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How can we relieve gastrointestinal symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis? An international qualitative survey

Smith, Sherie; Rowbotham, Nicola; Davies, Gwyneth; Gathercole, Katie; Collins, Sarah J; Elliott, Zoe; Herbert, Sophie; Allen, Lorna; Ng, Christabella; Smyth, Alan

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Authors

SHERIE SMITH sherie.smith@nottingham.ac.uk
Cochrane Systematic Reviewer

Nicola Rowbotham

Gwyneth Davies

Katie Gathercole

Sarah J Collins

Zoe Elliott

Sophie Herbert

Lorna Allen

Christabella Ng

Alan Smyth



Abstract

Introduction Relieving gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms was identified as a ‘top ten’ priority by our James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership in cystic fibrosis (CF). We conducted an online survey to find out more about the effect of GI symptoms in CF.

Methods We co-produced an online survey distributed to the CF community via web-based platforms. The survey consisted of open and closed questions designed to help us learn more about the effects of GI symptoms for people with CF (pwCF). We analysed the data using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. We promoted the survey via social media and web-based platforms which allowed respondents from any country to take part. Our participants came from the CF community, including: adults and children with CF, parents and close family of pwCF and healthcare professionals (HCPs) working with pwCF.

Results There were 276 respondents: 90 (33%) pwCF, 79 (29%) family, 107 (39%) HCPs. The most commonly reported symptoms by lay respondents were stomach cramps/pain, bloating and a ‘combination of symptoms’. The top three symptoms that HCPs said were reported to them were reduced appetite, bloating and constipation. Almost all (94% (85/90)) HCPs thought medications helped to relieve GI symptoms but only 58% (82/141) of lay respondents agreed.

Conclusions Our survey has shown that GI symptoms among our participants are prevalent and intrude on daily lives of pwCF. There is a need for well-designed clinical studies to provide better evidence for management of GI symptoms and complications.

Citation

Smith, S., Rowbotham, N., Davies, G., Gathercole, K., Collins, S. J., Elliott, Z., …Smyth, A. (2020). How can we relieve gastrointestinal symptoms in people with cystic fibrosis? An international qualitative survey. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 7(1), Article e000614. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000614

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 10, 2020
Online Publication Date Sep 7, 2020
Publication Date Sep 7, 2020
Deposit Date Aug 14, 2020
Publicly Available Date Sep 7, 2020
Journal BMJ Open Respiratory Research
Electronic ISSN 2052-4439
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 7
Issue 1
Article Number e000614
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2020-000614
Keywords Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4830658
Publisher URL https://bmjopenrespres.bmj.com/content/7/1/e000614

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