Functional Abdominal Cramping Pain: Expert Practical Guidance

Müller-Lissner, Stefan; Andresen, Viola; Corsetti, Maura; Bustos Fernández, Luis; Forestier, Sylvie; Pace, Fabio; Valdovinos, Miguel A

Abstract

Functional abdominal cramping pain (FACP) is a common complaint, which may present either on its own or in association with a functional gastrointestinal disorder. It is likely caused by a variety of, probably partly unknown, etiologies. Effective management of FACP can be challenging owing to the lack of usable diagnostic tools and the availability of a diverse range of treatment approaches. Practical guidance for their selection and use is limited. The objective of this article is to present a working definition of FACP based on expert consensus, and to propose practical strategies for the diagnosis and management of this condition for physicians, pharmacists, and patients. A panel of experts on functional gastrointestinal disorders was convened to participate in workshop activities aimed at defining FACP and agreeing upon a recommended sequence of diagnostic criteria and management recommendations. The key principles forming the foundation of the definition of FACP and suggested management algorithms include the primacy of cramping pain as the distinguishing symptom; the importance of recognizing and acting upon alarm signals of potential structural disease; the recognition of known causes that might be addressed through lifestyle adjustment; and the central role of antispasmodics in the treatment of FACP. The proposed algorithm is intended to assist physicians in reaching a meaningful diagnostic endpoint based on patient-reported symptoms of FACP. We also discuss how this algorithm may be adapted for use by pharmacists and patients. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.]

Citation

Müller-Lissner, S., Andresen, V., Corsetti, M., Bustos Fernández, L., Forestier, S., Pace, F., & Valdovinos, M. A. (2022). Functional Abdominal Cramping Pain: Expert Practical Guidance. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 56(10), 844-852. https://doi.org/10.1097/mcg.0000000000001764

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 13, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 17, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
• Print ISSN: 0192-0790
• Publisher: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 56
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 844-852
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/mcg.0000000000001764
• Keywords: Gastroenterology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/12317541
• Publisher URL: https://journals.lww.com/jcge/Fulltext/2022/11000/Functional_Abdominal_Cramping_Pain__Expert.6.aspx
• Additional Information: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ /> Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 56(10):p 844-852, November/December 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001764