Visceral hypersensitivity: a role in non-cardiac chest pain?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation into the role that visceral hypersensitivity plays in non-cardiac chest pain
IRAS ID
147573
Contact name
L Macrae
Contact email
Research summary
Chest pain is a common complaint in the UK. Firstly, it is important to exclude a cardiac cause but, once this has been ruled out, these patients are diagnosed as having non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) and frequently discharged back into the community with no improvement or explanation of their symptoms. Previous studies have suggested that NCCP may originate from the oesophagus and abnormalities such as oesophageal reflux disease or oesophageal dysmotility have been implicated. More recently, abnormal oesophageal sensitivity (hypersensitivity) has also been reported as possibly being important in the aetiology of NCCP although it is difficult to measure. It is the purpose of this study to assess its role in NCCP using an innovative way of quantifying this abnormality in such patients.
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also exhibit hypersensitivity which is widespread throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This abnormality can be safely and easily assessed using the technique of balloon distension of the rectum.
We have hypothesised that the hypersensitivity in patients with NCCP might be similarly distributed to that in IBS and, therefore, relatively easily detected by balloon distension of the rectum, which is far less intrusive and uncomfortable to the patient than balloon distension of the oesophagus.
Consequently, this study aims to assess rectal hypersensitivity in patients with NCCP to establish whether this would be a reliable marker for this condition and enable the targeting of specific treatment.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/0153
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion