Reviews
Addressing long-term PPI safety
The advent of antisecretory drugs, such H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), has revolutionized the management of acid-related diseases, leading to the virtual abolition of elective surgery for ulcer disease and relegating anti-reflux surgery to patients with reflux disease not adequately managed by medical therapy. PPIs remain the mainstay of medical treatment for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) [1–3]. They act indirectly by reducing the amount and concentration of gastric secretion available for reflux, thus lessening the aggressive power of the refluxed material [4].New perspectives in irritable bowel syndrome: Introduction to Part 2
Symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occur in the absence of underlying structural or biochemical abnormalities within or outside the gut. Although widely accepted, this definition reflects uncertainty on the actual nature of the symptoms and does not satisfy patients. Nonetheless, the future is likely to be brighter since research in the field of IBS is fast moving and cellular, molecular and microbiological mechanisms are being identified and recognised as significant players in the complex pathophysiology of IBS.New perspectives in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Introduction to Part 1
It is a great pleasure for us to introduce this series of six reviews on the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), an intriguing syndrome affecting millions of patients throughout the world and representing a major daily workload for general practitioners and specialists alike. The term mini symposium is definitely an understatement to indicate this collection of elegant, comprehensive, provocative state-of-the-art papers proposed by the major experts in the field to cover all the relevant aspects of IBS.
