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School of Medicine

Professor Peter Whorwell BSc MB BS MD PhD FRCP

Photograph of Peter Whorwell

Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology

 

Research

  • Epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, chronic abdominal pain and non cardiac chest pain.
  • Mechanisms and uses of hypnosis.

Key Words

  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Hypnosis
  • Functional gastrointestinal disorders
 

Methodological Knowledge

  • Clinical trials
  • Physiological measurement of gastrointestinal function
  • Questionnaire studies
  • Hypnosis
  • Immunological aspects of gut physiology
 

Biography

Professor Whorwell graduated in biochemistry at the University of London and in medicine at Guy’s Hospital, London . After a series of residencies and fellowships, one of which was in the USA, he was appointed as Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at the University Hospital of South Manchester in 1981 and was subsequently promoted to Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology. Over the years he has had a particular interest in the functional gastrointestinal disorders and now directs the South Manchester Functional Bowel Service. This unit undertakes research into the clinical, epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of functional gastrointestinal disorders as well as caring for large numbers of these patients from all over the UK. It also undertakes a wide-ranging programme of research into new treatment options for these conditions including pharmacological, dietary and behavioural approaches.

Professor Whorwell has published over 300 papers and chapters in his fields of interest and serves on a number of international advisory panels and working parties.

 

Publications

2011

  • Issa B, Whorwell PJ. (2011). Will hypnotherapy help my patients with IBS?. In Lacey BE (Ed.), Curbside consultation in irritable bowel syndrome. (pp. 233-237). New Jersey: Slack Incorporated. eScholarID:132357
  • Drossman, D., Chang, L., Bellamy, N., Gallo-Torres, H., Lembo, A., Mearin, F., Norton, N. & Whorwell, P (2011). Severity in irritable bowel syndrome: a Rome Foundation Working Team report. Am J Gastroenterol, 106(10), 1749-59; quiz 1760. eScholarID:141395 | PMID:21747417 | DOI:10.1038/ajg.2011.201
  • Issa, B., Onon, T., Agrawal, A., Shekhar, C., Morris, J., Hamdy, S. & Whorwell, P (2011). Visceral hypersensitivity in endometriosis: a new target for treatment? Gut, eScholarID:141396 | PMID:21868492 | DOI:10.1136/gutjnl-2011-300306
  • Issa, B., Wafaei, N. & Whorwell, P (2011). Abdominal Bloating and Distension: What Is the Role of the Microbiota. Dig Dis Sci, eScholarID:141397 | PMID:21800157 | DOI:10.1007/s10620-011-1834-4
  • Shafe, A., Lee, S., Dalrymple, J. & Whorwell, P (2011). The LUCK study: Laxative Usage in patients with GP-diagnosed Constipation in the UK, within the general population and in pregnancy. An epidemiological study using the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Therap Adv Gastroenterol, 4(6), 343-63. eScholarID:141398 | PMID:22043228 | DOI:10.1177/1756283X11417483
  • Whorwell, P (2011). IBS: Hypnotherapy-a wasted resource? Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol, eScholarID:141394 | PMID:22143271 | DOI:10.1038/nrgastro.2011.235
  • Agrawal A, Whorwell PJ. (2011). Treatment of bloating and distension - role of probiotics. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 34(5), 580-581. eScholarID:141415
  • Whorwell PJ. (2011). Tackling conflicts of interest. Collaboration with industry facilitates useful research that wouldn't happen otherwise. British Medical Journal, 343, 1136-1136. eScholarID:141400

2010

  • Amselem, C., Puigdollers, A., Azpiroz, F., Sala, C., Videla, S., Fernández-Fraga, X., Whorwell, P. & Malagelada, J (2010). Constipation: a potential cause of pelvic floor damage? Neurogastroenterol Motil, 22(2), 150-3, e48. eScholarID:79249 | PMID:19761491 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01409.x
  • Carruthers, H., Morris, J., Tarrier, N. & Whorwell, P (2010). Mood color choice helps to predict response to hypnotherapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. BMC Complement Altern Med, 10(1), 75. eScholarID:103009 | PMID:21138549 | DOI:10.1186/1472-6882-10-75
  • Carruthers, H., Morris, J., Tarrier, N. & Whorwell, P (2010). Reactivity to images in health and irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 31(1), 131-42. eScholarID:79266 | PMID:19744134 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04143.x
  • Carruthers, H., Morris, J., Tarrier, N. & Whorwell, P (2010). The Manchester Color Wheel: development of a novel way of identifying color choice and its validation in healthy, anxious and depressed individuals. BMC Med Res Methodol, 10, 12. eScholarID:79250 | PMID:20144203 | DOI:10.1186/1471-2288-10-12

