Relation of endometriosis and neuromuscular disease of the gastrointestinal tract: new insights

J R Mathias, John R. Mathias, Mathias JR, Robert R. Franklin, R Franklin, Franklin R, Quast DC, Don C. Quast, D C Quast, N Fraga, Fraga N, Nelda Fraga, Loftin CA, Camille A. Loftin, C A Loftin, Yates L, Lori Yates, L Yates, V Harrison, Victoria Harrison, Harrison V
Fertility and sterility · 1998 · vol. 70(1) , pp. 81–88 · doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00096-x · PMID:9660426 · W1980890102
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This paper investigates the connection between endometriosis and neuromuscular disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract to provide new perspectives on their relationship.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the neuromuscular activity of the gastrointestinal tract by antroduodenal manometry in women with endometriosis documented by laparoscopy, to assess the effects of diet and drug therapy on symptoms, and to assess the bacterial overgrowth that is commonly associated with these nerve diseases.DesignProspective, open-label study.SettingA clinical center for the care of women's health.Patient(s)Fifty women with endometriosis documented by laparoscopy and gastrointestinal tract symptoms characterized by chronic abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating and distention, and altered bowel habits.Intervention(s)Motility of the gastrointestinal tract was recorded and bacterial overgrowth was assessed. Treatment consisted of dietary changes, including reduction of glycemic carbohydrates, balancing with omega 9 oils, elimination of foods with caffeine and tyramine, and addition of omega 3 fatty acids, as well as drug therapy with clonazepam (0.25 mg 3 times per day).Result(s)All 50 women showed a characteristic motility change (ampulla of Vater-duodenal wall spasm, a seizure equivalent of the enteric nervous system). Forty of the women showed bacterial overgrowth. There was a significant reduction in the total symptom score after 8 weeks of treatment.Conclusion(s)This study suggests that endometriosis and gastrointestinal tract symptoms are a result of the dysfunction of hollow organs. Correction of the biochemical imbalance of the eicosanoid system and the hypersecretion of insulin that results from excessive intake of glycemic carbohydrates and lack of essential fatty acids significantly decreases symptoms in patients with endometriosis and associated neuromuscular disease of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Motility Neuromuscular Diseases Adult Clonazepam Clonazepam Diet Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Omega-3 Female GABA Agonists GABA Agonists Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Motility

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (42)

Cited by (39)

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