This article discusses the studies on functional and motor
gastrointestinal disorders presented at the 2014 Digestive Diseases Week conference that are of greatest interest to us. New data have been provided on the clinical importance of
functional gastrointestinal disorders, with recent prevalence data for
irritable bowel syndrome and
fecal incontinence. We know more about the pathophysiological mechanisms of the various functional disorders, especially
irritable bowel syndrome, which has had the largest number of studies. Thus, we have gained new data on microinflammation, genetics, microbiota, psychological aspects, etc. Symptoms such as abdominal distension have gained interest in the scientific community, both in terms of patients with
irritable bowel syndrome and those with
constipation. From the diagnostic point of view, the search continues for a
biomarker for
functional gastrointestinal disorders, especially for
irritable bowel syndrome. In the therapeutic area, the importance of diet for these patients (FODMAP,
fructans, etc.) is once again confirmed, and data is provided that backs the efficacy of already marketed drugs such as
linaclotide, which rule out the use of other drugs such as
mesalazine for patients with
irritable bowel syndrome. This year, new forms of
drug administration have been presented, including
metoclopramide nasal sprays and
granisetron transdermal patches for patients with
gastroparesis. Lastly, a curiosity that caught our attention was the use of a vibrating
capsule to stimulate gastrointestinal transit in patients with
constipation.