2009

  • Agrawal A, Houghton LA, Reilly B, Morris J, Whorwell PJ. (2009). Bloating and Distension in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: The Role of Gastrointestinal Transit. Am J Gastroenterol, eScholarID:1d20360 | DOI:10.1038/ajg.2009.251
  • Agrawal A, Khan MH, Whorwell PJ. (2009). Irritable bowel syndrome in the elderly: An overlooked problem? Dig Liver Dis, eScholarID:1d20358 | DOI:10.1016/j.dld.2009.03.011
  • Agrawal, A., Houghton, L., Morris, J., Reilly, B., Guyonnet, D., Goupil Feuillerat, N., Schlumberger, A., Jakob, S. & Whorwell, P (2009). Clinical trial: the effects of a fermented milk product containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173-010 on abdominal distension and gastrointestinal transit in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 29(1), 104-114. eScholarID:62445 | PMID:18801055 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03853.x
  • Beate Niesler, Johannes Kapeller, Catherine Fell, Wendy Atkinson, Dorothee Moller, Victoria Cox, Christine Fischer, Whorwell, PJ, Gudrun Rappold, Houghton, LA. (2009). 5-HTTLPR and STin2 polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene and irritable bowel syndrome: effect of bowel habit and gender. European J Gastroenterology and Hepatology, eScholarID:1d17627
  • Bijkerk, C., de Wit, N., Muris, J., Whorwell, P., Knottnerus, J. & Hoes, A (2009). Soluble or insoluble fibre in irritable bowel syndrome in primary care? Randomised placebo controlled trial. BMJ, 339, b3154. eScholarID:79247 | PMID:19713235 | DOI:10.1136/bmj.b3154
  • Carruthers H, Miller V, Morris J, Evans R, Tarrier N, Whorwell PJ. (2009). Using art to help understand the imagery of irritable bowel syndrome and its response to hypnotherapy. Int J Clin Exp Hypn, 57( 2), 162-73. eScholarID:1d18993 | DOI:10.1080/00207140802665401
  • Houghton, L., Brown, H., Atkinson, W., Morris, J., Fell, C., Whorwell, P., Lockhart, S. & Keevil, B (2009). 5-hydroxytryptamine signalling in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: effects of gender and menstrual status. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 30(9), 919-29. eScholarID:75136 | PMID:19691669 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04121.x
  • Miller V, Whorwell PJ. (2009). Hypnotherapy for functional gastrointestinal disorders: a review. Int J Clin Exp Hypn, 57( 3), 279-92. eScholarID:1d20359 | DOI:10.1080/00207140902881098
  • Shekhar, C. & Whorwell, P (2009). Emerging drugs for irritable bowel syndrome. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs, 14(4), 673-85. eScholarID:79246 | PMID:19939211 | DOI:10.1517/14728210903222279
  • Whorwell PJ. (2009). Behavioral therapy for IBS. Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol, 6( 3), 148-9. eScholarID:1d20355 | DOI:10.1038/ncpgasthep1361
  • Whorwell PJ. (2009). The problem of insoluble fibre in irritable bowel syndrome. BMJ, 338, eScholarID:1d20351

