[Comparison of Helicobacter pylori eradication rate in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and peptic ulcer diseases according to proton pump inhibitors]

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Conflicting results have been reported whether patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) respond differently to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication treatment compared with patients with peptic ulcer diseases (PUD). The aim of this study was to evaluate any difference in H. pylori eradication rates between patients with NUD and PUD according to each proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

METHODS

From September, 2004 to April, 2007, we retrospectively reviewed 2,297 patients with NUD (1,050 patients) or PUD (1,247 patients) infected with H. pylori. All patients received a standard 1 week triple therapy comprising of one of the five PPIs (pantoprazole, esomeprazole, omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole), clarithromycin and amoxicillin. The follow-up H. pylori test was performed 4 weeks after the completion of therapy.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the eradication rates between the two groups. In comparison of eradication rates according to PPI, omeprazole- based triple therapy group showed higher eradication rate than other groups in patients with NUD, but not in patients with PUD.

CONCLUSIONS

This study failed to show any difference in H. pylori eradication rate between patients with NUD and PUD. There is no convincing evidence that the eradication rate may be affected by different PPI.

[Major gastrointestinal syndromes (2): dyspepsia or syndrome of the upper digestive system related with food (2)]

We expose, this time, our ideas and findings on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of the dyspeptic syndrome.

Efficacy and safety of pantoprazole 20 mg once daily treatment in patients with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of pantoprazole 20 mg once daily (o.d.) in relieving epigastric pain associated with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study, patients experiencing ulcer-like functional dyspepsia, with epigastric pain as the predominant symptom, were randomised to receive pantoprazole 20 mg or placebo o.d. for 28 days. Primary endpoint was the complete relief (i.e. absence) from epigastric pain after 28 days' treatment. The odds ratio (OR) for pantoprazole/placebo and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined. Significant superiority of pantoprazole was concluded if the value 1.0 was above this interval.

RESULTS

Of 419 patients (intention-to-treat [ITT]) randomised to treatment, 207 received pantoprazole and 212 received placebo. Epigastric pain relief was achieved after 28 days' treatment in 55% of pantoprazole recipients and 45% of placebo recipients (per-protocol [PP]: 58% and 47%, respectively). Pantoprazole demonstrated statistically significant superiority compared with placebo in the ITT (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46-0.99) and PP populations (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42-0.98). Pantoprazole was more efficacious than placebo in relieving heartburn and acid regurgitation after 7, 14 and 28 days of treatment. The sum score of gastrointestinal symptoms after 28 days was statistically significantly lower in the pantoprazole than placebo group. Fewer patients receiving concomitant psychotropic medication experienced relief from epigastric pain than those not receiving such medication. Adverse events did not significantly differ between pantoprazole and placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that pantoprazole 20 mg is more efficacious than placebo, and is a well-tolerated treatment for relieving epigastric pain in patients with ulcer-like functional dyspepsia. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Gastritis, dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease remains a common problem and it most frequently due to the presence of an Helicobacter pylori infection or use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Dyspepsia is neither sensitive or specific for diagnosing peptic ulcer disease. The approach to patients with dyspepsia is to arrive at a definitive diagnosis without unnecessary exposure to invasive or costly diagnostic procedures. Non-invasive testing is preferred with endoscopy being reserved for those with alarm markers or above a specified age (e.g., 55 years in Western countries). Patients negative for H. pylori infection should receive an empiric trial of acid suppression for 4 to 8 weeks and if beneficial it can be continued.

Managing uninvestigated dyspepsia in primary care

Test and treat for Helicobacter pylori is still as good as proton pump inhibitors first

[Clinical aspects with prognostic value in gastric cancer--analysis of 468 cases with gastric adenocarcinoma]

The aim of this study is to assess clinico-pathological parameters and find out the correlation between them and their possible prognostic value. We made a retrospective analysis of a group of 468 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma which were operated in the 3rd Surgical Clinic--Cluj Napoca--01.01.1998-31.12.2003. The median age was 62 years. Patients in pTNM 0 stage were significantly younger than the rest of patients, with an average of 7.5 years. The male/female ratio was 1.7:1, this ratio being significantly higher in cases with proximal gastric cancers. There was not found any significant correlation between the interval : onset of symptoms and surgery, and pTNM stage. The most frequent signs and symptoms were epigastric pain, weight loss, indigestion, fatigue, pallor and loss of appetite, each of them were found in more than 40% patients. Multivariate analysis of symptoms showed that weight loss (p=0.00638) was independently correlated to advanced pTNM stages. The number of signs and symptoms was significantly correlated to advanced pTNM stages (p=0.000026). This significant group of patients studied has maintained characteristics encountered in populations with higher incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma, men being more frequently affected, distal localization and intestinal histologic type being encountered more frequently.

