The following is a summary of “Patient-Reported Outcomes in Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction,” published in the April 2024 issue of Gastroenterology by Tack, et al.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders, characterized by chronic symptoms without detectable structural abnormalities, rely on symptom patterns and severity for evaluation. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are structured questionnaires to assess symptoms, quantify their severity, and track treatment response. For a study, researchers sought to explore available PROs for major gut-brain interaction disorders such as functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and chronic constipation. It evaluated their content, clinical and research utility validation status and regulatory considerations.

The assessment emphasized symptom evaluation’s significance in clinical and regulatory contexts due to the lack of objective biomarkers. It underscored the importance of symptom assessment as the cornerstone of evaluating these conditions, underscoring the need for validated instruments to guide clinical decision-making and facilitate regulatory approval processes. Furthermore, it highlighted the necessity for ongoing research to develop and refine PROs to effectively assess the diverse symptomatology and treatment responses in functional gastrointestinal disorders.

The study discussed the content, validation status, and regulatory approach to PROs for functional dyspepsia, IBS, and chronic constipation. It emphasized the role of PROs in evaluating symptom patterns, severity, and treatment response, considering their importance in clinical practice and research. The review highlighted the need for further research to enhance PROs’ utility in assessing gut-brain interaction disorders comprehensively.

By synthesizing available evidence and discussing future directions, the study aimed to enhance understanding and management strategies for gut-brain interaction disorders, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

Reference: gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(24)00124-0/fulltext