2008

  • Agrawal, A. & Whorwell, P (2008). Review article: abdominal bloating and distension in functional gastrointestinal disorders--epidemiology and exploration of possible mechanisms. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 27(1), 2-10. eScholarID:29177 | PMID:17931344 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03549.x
  • Agrawal, A., Houghton, L., Lea, R., Morris, J., Reilly, B. & Whorwell, P (2008). Bloating and distention in irritable bowel syndrome: the role of visceral sensation. Gastroenterology, 134(7), 1882-9. eScholarID:15693 | PMID:18455167 | DOI:10.1053/j.gastro.2008.02.096
  • Kapeller, J., Houghton, L., Monnikes, H., Walstab, J., Moller, D., Bonisch, H., Burwinkel, B., Autschbach, F., Funke, B., Lasitschka, F., Gassler, N., Fischer, C., Whorwell, P., Atkinson, W., Fell, C., Buchner, K., Schmidtmann, M., van der Voort, I., Wisser, A., Berg, T., Rappold, G. & Niesler, B (2008). First evidence for an association of a functional variant in the microRNA-510 target site of the serotonin receptor-type 3E gene with diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Hum Mol Genet, 17(19), 2967-77. eScholarID:62421 | PMID:18614545 | DOI:10.1093/hmg/ddn195
  • Miller V, Whorwell PJ. (2008). Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: a role for hypnotherapy? Int J Clin Exp Hypn, 56( 3), 306-17. eScholarID:1d21707 | DOI:10.1080/00207140802041884
  • Shekhar C, Whorwell PJ. (2008). Evaluation and management of patients with noncardiac chest pain. Gastroenterol Res Pract, 2008, eScholarID:1d21709 | DOI:10.1155/2008/708218
  • Shekhar C, Whorwell PJ. (2008). Tailor treatment to the patient in irritable bowel syndrome. Practitioner, 252( 1711), 23, 26, 28-9. eScholarID:1d21706
  • Whorwell PJ. (2008). Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: the response of colonic and noncolonic symptoms. J Psychosom Res, 64( 6), 621-3. eScholarID:1d21708 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.02.022
  • Agrawal A, Houghton LA, Morris JJA, Guyonnet D, Goupil Feuillerat N, Schlumberger N, Jakob S, Whorwell PJ. (2008). Fermented milk containing the Bifidobacterium animalis, DN-173 010 (FM) improves abdominal distension, bloating and transit in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. Gastroenterology, 134(4), A546. eScholarID:17d509

2007

  • Evans B, Clark W, Moore D, Whorwell PJ. (2007). Tegaserod for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, ( 4), eScholarID:1d21712 | DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD003960.pub3
  • Houghton L, Atkinson W, Lockhart C, Whorwell PJ, Keevil B. (2007). Sigmoid-colonic motility in health and irritable bowel syndrome: a role for 5-hydroxytryptamine. Neurogastroenterol Motil, 19( 9), 724-31. eScholarID:1d21715 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2007.00943.x
  • Houghton LA, Fell CCE, Whorwell PJ, I Jones, DP Sudworth, J Gale. (2007). Effect of a second generation alpha2delta ligand, pregabalin on visceral sensation: a randomised controlled pilot study. Gut, 56(9), 1218-25. eScholarID:1d12912 | DOI:10.1136/gut2006.110858
  • Houghton, L., Cremonini, F., Camilleri, M., Busciglio, I., Fell, C., Cox, V., Alpers, D., Dewit, O., Dukes, G., Gray, E., Lea, R., Zinsmeister, A. & Whorwell, P (2007). Effect of the NK(3) receptor antagonist, talnetant, on rectal sensory function and compliance in healthy humans. Neurogastroenterol Motil, 19(9), 732-43. eScholarID:29182 | PMID:17727393 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2007.00934.x
  • Spiller, R, Aziz, Q, Creed, F, Emmanuel, A, Houghton, L, Hungin, P, Jones, R, Kumar, D, Rubin, G, Trudgill, N, Whorwell, PJ, NULL. (2007). Guidelines on the irritable bowel syndrome: mechanisms and practical management. Gut, 56( 12), 1770-98. eScholarID:1d21717 | DOI:10.1136/gut.2007.119446
  • Whorwell PJ. (2007). The growing case for an immunological component to irritable bowel syndrome. Clin Exp Allergy, 37( 6), 805-7. eScholarID:1d21716 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02736.x