Role and clinical importance of Helicobacter pylori infection in hemodialysis patients

Dyspepsia is an extrarenal symptom frequently found in hemodialysed patients; it is due to chronic renal failure, and uremic gastritis is a specific associated condition in chronic renal failure (CRF). On the other hand, in the general population, Helicobacter pylori infection is an important dyspepsia-related risk factor; its close connections with gastro-duodenal pathology are already known, above all the peptic disease in a really exclusive way. By observation of a dyalitic group of patients, opportunely matched with a no CRF group, we evaluated CRF-associated uremia and Helicobacter pylori infection which could eventually interact causing symptoms and lesions. A statistical analysis of obtained data allowed us to conclude that, although there is not, from an epidemiological view-point, a larger diffusion of Helicobacter pylori among dyalitic patients compared to general population, moreover the infection is uremia-synergic in causing gastro-duodenal symptoms and lesions. These findings, therefore, suggest systematically investigation a possible Helicobacter pylori infection in CRF patients and its relation to gastritis grading, and searching for probable active peptic lesions.

A 32-year-old woman with chronic abdominal pain

Functional dyspepsia is a highly prevalent disorder that accounts for 5% of visits to primary care clinicians. It frequently coexists with other gastrointestinal tract disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Symptoms of functional dyspepsia, including epigastric pain, early satiety, and postprandial nausea, are nonspecific, making its diagnosis difficult. Functional dyspepsia is a heterogeneous disorder involving a number of different pathophysiologic processes, culminating in both gastrointestinal sensory and motor dysfunction. Although functional dyspepsia does not impart any increased risks to long-term health, it significantly affects both individuals and society. The economic burden of evaluating and treating functional dyspepsia is estimated to be at least $1 billion per year, and patients with functional dyspepsia experience a markedly reduced quality of life. Using the case of Ms C, we apply an evidence-based approach to highlight current knowledge in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of functional dyspepsia.

Development of functional diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia during and after traveling outside the USA

BACKGROUND

Persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms after travel abroad may be common. It remains unclear how often subjects who developed new GI symptoms while abroad have persistent symptoms on return. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the prevalence of persistent GI symptoms in a healthy cohort of travelers.

METHODS

One hundred and eight consecutive patients, mostly returned missionaries, attending the University of Utah International Travel Clinic for any reason (but mostly GI symptoms) had data recorded about their bowel habits before, during, and after travel abroad. All subjects had standard hematological, biochemical, and microbiological tests to exclude known causes of their symptoms. Endoscopic procedures were performed when considered necessary by the treating physician. Diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, and dyspepsia were defined according to the Rome II Criteria.

RESULTS

Eighty three (82% men and 18% women, median age 21 years) completed the survey with 68 subjects completing the questionnaire about bowel habits before and during travel. Among the respondents, 55 (82.1%) did not have any symptoms before travel. During travel, 41 (63%) developed new onset diarrhea; 6 (9%) developed constipation; 16 (24%) IBS, 29 (45%) bloating; and 11 (16%) dyspepsia. Of those who developed symptoms during travel, 27 (68%) had persistent diarrhea, 3 (50%) had persistent constipation, 10 (63%) had persistent IBS, 12 (43%) had persistent bloating and 8 (73%) had persistent dyspepsia. The presence of bowel symptoms during and after travel was not associated with age, gender, travel destination, or duration of travel.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that new onset of diarrhea, IBS, constipation, and dyspepsia are common among subjects traveling abroad. Gastrointestinal symptoms that develop during travel abroad usually persist on return.

