Symptoms of mast cell activation syndrome in functional gastrointestinal disorders

Abstract

Objectives: Mast cell involvement is evident in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID). FGID and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) are associated with multi-organ symptoms. An overlap has not been assessed.

Methods: MCAS symptoms were determined by questionnaires in 2083 FGID patients.

Results: The median number of MCAS symptoms ([IQR] (range 0–16)) was 6 [4–8] in all FGID, and in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, 7 [5–9] in overlapping irritable bowel syndrome and FD (IBS+FD), 5 [3–8] in IBS and 5 [3–6] in non-IBS/non-FD (p < .001 vs. FD and IBS + FD) patients. MCAS symptoms in ≥2 organ-systems existed in 1773 (85%) of all patients.

Conclusions: MCAS symptoms are common in FGID warranting further mechanistic investigation.

Keywords:

• Histamine
• irritable bowel syndrome
• functional dyspepsia
• mast cell

Disclosure statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Author contributions

Study concept and design was formulated by CWS, AM. Acquisition of data was carried out by CWS, AM. Statistical analysis and interpretation of data was performed by SSO, CWS, AMD. Drafting and critical revision of the manuscript was done by CWS, SSO, AMD. Study supervision was carried out by CWS.