Brain Fog in Gastrointestinal Disorders Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth, Gastroparesis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, 2024, Parkman et al

Abstract

Introduction:
Brain fog (BF) is a term used to describe difficulties with concentration, memory, and overall mental clarity. Links of BF to chronic fatigue syndrome and COVID-19 have been described, as well as recently to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and probiotics.

Aim:
To investigate the association between BF, SIBO, intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO), gastrointestinal (GI) medications, and specific GI disorders [irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroparesis] by utilizing a questionnaire to help diagnose BF.

Methods:
Patients undergoing lactulose breath testing (LBT) for clinical assessment of SIBO filled out a demographic questionnaire, including an inquiry about the presence of BF, a symptom questionnaire (PAGI-SYM), and a BF Questionnaire (BFQ; 20 BF symptoms rated never=0 to always=4, total score 0 to 80).

Results:
A total of 102 patients underwent LBT, with the most common indication being bloating (67%), of whom 55 (54%) reported BF. The BFQ score was significantly higher in patients reporting BF than those not [38.2±15.6 vs. 10.9±9.4 (SEM) (P=0.001)]. Patients with BF were more likely to be on probiotics and proton pump inhibitors compared with those without BF (P=0.04). There was no major difference in the use of narcotics, prokinetics, or prebiotics. Gastroparesis and IBS were more common in patients who reported BF (P=0.01 and 0.05, respectively), but not SIBO or IMO by breath testing.

Conclusions:
BF was observed in over one-half of patients with common GI disorders. The prevalence of BF was higher in patients on probiotics and those with gastroparesis and IBS. The BFQ may be useful to diagnose and quantify BF severity.

Paywall, https://journals.lww.com/jcge/abstract/9900/brain_fog_in_gastrointestinal_disorders__small.369.aspx

 

Yay! A new questionnaire! Problem solved!

 

It's like an entire discipline dedicated to inventing bizarre measurement systems, none of which actually measure anything because they are not standardized or whatever the right term is for when a number system has equal distance between all values, just because they refuse, REFUSE!, to use anything as unwieldy as the metric system.

"Measurement" systems based on averaging other "measurement" systems using bizarre conversion units and must cross-reference various parts of other half-baked attempts at the same thing. They never end up being actually able to use them for anything. But they keep inventing them anyway.