["The Roman criteria-III" and syndrome of functional (gastroduodenal) dyspepsia]

Renovated criteria of syndrome of functional dyspepsia (SFD) in the light of "The Roman criteria--III" (2006): definition, prevalence, disputable terminological questions, problem of etiology and pathogenesis; are represented in the article. Revised clinical variants of SFD, differential diagnostics between SFD and irritable intestine syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease; are considered. Substantiation of state-of-the-art methods of SFD therapy are given.

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia in Korea: a population-based study

Various reports on the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and uninvestigated dyspepsia have been conducted in Western countries. We sought to determine the frequency of GERD symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia in Korea. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,044 individuals. Of all subjects, 7.1% reported that GERD symptoms were present at least once a week, and 3.8% at least twice a week. The prevalence of heartburn according to educational level and acid regurgitation according to age was significantly different (P < 0.05). The prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia was reported as 12.2%. Dyspepsia was divided into subgroups of 34% ulcer-like, 56% dysmotility-like, and 10% nonspecific. The occurrence of dyspepsia did not vary according to age, gender, educational level and household income. As frequency of GERD symptoms increased, quality of life significantly decreased. We concluded that GERD symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia were prevalent in Korea. The prevalence was similar to that of other Asian countries.

[Diabetes mellitus and dyspepsia syndrome]

The frequency of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with diabetes mellitus is higher than in non-diabetic subjects. The origin of dyspepsia in diabetics is debatable. The development of this condition appears to depend on sex, duration of the disease, diabetic complications, correction of hyperglycemia, and infection by different strains of Helicobacterpylori. In patients without organic gastrointestinal diseases, dyspeptic symptoms may be regarded as manifestations of autonomous diabetic neuropathy or of functional dyspepsia syndrome in the absence of neuropathy.

[Relevance of examination and treatment of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in children in Lithuania during the last decade]

In the last decade, scientific studies in the field of children's gastroenterology performed in Lithuania explored different problems: pathology of Helicobacter pylori infection and food allergy. Our studies revealed that children with atopic dermatitis had gastrointestinal complaints (abdominal pain, diarrhea, distension and unstable stool, which appeared with the exacerbation of skin rash) more often as compared to nonallergic children of the control group. Abdominal pain in children with atopic dermatitis with local rash was more frequent and lasted longer than in control group children, whereas children with extended rash had stools more frequently. Gastrointestinal disorders in children with atopic dermatitis statistically significantly did not depend on the extent of skin rash and severity of atopic dermatitis. In our scientific research on the importance of H. pylori infection on children's gastrointestinal system, children with chronic dyspepsia were examined. Endoscopy, rapid urease test, biopsies from antrum and corpus of stomach and their histological examination as well as serologic tests were done. According to the results obtained, we recommend to examine children with chronic dyspepsia in a complex way: not only endoscopic examination, but H. pylori diagnostic tests should be performed as well. Serologic test is not suitable for screening H. pylori infection in children. Considering this, we recommend to use no fewer than two different methods to diagnose this infection. The highest frequency of H. pylori infection was found in children with duodenal ulcer; histological changes in their gastric pylorus and corpus mucosa were greatest. More than half of children with nonulcer dyspepsia were infected with H. pylori. After eradication of H. pylori infection, the prevalence of dyspepsia in children with duodenal ulcer decreased.

Dyspepsia in childhood and adolescence: insights and treatment considerations

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is common in children, with as many as 80% of those being evaluated for chronic abdominal pain reporting symptoms of epigastric discomfort, nausea, or fullness. It is known that patients with persistent complaints have increased comorbidities such as depression and anxiety. The interaction with psychopathologic variables has been found to mediate the association between upper abdominal pain and gastric hypersensitivity. These observations suggest that abnormal central nervous system processing of gastric stimuli may be a relevant pathophysiologic mechanism in FD. Despite increased understanding, no specific therapy has emerged; however, recent nonpharmacological-based options such as hypnosis may be effective. Novel approaches, including dietary manipulation and use of nutraceuticals such as ginger and Iberogast (Medical Futures Inc., Ontario, Canada), may also be considered.

Water load test before and after PPI therapy in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease may complain of epigastric pain, bloating, early satiety, epigastric fullness, epigastric burning, nausea and vomiting.

AIMS

To evaluate the symptoms in response to gastric distension and its relationship to a therapeutic course in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease using the water load test, compared to healthy controls.

