(A) The Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) is a useful tool to evaluate bowel habit. The BSFS has been shown to be a reliable surrogate marker for colonic transit. (B) IBS subtypes should be established according to stool consistency, using the BSFS. IBS subtyping is more accurate when patients have at least 4 days of abnormal bowel habits per month. Bowel habit subtypes should be based on BSFS for days with abnormal bowel habits. Reprinted from Gastroenterology, 150(6), Lacy BE, Mearin F, Chang L, et al, Bowel disorders, 1393, copyright (2016), with permission from Elsevier.⁸

(A) The Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) is a useful tool to evaluate bowel habit. The BSFS has been shown to be a reliable surrogate marker for colonic transit. (B) IBS subtypes should be established according to stool consistency, using the BSFS. IBS subtyping is more accurate when patients have at least 4 days of abnormal bowel habits per month. Bowel habit subtypes should be based on BSFS for days with abnormal bowel habits. Reprinted from Gastroenterology, 150(6), Lacy BE, Mearin F, Chang L, et al, Bowel disorders, 1393, copyright (2016), with permission from Elsevier.⁸

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits. It is the most common GI problem seen by gastroenterologists. IBS is a heterogenous disorder encompassing a spectrum of underlying mechanisms and clinical presentations. The pathophysiology o...

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... 37 In March 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning regarding an increased risk of severe pancreatitis in patients receiving eluxadoline treatment without a gallbladder. 38 Additionally, a case of ischaemic colitis was reported, with colonoscopy and histological examination revealing colonic ischaemia involving the entire length of colon. 39 Our study found the risk of ischaemic colitis associated with eluxadoline to be ROR=19. ...
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... High-fat meals can slow gastric emptying and increase gut motility, triggering abdominal discomfort and diarrhea in some individuals (81). Similarly, alcohol and caffeine, known irritants of the gastrointestinal tract, can aggravate IBS symptoms by promoting bowel irregularities and increasing sensitivity in the gut (82). Furthermore, emerging research has also highlighted the potential role of gut microbiota in the dietary management of IBS. ...
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... While µ-opioid receptor activation slows intestinal transit and reduces gastrointestinal secretion, δ-opioid receptor antagonism weakens these effects. Consequently, bowel function is normalized, producing an effect more similar to the natural physiological activity of the colon, unlike the effects of non-antagonized µ-opioid receptor agonists such as loperamide [32]. Eluxadoline alleviates overall IBS-D symptoms, though its therapeutic effect is more pronounced in reducing diarrhea than in alleviating other general complaints. ...
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and chronic bowel disease which, although it does not lead to severe and permanent complications, significantly deteriorates patients' quality of life. It constitutes a considerable psychological burden for them and also represents a significant socio-economic problem for the healthcare system. Although the cause of the disease is complex and still not fully understood, the update of the Rome criteria has led to significant progress in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and researching alternative treatment methods. As a result, modern therapeutic approaches can be better tailored to the predominant symptoms and individual needs of the patient. This review compiles the latest research findings on the etiopathogenesis of the disease and discusses available therapeutic strategies, including options unavailable in Poland. This enables a better selection of effective therapy and achievement of satisfactory treatment outcomes through a more individualized approach, tailored to the patient's specific clinical profile.
... El síndrome del intestino irritable (SII) es un trastorno gastrointestinal funcional complejo que se caracteriza por dolor abdominal crónico asociado con la defecación o cambios en la frecuencia o forma de las heces. 1 El SII no es una entidad patológica única, sino un grupo heterogéneo de trastornos que abarcan un espectro de mecanismos fisiopatológicos y presentaciones clínicas. Según el patrón de hábito intestinal, el SII puede agruparse en uno de cuatro subtipos: SII con diarrea predominante (SII-D), SII con estreñimiento predominante (SII-E), SII con hábitos intestinales mixtos (SII-M) o SII no clasificado (SII-U). 1 SII es 1,5 a 2 veces más común en mujeres que en hombres y se diagnostica más comúnmente en personas menores de 50 años. ...
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... Mientras que la activación de los receptores opioides μ produce un retraso del tránsito gastrointestinal y una atenuación de la secreción gastrointestinal, el antagonismo del receptor opioide δ parece promover la actividad motora propulsiva del intestino. 1 Se comercializa en comprimidos por vía oral de 75 mg y 100 mg. La dosis recomendada en adultos es de 100 mg dos veces al día con alimentos; mientras que se corrige a 75 mg dos veces al día en personas que no tienen vesícula biliar, o que no pueden tolerar la dosis de 100 mg, o que están recibiendo inhibidores concomitantes de OATP1B, o que tienen insuficiencia hepática leve o moderada. ...
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... (FDA) has not given it special approval for IBS. [73] The synthesized peripheral μ-opioid receptor agonist loperamide has a limited bioavailability, is not absorbable, and cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. As a result, loperamide limits its effects inside the GI tract and does not have the range of negative effects seen with central opioids. ...
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Rifaximin, a broad‐spectrum antibiotic, boasts a unique chemical composition and pharmacokinetic profile, rendering it highly effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Its minimal systemic absorption confines its impact to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where it yields significant therapeutic benefits. This review examines rifaximin's physico‐chemical attributes and its role in managing IBS symptoms. Its molecular structure facilitates intestinal lumen retention postoral administration, minimizing systemic exposure and adverse effects. This targeted action is crucial in addressing the gut microbiota's role in IBS pathophysiology. By modifying microbial populations and their metabolite production, rifaximin mitigates symptoms like bloating, irregular bowel habits, and abdominal pain associated with IBS. It achieves this by reducing pathogenic bacteria and altering bacterial metabolism, enhancing mucosal and immune function. Clinical trials affirm rifaximin's superiority over placebo and conventional therapies in alleviating overall IBS symptoms and addressing small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Despite its promising efficacy and sustained symptom relief, further research is essential to optimize long‐term effectiveness and dosing regimens. Rifaximin stands as a vital treatment option for IBS due to its distinctive properties and clinical utility; yet, ongoing investigation is imperative for maximizing its therapeutic benefits.
... Experimental therapies such as budesonide, activated charcoal, probiotics, neomycin, and others are partially effective; however, none of these drugs have been studied or approved for managing CRD, and su cient data is lacking to support their use [6]. Newer medications for treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (e.g., eluxoladine, alosetron) have not been studied in oncology [21]. Furthermore, available drugs are primarily used for the treatment of CRD rather than its prophylaxis. ...
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Purpose The impact of cancer-related diarrhea (CRD) on changes in cancer therapy remains poorly characterized despite its prevalence. Methods We performed a longitudinal observational study using IQVIA PharMetrics Plus claims data. Patients included adults with CRD identified by diagnosis codes or pharmacy claims and compared their outcomes to matched (1:1) patients without CRD. Treatment parameters (discontinuation, persistence, augmentation, dose titration, adherence) were evaluated and stratified for the first cancer therapy (chemotherapy vs. targeted therapy vs. both). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the difference in risk of each treatment parameter between cohorts, adjusting for cancer type, therapy, and comorbidities. Results We identified 104,135 matched pairs of patients with solid (n = 94,411) or hematologic cancers (n = 9,724) receiving chemotherapy (n = 47,220), targeted therapy (n = 2,427), or both (n = 5,313). Patients with CRD discontinued therapy more frequently than those without CRD (chemotherapy [81.5% vs. 62.3%], targeted therapy [69.2% vs. 64.3%], both [96.0% vs. 85.5%], p < 0.0001). The overall proportion of discontinuation was higher (82.4% vs. 64.6%, p < 0.0001), including a higher risk of discontinuation (HR = 1.40, p < 0.001) for patients with CRD. The mean time to discontinuation (59.6 ± 54.1 vs. 68.3 ± 76.6 days), switch (72.0 ± 48.6 vs. 96.9 ± 84.0 days), persistence (95.1 ± 98.1 vs. 154.3 ± 142.7 days), and adherence (25.5%±37.2 vs. 47.9 ± 41%) were all lower (p < 0.0001) among patients with CRD. Conclusion Patients who develop CRD undergo significant and clinically impactful index treatment discontinuation, treatment switching, and have lower adherence and persistence of anticancer therapy compared to patients without CRD. Strategies to control CRD to optimize cancer therapy are urgently needed.
... 9 Eluxadoline is a mixed μ-opioid and κ-opioid receptor agonist and δ-opioid receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). 10,11 Following oral administration, eluxadoline is poorly absorbed, with an estimated systemic availability of approximately 1%. 12 It has gastrointestinal transit-inhibiting activity, 13 and the safety and effectiveness of eluxadoline to treat the symptoms of IBS-D have been demonstrated in 2 large, randomized, phase 3 clinical studies. [14][15][16] Eluxadoline is generally well tolerated, with incidences of nausea, constipation, and abdominal pain being the most common adverse events. ...
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... For example, the efficacy of eluxadoline could be described in terms of the number of patients that would need to be treated 3 months to avoid one episode of abdominal pain or diarrhoea, in this case between 8 and 33 patients over 3 months. 26 Metrics such as this, however, do not account for adverse events. Using the incremental QALY estimate that integrates gains and losses into a single measure (for eluxadoline, 0.015), it is possible to calculate that 67 patients would need to be treated over their lifetime horizons to gain the equivalent of 1 year in perfect health. ...
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Objectives To evaluate the incremental value of new drugs across disease areas receiving favourable coverage decisions by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) over the past decade. Design, setting, and participants This cross-sectional study assessed favourable appraisal decisions of drugs between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. Estimates of incremental benefit were extracted from NICE’s evidence review groups reports. Primary outcome measure Incremental benefit of novel drugs relative to the best alternative therapeutic option, expressed in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Results 184 appraisals of 129 drugs provided QALYs. The median incremental value was 0.27 QALY (IQR: 0.07–0.73). Benefits varied across drug-indication pairs (range: −0.49 to 5.22 QALY). The highest median benefits were found in haematology (0.70, IQR: 0.55–1.22) and oncology (0.46, IQR: 0.20–0.88), the lowest in ophthalmology (0.09, IQR: 0.04–0.22) and endocrinology (0.02, IQR: 0.01–0.06). Eight appraisals (4.3%) found contributions of more than two QALYs, but one in four (50/184) drug-indication pairs provided less than the equivalent of 1 month in perfect health compared to existing treatments. Conclusions In our review period, the median incremental value of novel drugs approved for use within the English National Health System, relative to the best alternative therapeutic option, was equivalent to 3–4 months of life in perfect health, but data were heterogeneous. Objective evaluations of therapeutic value helps patients and physicians to develop reasonable expectations of drugs and delivers insights into disease areas where medicinal therapeutic progress has had the most and least impact.