Published online Aug 21, 2019. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i31.4414
Peer-review started: May 4, 2019
First decision: May 24, 2019
Revised: July 4, 2019
Accepted: July 19, 2019
Article in press: July 19, 2019
Published online: August 21, 2019
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn`s disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic conditions associated with high morbidity and healthcare costs. The natural history of IBD is variable and marked by alternating periods of flare and remission. Even though the use of newer therapeutic targets has been associated with higher rates of mucosal healing, a great proportion of IBD patients remain symptomatic despite effective control of inflammation. These symptoms may include but not limited to abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, urgency, fecal incontinence, constipation or bloating. In this setting, commonly there is an overlap with gastrointestinal (GI) motility and absorptive disorders. Early recognition of these conditions greatly improves patient care and may decrease the risk of mistreatment. Therefore, in this review we describe the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of GI motility and absorptive disorders that commonly affect patients with IBD.
Core tips: Gastrointestinal motility and absorptive disorders such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, carbohydrate malabsorption or dyssynergic defecation are highly prevalent in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients and often explain refractory symptoms in inactive disease. Prompt diagnosis of these conditions improves patient care and may decrease the risk of mismanagement in IBD population. In the present manuscript we provide a comprehensive review of the prevalence, diagnosis and the best management strategies of these disorders.