Thinking outside the box: a review of gastrointestinal symptoms and complications in cystic fibrosis

Yule, Alexander; Sills, Darren; Smith, Sherie; Spiller, Robin; Smyth, Alan R

Abstract

Introduction
Gastrointestinal (GI)-related symptoms, complications, and comorbidities in cystic fibrosis (CF) are common and research to reduce their burden is a priority for the CF community. To enable future research, this review aimed to summarize the range of GI symptoms, complications and comorbidities seen in CF, the underlying pathophysiology, and treatments.

Areas covered
This was a rapid systematic review undertaken using the recommendations from the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group. We searched databases including PubMed, Embase, Medline and the Cochrane database and identified those studies reporting GI-related symptoms, complications, or comorbidities in CF or their treatment. Our searches identified 2,930 studies and a total 119 studies met our inclusion criteria. Where a prevalence could be determined, GI symptoms were reported in 33.7% of study participants. The range of symptoms reported was broad and the highest median prevalence included flatulence (43.5%), bloating and abdominal distension (36%), and fatty stool (36%). Meconium ileus was reported in 12% and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome in 8.5%

Expert opinion
GI-related symptoms, complications, and comorbidities in CF are common. More consistent characterization and recording of these symptoms in clinical studies may help achieve the priority of reducing the burden of GI disease in CF.

Citation

Yule, A., Sills, D., Smith, S., Spiller, R., & Smyth, A. R. (2023). Thinking outside the box: a review of gastrointestinal symptoms and complications in cystic fibrosis. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 17(7), 547-561. https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2023.2228194

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 19, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jun 26, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 26, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 28, 2023
• Journal: Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1747-6348
• Electronic ISSN: 1747-6356
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 547-561
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2023.2228194
• Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; gastrointestinal; gut; gut symptoms; gut complications; dysbiosis; inflammation; dysmotility
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/22317876
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17476348.2023.2228194