Evaluation of a multidisciplinary integrated treatment approach versus standard model of care for functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDS): a matched cohort study

Nicola A. Bray, Natasha A. Koloski, Michael P. Jones, Anh Do, Siong Pang, Jeff S. Coombes, Sarah McAllister, Jane Campos, Leela Arthur, Paul Stanley, Katherine DeMaria, Che-yung Chao, Rachel Catague, Amanda Whaley, Nicholas J. Talley, Gerald J. Holtmann*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)
46 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are linked to a variety of potential causes, and treatments include reassurance, life-style (including diet), psychological, or pharmacologic interventions.

AIMS: To assess whether a multidisciplinary integrated treatment approach delivered in a dedicated integrated care clinic (ICC) was superior to the standard model of care in relation to the gastrointestinal symptom burden.

METHODS: A matched cohort of 52 consecutive patients with severe manifestation of FGID were matched with 104 control patients based upon diagnosis, gender, age, and symptom severity. Patients in the ICC received structured assessment and 12-weeks integrated treatment sessions provided as required by gastroenterologist and allied health team. Control patients received standard medical care at the same tertiary center with access to allied health services as required but no standardized interprofessional team approach. Primary outcome was reduction in gastrointestinal symptom burden as measured by the Structured Assessment of Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scale (SAGIS). Secondary outcome was reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

RESULTS: Mixed models estimated the within ICC change in SAGIS total as -9.7 (95% CI -13.6, -5.8; p < 0.0001), compared with -1.7 (95% CI -4.0, 0.6; p = 0.15) for controls. The difference between groups reached statistical significance, -7.6 (95% CI -11.4, -3.8; p < 0.0001). Total HADS scores in ICC patients were 3.4 points lower post-intervention and reached statistical significance (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: This matched cohort study demonstrates superior short-term outcomes of FGID patients in a structured multidisciplinary care setting as compared to standard care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5593-5601
Number of pages9
JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences
Volume67
Issue number12
Early online date1 Apr 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

Copyright Crown 2022. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • functional gastrointestinal disorders
  • multidisciplinary treatment approach
  • biopsychosocial model of health

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