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Physical activity can reduce the prevalence of gallstone disease among males: An observational study.
Kwon, OS, Kim, YK, Her, KH, Kim, HJ, Lee, SD
Medicine. 2020;99(26):e20763
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Plain language summary
Gallstone disease (GD) is one of the most common digestive disorders and can cause acute abdominal pain, jaundice, and abnormal liver function due to stones deposited in the gallbladder or bile ducts. Metabolic syndrome is a known risk factor for GD and physical activity (PA) can reduce the incidence of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate whether PA can reduce the risk of GD in a Korean population. 8908 subjects were included in this study, GD was diagnosed by ultrasound and PA was defined as moderate-intensity aerobic PA for at least 150 minutes, or vigorous-intensity activity for at least 75 minutes throughout the week. Participants underwent physical investigation and had blood samples taken to establish metabolic syndrome markers. In men, PA, old age and higher AST (aspartate aminotransferase, a liver enzyme) were independent risk factors for GD, whilst in women only a history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, but not PA, was independently associated with GD.
Abstract
Several previous studies have reported that physical activity (PA) levels can independently affect the prevalence of gallstone disease (GD) in Western countries. However, this association has not been reported in Eastern countries. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether PA is an independent determinant of GD prevalence in a Korean population, according to the World Health Organizations Global Recommendations on PA for Health.A total of 8908 subjects who completed a questionnaire underwent medical examination and ultrasound scanning at the Health Promotion Center of the Jeju National University Hospital between January 2009 and December 2018. GD and fatty liver disease were diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound. Biochemical parameters and body mass index were determined, and metabolic syndrome status, age, and PA levels were extracted from medical records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent factors affecting GD.The estimated rates of PA and GD among male subjects were 23.7% and 4.6%, whereas the rates among females were 18.4% and 4.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis suggested that no PA, old age, and higher aspartate aminotransferase level in males and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease status in females were independent factors affecting GD.In our study, PA was associated with a reduction in GD among males but not females.
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Brain fogginess, gas and bloating: a link between SIBO, probiotics and metabolic acidosis.
Rao, SSC, Rehman, A, Yu, S, Andino, NM
Clinical and translational gastroenterology. 2018;9(6):162
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D-lactic acid is produced by intestinal bacteria and a rise in levels can lead to D-lactic acidosis, causing neurological changes such as slurred speech and gait disturbances. This is frequently observed in short bowel syndrome. This small, observational study aimed to determine if brain fogginess (mental confusion, impaired judgement, poor short-term memory and difficulty concentrating) and intestinal gas and bloating is associated with D-lactic acidosis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). 38 patients presenting with gas and bloating in the absence of short bowel syndrome, and with or without brain fog were assessed. All patients with brain fog were consuming probiotics, with a higher proportion of them diagnosed with SIBO and D-lactic acidosis, when compared to the non-brain fog group. The researchers stopped probiotics in all patients and administered antibiotics, observing a significant reduction in brain fog and gastrointestinal symptoms. Whilst this is a small, observational study, nutrition practitioners may wish to assess the likelihood of SIBO and D-lactic acidosis before recommending probiotics, especially in the presence of brain fog.
Abstract
BACKGROUND D-lactic acidosis is characterized by brain fogginess (BF) and elevated D-lactate and occurs in short bowel syndrome. Whether it occurs in patients with an intact gut and unexplained gas and bloating is unknown. We aimed to determine if BF, gas and bloating is associated with D-lactic acidosis and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). METHODS Patients with gas, bloating, BF, intact gut, and negative endoscopic and radiological tests, and those without BF were evaluated. SIBO was assessed with glucose breath test (GBT) and duodenal aspiration/culture. Metabolic assessments included urinary D-lactic acid and blood L-lactic acid, and ammonia levels. Bowel symptoms, and gastrointestinal transit were assessed. RESULTS Thirty patients with BF and 8 without BF were evaluated. Abdominal bloating, pain, distension and gas were the most severe symptoms and their prevalence was similar between groups. In BF group, all consumed probiotics. SIBO was more prevalent in BF than non-BF group (68 vs. 28%, p = 0.05). D-lactic acidosis was more prevalent in BF compared to non-BF group (77 vs. 25%, p = 0.006). BF was reproduced in 20/30 (66%) patients. Gastrointestinal transit was slow in 10/30 (33%) patients with BF and 2/8 (25%) without. Other metabolic tests were unremarkable. After discontinuation of probiotics and a course of antibiotics, BF resolved and gastrointestinal symptoms improved significantly (p = 0.005) in 23/30 (77%). CONCLUSIONS We describe a syndrome of BF, gas and bloating, possibly related to probiotic use, SIBO, and D-lactic acidosis in a cohort without short bowel. Patients with BF exhibited higher prevalence of SIBO and D-lactic acidosis. Symptoms improved with antibiotics and stopping probiotics. Clinicians should recognize and treat this condition.