Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine researchers found that anxiety and hypervigilance may contribute to poorer outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, underscoring the role of the gut-brain connection in digestive health, according to a June 15 news release.
Here are four things to know:
1. Researchers are studying the gut-brain connection: Northwestern Medicine researchers are examining how anxiety and hypervigilance affect outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal conditions.
2. The work began after physicians noticed persistent symptoms after surgery: Researchers launched the effort after observing that some patients continued to report symptoms despite successful esophageal procedures.
3. Hypervigilance and anxiety were linked to poorer outcomes: A study published earlier this year in Gastroenterology found that higher levels of esophageal hypervigilance and anxiety were associated with worse symptoms and lower quality of life after treatment for achalasia, a rare esophageal motility disorder.
4. The team is testing behavioral interventions: Researchers are evaluating whether cognitive behavioral interventions can improve outcomes for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional heartburn. The work is supported by a renewed National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases grant awarded to John Pandolfino, MD, division chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Northwestern Medicine.
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