Treatment modalities for functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients with anxiety disorders
Management of functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders is a complex task. In many patients, treatment efficacy is insufficient. Underestimation of the severity of psychological and emotional disorders and a need for their management is one of the causes of ineffective treatment. Functional GI disorders are associated with reduced activity of stress-limiting systems, in particular, decreased levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABAergic system activity. Under these circumstances, stress-realizing system prevails thus providing the conditions for the development of biologically negative stress (distress) and, later, persistent diseases (i.e., anxiety, depression etc.). This accounts for a set of symptoms associated with functional GI disorders, i.e., irritability, nervousness, trembling, muscle tension, tension headache, hyperhidrosis, palpitation, dizziness coupled with epigastric discomfort and dyspeptic symptoms. Therefore, compensating GABA deficiency will correct inhibiting systems of the central nervous system. Aminophenylbutyric acid, phenyl derivative of GABA, compensates GABA deficiency. This paper describes two case histories of prescribing Anvifen® (aminophenylbutyric acid) for functional GI disorders.