Tobacco use independently linked to anorectal sensorimotor dysfunction and fecal incontinence

Tobacco use is independently associated with anorectal sensorimotor dysfunction and fecal incontinence, according to a recent study published ahead of print in The American Journal of Gastroenterology. This month's issue includes articles on body-focused exposure therapy in children with functional abdominal pain and the identification of symptom clusters that fall outside of the Rome IV classification, summarized below.

Access to any articles from this issue, or past issues, is available upon request. The College is also able to connect members of the press with study authors or outside experts who can comment on the articles.

Current issue:

A Randomized Trial Testing a Body-Focused Exposure Treatment of Functional Abdominal Pain in Children

A randomized clinical trial compared two psychological treatments for children ages 5–9) with functional abdominal pain. Parent–child pairs were assigned to either playful exposure to uncomfortable bodily sensations or distraction-based strategies. After 10 weekly sessions, children in both groups showed significant reductions in pain intensity, frequency, duration, and interference, as well as improvements in negative affect and pain-related distress.

Symptom Patterns Outside the Rome IV Consensus in Eastern and Western Patients With a Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction

This study identified 10 distinct symptom groupings among patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction from five Eastern and six Western countries. Several of these symptom groupings had combined upper and lower GI symptoms, challenging a key assumption of the Rome classification framework-strict anatomical subdivisions.

Advance access:

Tobacco Use Is Associated With Anorectal Sensorimotor Dysfunction and Greater Fecal Incontinence Severity

Tobacco is independently associated with worse fecal incontinence, weaker anal tone, and increased rectal hypersensitivity, according to this study's findings, supporting a direct impact on anorectal sensorimotor function.

3% Sucralfate-Containing Topical Formulation Versus 0.2% Topical Nitroglycerin for Chronic Anal Fissure: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

A double-blind, randomized controlled trial compared twice daily application of a 3% sucralfate topical with 0.2% nitroglycerin ointment for treating chronic anal fissure. The sucralfate formulation facilitated greater fissure healing than the nitroglycerin topical at two weeks (50% vs 23%) and four weeks (79% vs 48%).