◽  
Mufti Munsurar Rahman ◽  
Madhusudan Saha
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Upper Gi ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Number Frequency ◽  
Symptom Prevalence ◽  
Upper Abdominal ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common complaints affecting 25--40% of the general population and are common causes of health care utilisation and substantially affect the quality of life. In day-to-day practice our clinicians have to face good number of patients with various upper GI symptoms. But we have limited data on the prevalence of different upper GI symptoms in our community. Objective: The present study aimed to find out the prevalence of different upper GI symptoms in the general population of a district in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This population-based observational study was conducted in a selected district of Bangladesh. Three thousand subjects selected by cluster sampling method were interviewed by a valid bowel disease questionnaire. Student’s t test and chi-square tests were used for comparison of different variables with significance level set at 0.05. Results: Among the study population 1523 were men and 1477 were women with a mean age of 33.91 ± 16.43 years. A total of 2273 (75.8%) persons had at least one upper GI symptom, 2072 (69.1%) had 2 or more symptoms and 1705 (56.8%) had 3 or more symptoms in the prior 3 months. Nine hundred sixty three subjects (32.1%) had upper abdominal pain, 1265 (42.16%) had bloating, 1354 (45.13%) had heart-burn, 1166 (38.87%) had chest pain, 1347 (44.9%) had early satiation and 258 (8.6%) had vomiting. Around 249 (8.3%, male 123, female 126, P=0.691) was diagnosed as functional dyspepsia, 187 (6.2%, male 82, female 105, P=0.059) as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and 55 (1.83%, male 27, female 28, P=0.892) as upper abdominal bloating. Only one woman fulfilled the criteria for functional gallbladder or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Approximately 40.56% dyspeptic patients had overlapping GERD symptoms. Symptom prevalence was found to decrease with increased number, frequency and duration of symptoms. Conclusion: Upper GI symptoms are prevalent in our community. Multiple upper GI symptoms do exist simultaneously. Symptom prevalence varies with number, frequency and duration of symptoms. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v4i2.19458 J Enam Med Col 2014; 4(2): 79--88

scholarly journals Investigation of oral, gastric, and duodenal microbiota in patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 870-877
Author(s):  
Jorge Cervantes ◽  
Majd Michael ◽  
Bo-Young Hong ◽  
Aden Springer ◽  
Hua Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
Upper Gi ◽  
Functional Gi Disorders ◽  
Gi Symptoms ◽  
Dyspeptic Symptoms ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal ◽  
Gastric Microbiota

Disease-associated alterations of the intestinal microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, have been well described in several functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Several studies have described alterations in the gastric microbiota in functional dyspepsia, but very few have looked at the duodenum.Here, we explored the upper GI tract microbiota of inpatients with upper GI dyspeptic symptoms, and compared them to achalasia controls, as there is no indication for an esophagogastroduodenoscopy in healthy individuals.We found differences in the microbiota composition at the three sites evaluated (ie, saliva, stomach and duodenum). Changes observed in patients with dyspepsia included an increase in Veillonella in saliva, an oral shift in the composition of the gastric microbiota, and to some degree in the duodenum as well, where an important abundance of anaerobes was observed. Metabolic function prediction identified greater anaerobic metabolism in the stomach microbial community of patients with dyspepsia. Proton pump inhibitor use was not associated with any particular genus. Co-abundance analysis revealed Rothia as the main hub in the duodenum, a genus that significantly correlated with the relative abundance of Clostridium, Haemophilus, and Actinobacillus.We conclude that patients with upper GI symptoms consistent with dyspepsia have alterations in the microbiota of saliva, the stomach, and duodenum, which could contribute to symptoms of functional GI disorders.

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