Abstract

Background

Patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis, and chronic liver disease (CLD) often suffer from obesity because of coincidence (IBD, IBS, celiac disease) or related pathophysiology (GERD, pancreatitis and CLD). It is unclear if such patients need a particular diagnostic and treatment that differs from the needs of lean GI patients. The present guideline addresses this question according to current knowledge and evidence.

Objective

The objective of the guideline is to give advice to all professionals working in the field of gastroenterology care including physicians, surgeons, dietitians and others how to handle patients with GI disease and obesity.

Methods

The present guideline was developed according to the standard operating procedure for European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism guidelines, following the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network grading system (A, B, 0, and good practice point [GPP]). The procedure included an online voting (Delphi) and a final consensus conference.

Results

In 100 recommendations (3x A, 33x B, 24x 0, 40x GPP, all with a consensus grade of 90% or more) care of GI patients with obesity – including sarcopenic obesity – is addressed in a multidisciplinary way. A particular emphasis is on CLD, especially fatty liver disease, since such diseases are closely related to obesity, whereas liver cirrhosis is rather associated with sarcopenic obesity. A special chapter is dedicated to obesity care in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The guideline focuses on adults, not on children, for whom data are scarce. Whether some of the recommendations apply to children must be left to the judgment of the experienced pediatrician.

Conclusion

The present guideline offers for the first time evidence-based advice how to care for patients with chronic GI diseases and concomitant obesity, an increasingly frequent constellation in clinical practice.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Chronic nausea and vomiting are symptoms of a wide range of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal conditions. Diagnosis can be challenging and requires a systematic and well-structured approach. If the initial investigation for structural, toxic and metabolic disorders is negative, digestive motility and gut-brain interaction disorders should be assessed. United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and the European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) identified the need for an updated, evidence-based clinical guideline for the management of chronic nausea and vomiting.

Methods

A multidisciplinary team of experts in the field, including European specialists and national societies, participated in the development of the guideline. Relevant questions were addressed through a literature review and statements were developed and voted on according to a Delphi process.

Results

Ninety-eight statements were identified and voted following the Delphi process. Overall agreement was high, although the grade of scientific evidence was low in many areas. Disagreement was more evident for some pharmacological treatment options. A diagnostic algorithm was developed, focussing on the differentiating features between gastrointestinal motility and gut-brain interaction disorders with predominant nausea and vomiting.

Conclusion

These guidelines provide an evidence-based framework for the evaluation and treatment of patients with chronic nausea and vomiting.

Summary

Wilson’s disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism which affects the liver, brain and other organs. Diagnosis is based on: clinical features; biochemical tests, including plasma ceruloplasmin concentration, 24-h urinary copper excretion, copper content in the liver; and molecular analysis. Leipzig score and additionally relative exchangeable copper determination are recommended for diagnosis. Pharmacological therapy comprises chelating agents (penicillamine, trientine) and zinc salts, while only chelators are recommended for significant liver disease. Monitoring is based on clinical symptoms, liver tests and copper metabolism (urinary copper excretion, exchangeable copper) to detect poor compliance and over/under-treatment. Acute liver failure is challenging as making a diagnosis is difficult and pharmacological therapy may not be sufficient to save life. Liver transplantation has a well-defined role in Wilsonian acute hepatic failure but may also be considered in neurological disease.

Summary

Summary

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic liver disease of unknown aetiology which may affect any patient irrespective of age, sex, or ethnicity. At baseline, the clinical spectrum of the disease varies largely from asymptomatic cases to acute liver failure with massive hepatocyte necrosis. The aim of these EASL guidelines is to provide updated guidance on the diagnosis and management of AIH both in adults and children. Updated guidance on the management of patients with variants and specific forms of AIH is also provided, as is detailed guidance on the management of AIH-associated cirrhosis, including surveillance for portal hypertension and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as liver transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis.

Keywords

Autoimmune hepatitis; Autoantibodies; Variant syndromes; Immunosuppression; Azathioprine; Mycophenolate mofetil