| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 3 | Page : 114-118 |
|
|
The two sides of opioids in cyclical vomiting syndrome
Shreyas Saligram1, Klaus Bielefeldt2
1 Departments of Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Department of Gastroenterology, Kansas University School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
2 Departments of Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Correspondence Address:
Shreyas Saligram
3901 Rainbow boulevard, Kansas City, 66160, Kansas
USA
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1947-2714.128472
|
|
|
Background: Cyclical vomiting syndrome is increasingly recognized in adults, with recent reports suggesting 'coalescing attacks' in one third of the patients. We hypothesized that the common need for opioid treatment may contribute to coalescing attacks through development of opioid dependence and withdrawal, triggering cyclical vomiting syndrome. Aim: This study was to review iatrogenic opioid dependence as the potential cause for triggering cyclical vomiting syndrome. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients treated for cyclical vomiting syndrome by a single physician between Jan and December of 2010. Demographic data, clinical presentation, treatment, cumulative opioid prescription during hospitalizations and emergency room visits and days of inpatient stay were abstracted from the chart. Results: Forty-one patients (mean age 37.5.6 ± 2.6 years; 66% female) were seen within this timeframe. In eleven patients (27%) with ongoing opioid use, the initial cyclical illness had progressed and eventually coalesced. A cohort of 23 patients was followed for at least 6 months (12.3 ± 1.7 months). The best single predictor of repeat hospitalizations was the cumulative opioid dosage. Conclusion: Continued use of opioid therapy is a poor prognostic marker of cyclical vomiting syndrome and may contribute to disease coalescence, with dependence and withdrawal triggering recurrent episodes. |
|
|
|
| [FULL TEXT] [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
