Gastroparesis Awareness Month empowers patients to share their stories, make a #GPimpact
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Every August, gastrointestinal care providers and patient advocacy groups celebrate Gastroparesis Awareness Month, an annual campaign focused on improving understanding of gastroparesis and promoting preventive strategies.
“Awareness of the needs of gastroparesis patients can lead to better management strategies and improved quality of life,” Ceciel T. Rooker, president of International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), said in a press release. “Ongoing research and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial in advancing treatment options and providing holistic care for those affected by this challenging disorder.”
This year, the IFFGD launched a social media campaign using the hashtag, #GPImpact to raise awareness on the impact gastroparesis may have on an individual including symptom burden, determining the right treatment and making lifestyle changes. Further the campaign looks to educate those who suffer from GP on how to advocate not only for themselves but for all those impacted by the disease.
Data from the foundation how that an estimated 5 million individuals in the U.S. are affected by GP, with 10 men and 40 women suffering from it out of 100,000 people. Most cases of GP are considered idiopathic, with 30% to 50% having no known cause. However, one in four people suffer from GP in correlation with long-running diabetes. Other potential causes may include surgeries, cancer treatments, medications, cellular changes and other illnesses such as cystic fibrosis.
This year, the IFFGD invites those who suffer from GP and all those involved in patients care to the use of the hashtag #GPimpact on social media to share their individual experiences and promote awareness.
In support of Gastroparesis Awareness Month, Healio recaps the latest research concerning GP including updates on clinical trials, the connection between GP and Ozempic (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide, Eli Lilly), and more.
Tradipitant achieves ‘clinically meaningful outcomes’ in gastroparesis
Although neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist tradipitant (Vanda Pharmaceuticals) did not outperform placebo in improving nausea severity at 12 weeks in patients with gastroparesis, those with adequate tradipitant exposure did achieve overall symptom improvement.
“The current treatment landscape for gastroparesis is in critical need for additional solutions,” Jesse L. Carlin, PhD, clinical project lead at Vanda Pharmaceuticals, and colleagues wrote in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. “Tradipitant, a NK-1R antagonist, has demonstrated promising efficacy in improving nausea and other symptoms associated with gastroparesis.” Read more.
Lawsuit claims Ozempic, Mounjaro labels ‘downplayed severity’ of gastroparesis
A personal injury law firm has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, alleging the manufacturers “downplayed the severity of the gastrointestinal events caused by Ozempic and Mounjaro,” such as gastroparesis and gastroenteritis.
The plaintiff, Jaclyn Bjorklund, had reportedly been prescribed Ozempic, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, for management of type 2 diabetes for more than a year before she was switched to Mounjaro in July 2023. Bjorklund claims that her use of both Ozempic and Mounjaro resulted in severe gastrointestinal events. Read more.
Q&A: Gastroparesis from Ozempic, Wegovy 'uncommon'
Recent reports in the media and legal action — such as that mentioned above — have raised questions about the safety of popular weight-loss drugs, particularly about whether they increase the risk for events such as gastroparesis and gastroenteritis.
Healio spoke with Lydia Alexander, MD, president-elect of the Obesity Medicine Association and chief medical officer of Enara Health, to learn more about the safety and efficacy of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) and what physicians need to know about them. Read more.
Vagal nerve stimulation reduces need for rescue medication in gastroparesis, dyspepsia
As-needed vagal nerve stimulation reduced rescue mediation use among patients with nausea related to gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia, according to data presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting.
“Chronic nausea and vomiting are key symptoms of gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia, particularly of the postprandial distress type,” Pankaj Jay Pasricha, MD, MBBS, of Mayo Clinic Arizona, said. “These sensations are relayed to the brain via the vagus nerve, and therefore, modulation of its function via [non-invasive] VNS offers a novel therapeutic approach.” Read more.
FDA grants MR conditional use to Enterra’s electrical stimulation device for gastroparesis
The FDA has granted conditional use with magnetic resonance imaging to Enterra Medical’s implantable electrical stimulation device for management of symptoms associated with gastroparesis, according to a company release.
The Enterra II system, specifically its component parts Enterra 37800 Neurostimulator and Enterra Therapy 4351-35 unipolar leads, is intended to relieve symptoms associated with gastroparesis, including nausea and vomiting, the company noted. The system uses gastric electrical stimulation to deliver electrical pulses to the nerves and smooth stomach muscles to control symptoms. Read more.
ACG updates gastroparesis guidelines for diagnosis, treatment amid ‘ongoing innovation’
The American College of Gastroenterology has issued a new guideline for the diagnosis and management of gastroparesis, which recently was published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
“The objective of this new guideline is to document, summarize and update the evidence and develop recommendations for the clinical management of GP,” Michael Camilleri, MD, DSc, MRCP, MACG, AGAF, professor of gastroenterology and hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues wrote. “It is necessary to acknowledge the limitations of guideline recommendations on therapies in the absence of FDA-approved therapies for GP in the United States and the limitation in duration of prescription to 3 months for the only currently approved medication, metoclopramide.” Read more.
References:
- Causes of gastroparesis. IFFGD. https://aboutgastroparesis.org/what-is-gastroparesis/causes-of-gastroparesis/. Accessed July 10, 2024.
- Common questions about gastroparesis. IFFGD. https://aboutgastroparesis.org/what-is-gastroparesis/common-questions-about-gastroparesis/. Accessed July 10, 2024.
- Cystic fibrosis and gastroparesis. IFFGD. https://aboutgastroparesis.org/what-is-gastroparesis/cystic-fibrosis-and-gastroparesis/. Accessed July 10, 2024.
- Gastroparesis Awareness Month. IFFGD. https://aboutgastroparesis.org/living-with-gastroparesis/gastroparesis-awareness-month/. Accessed July 10, 2024.
- Gastroparesis Awareness Month: Addressing its impact on quality of life and the need for comprehensive treatment. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gastroparesis-awareness-month-addressing-its-impact-on-quality-of-life-and-the-need-for-comprehensive-treatment-302193784.html. Accessed July 17, 2024.
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