Cristina C. Almansa Menchero, Ph.D.

The research of Cristina C. Almansa Menchero, Ph.D., focuses on the functional gastrointestinal disorders, a group of diseases without a clearly recognized biochemical or structural cause that affect all segments of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dr. Almansa and her colleagues have been working in the association of these with fibromyalgia and psychological distress. They are assessing potential mechanisms of chronic cough and investigating which is the role of acid reflux and whether there is also a relationship with functional gastrointestinal disorders and psychological distress.

Focus areas

• Association and overlap of functional gastrointestinal disorders with other conditions of uncertain origin
• Acid reflux and associated esophageal and extraesophageal conditions
• Esophageal motility disorders, noncardiac chest pain and eosinophilic esophagitis
• Quality of colorectal cancer screening

Significance to patient care

Understanding the overlap and potential relationship between functional gastrointestinal disorders and other extraintestinal conditions of uncertain origin, such as fibromyalgia, might help to improve their current management.

It may also enable clinicians to offer a more personalized and integrative approach to people who experience symptoms related to different organs and systems, and it may eventually lead to new therapies that target the pathophysiology of these conditions.

Professional highlights

• Member, Neurogastroenterology and Motility Section, Faculty of 1000, 2011-2012
• Associate Editor, American Gastroenterology Association Journal Club, 2011
• Ph.D. Dissertation Magna Cum Laude, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain, 2009
• Scientific Reviewer — Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive and Liver Disease, Diseases of the Esophagus, Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs, Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics; scored as one of the top 50 reviewers in 2010 (among 760) and 2011 (among 870), 2008-present
• Jon I. Isenberg International Research Scholar Award, American Gastroenterological Association Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, 2006