Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Apr 2021
Review Comparative StudySex- and Gender-Related Differences in Common Functional Gastroenterologic Disorders.
Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (FGIDs) result from central and peripheral mechanisms, cause chronic remitting-relapsing symptoms, and are associated with comorbid conditions and impaired quality of life. This article reviews sex- and gender-based differences in the prevalence, pathophysiologic factors, clinical characteristics, and management of functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that together affect approximately 1 in 4 people in the United States. These conditions are more common in women. ⋯ Slow gastric emptying and colon transit are more common in healthy women than in men, but effects of gonadal hormones on colon transit are less important than in rodents. Although increased visceral sensation partly explains symptoms, the effects of sex on visceral sensation, colonic permeability, and the gut microbiome are less prominent in humans than rodents. Whether sex or gender affects response to medications or behavioral therapy in FD or IBS is unclear because most patients in these studies are women.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Apr 2021
Review Comparative StudySex Differences in Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease.
Alcohol-associated liver disease is becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the United States. Previously alcohol-associated liver disease was known to affect men more often than women; however, this gap between the sexes is narrowing. Studies show that women develop liver disease with lesser alcohol exposure and suffer worse disease as compared with men. ⋯ Due to the paucity of literature on some of the relevant subject matter and inclusion of landmark studies, no date range was selected. Studies were included if their methods were sufficiently robust and they made a comparison between the sexes that is clinically relevant. Understanding of the changing epidemiology and mechanisms of liver disease development unique to women are paramount in creating appropriate and effective interventions for women who represent a rapidly growing subset of patients with alcohol-associated liver disease.