2006

  • Agrawal, A. & Whorwell, P (2006). Irritable bowel syndrome: diagnosis and management. BMJ, 332(7536), 280-3. eScholarID:18623 | PMID:16455728 | DOI:10.1136/bmj.332.7536.280
  • Atkinson, W., Lockhart, S., Whorwell, P., Keevil, B. & Houghton, L (2006). Altered 5-hydroxytryptamine signaling in patients with constipation- and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology, 130(1), 34-43. eScholarID:10143 | PMID:16401466 | DOI:10.1053/j.gastro.2005.09.031
  • Houghton, L., Atkinson, W., Whorwell, P., Morris, J., Murdoch, R., Cooper, S., Webber, D. & Walls, C (2006). Effects of cilomilast, a selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, on esophageal motility and pH, and orocecal and colonic transit: two single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-part crossover studies in healthy volunteers. Clin Ther, 28(4), 569-81. eScholarID:32453 | PMID:16750468 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinthera.2006.04.003
  • Jones H, Cooper P, Miller V, Brooks N, Whorwell PJ. (2006). Treatment of non-cardiac chest pain: a controlled trial of hypnotherapy. Gut, 55, 1403-8. eScholarID:1d27424 | DOI:10.1136/gut.2005.086694
  • Whorwell, P (2006). Effective management of irritable bowel syndrome--the Manchester Model. Int J Clin Exp Hypn, 54(1), 21-6. eScholarID:62697 | PMID:16316881 | DOI:10.1080/00207140500323006
  • Whorwell, P., Altringer, L., Morel, J., Bond, Y., Charbonneau, D., O'Mahony, L., Kiely, B., Shanahan, F. & Quigley, E (2006). Efficacy of an encapsulated probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol, 101(7), 1581-90. eScholarID:10175 | PMID:16863564 | DOI:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00734.x

2005

  • Agrawal, A. & Whorwell, P (2005). Hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome: a role in pediatric practice? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 41 Suppl 1, S49-50. eScholarID:49279 | PMID:16131969
  • Cremonini, F., Houghton, L., Camilleri, M., Ferber, I., Fell, C., Cox, V., Castillo, E., Alpers, D., Dewit, O., Gray, E., Lea, R., Zinsmeister, A. & Whorwell, P (2005). Barostat testing of rectal sensation and compliance in humans: comparison of results across two centres and overall reproducibility. Neurogastroenterol Motil, 17(6), 810-20. eScholarID:10224 | PMID:16336496 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2005.00709.x
  • Gonsalkorale, W. & Whorwell, P (2005). Hypnotherapy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 17(1), 15-20. eScholarID:49322 | PMID:15647634
  • Houghton, L. & Whorwell, P (2005). Towards a better understanding of abdominal bloating and distension in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Neurogastroenterol Motil, 17(4), 500-11. eScholarID:29375 | PMID:16078938 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2982.2005.00666.x
  • Lea, R. & Whorwell, P (2005). The role of food intolerance in irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterol Clin North Am, 34(2), 247-55. eScholarID:25339 | PMID:15862933 | DOI:10.1016/j.gtc.2005.02.005
  • Smith, P., Bishop, P. & Whorwell, P (2005). Collagenous colitis, ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease and hyperparathyroidism in one patient: implications for the management of collagenous colitis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 17(11), 1239-42. eScholarID:49354 | PMID:16215438
  • Whorwell, P (2005). Review article: The history of hypnotherapy and its role in the irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 22(11-12), 1061-7. eScholarID:62609 | PMID:16305719 | DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02697.x

2004

  • Atkinson W, Sheldon T, Shaath N, Whorwell PJ. (2004). Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Gut, 53( 10), 1459-64. eScholarID:1d9576 | DOI:10.1136/gut.2003.037697

2003

  • Gonsalkorale W, Perrey C, Pravica V, Whorwell PJ, Hutchinson I. (2003). Interleukin 10 genotypes in irritable bowel syndrome: evidence for an inflammatory component? Gut, 52( 1), 91-3. eScholarID:1d7239

2002

  • Calvert E, Houghton LA, Cooper P, Morris J, Whorwell PJ. (2002). Long-term improvement in functional dyspepsia using hypnotherapy. Gastroenterology, 123( 6), 1778-85. eScholarID:1d7241 | DOI:10.1053/gast.2002.37071

2001

  • Lewis M, Reilly B, Houghton LA, Whorwell PJ. (2001). Ambulatory abdominal inductance plethysmography towards objective assessment of abdominal distension in irritable bowel syndrome. Gut, 48, 216-220. eScholarID:1d4437

  • Lea, R. & Whorwell, P Expert commentary--bloating, distension, and the irritable bowel syndrome. MedGenMed, 7(1), 18. eScholarID:8084 | PMID:16369323

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