METHODS

Thirty gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients with grade A oesophagitis (studied before and after 4 weeks of therapy with esomeprazole, 40 mg per day) and 15 patients with reflux-related symptoms demonstrated at wireless pH monitoring (non-erosive reflux disease) were compared to 30 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

Patients with grade A oesophagitis and with reflux-related symptoms ingested significantly lower water volumes than did controls, before onset of fullness, without statistically significant difference between erosive or non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; this variable improved in patients after treatment. Nausea scores were higher basally in patients, pre- and post-therapy, and improved after therapy. Thirty-minute fullness and bloating scores improved after therapy in all gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients compared to controls and pre-therapy. In all pre-treatment patients, a significant correlation was found only with epigastric fullness; after treatment, there was no significant relationship between the water load and the symptom scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with reflux-related symptoms, with or without grade A oesophagitis, the water load test is frequently abnormal, suggesting an altered gastric function. This could explain the incomplete resolution of symptoms after treatment in some patients, and should lead to additional studies aimed at exploring gastric function in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients.

Artificial neural networks can classify uninvestigated patients with dyspepsia

There is consensus on investigating older patients presenting with or without alarm symptoms and/or risk factors, and irrespective of their Helicobacter pylori status. Remaining patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia, however, represents a 'grey' population for whom no clearly defined guidelines have been delineated. Physicians often struggle with the decision of whether or not to undertake noninvasive testing, treat dyspeptic patients empirically or perform an invasive endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. We have explored the contribution of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to provide appropriate interpretation of presenting complaints and clinical characteristics for these patients. By taking into account all the 86 recorded features of 101 dyspeptic patients, the overall predictive capability of ANNs in sorting out organic from functional disease amounted to 74.2% and increased to a figure of 85.0% when only the 55 best performing input variables were analyzed. The ANNs performed much better in extracting those patients with a functional dyspepsia (90% accuracy rate), but even in patients with organic disease the 80% accuracy value was remarkable. In patients with an uninvestigated dyspepsia, ANNs found a unique combination of socioenvironmental data, past medical history, risk factors for organic disease, and presenting abdominal complaints that each patient brings to the clinical encounter. With this ability, ANNs can be used to assist in the classification and treatment of patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia, and to bring a greater level of confidence to this process.

[Functional gastrointestinal disorders]

Functional gastrointestinal disorders particularly dyspepsia an irritable bowel syndrome are frequent problems for the general practitioner and also for the specialist. Both are diseases and not only a kind of discomfort. The high frequency of dispepsia and irritable bowel syndrome induces very high direct and indirect charges. Both diseases depend on a number of factors or causes, for whom the evidence is not good. But there are good experimental data for the visceral hypersensitivity as one of the main factors. Gastroscopy is the most important examination in the diagnosis of dyspepsia. Endoscopy has to be done in all patients with alarm symptoms an in all patients older than 45 years. The therapy of dyspepsia is an empirical one. The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is a therapeutical option, but only 8% of the patients will have benefit for a long time. Other therapeutical options are the use of proton-pump inhibitors, prokinetics or phytotherapeutics. The therapy of the irritable bowel syndrome depends on the subtype of the disease (diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating). First of all a good doctor-patient relationship is mandatory. Furthermore the use of dietary fibre, antidiarrhoeics, laxatives and muscle relaxants may be beneficial. And phytotherapeutics can be an additional therapeutic approach.

[Cognitive behavioural therapy of functional recurrent abdominal pain in children]

Recurrent abdominal pain affects 10-20% of schoolchildren and is responsible for 2-4% of all pediatric office visits. In about 90% of cases the pain is termed functional as it cannot be explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities and medical treatment has only modest efficacy. Cognitive behavioural therapy of functional abdominal pain in children is a more recent treatment. A systematic literature review identifies only 5 randomised, controlled trials. The results from these studies indicate that the treatment reduces pain intensity and the frequency of pain episodes.

Drinking capacity and severity of dyspeptic symptoms during a water load test after Nissen fundoplication

Up to 30% of subjects undergoing Nissen fundoplication develop dyspeptic symptoms. Previous studies using the water load test have shown that functional dyspepsia patients have a diminished drinking capacity due to increased visceral sensitivity. Here we investigate drinking capacity and severity of symptoms in 9 patients with dyspeptic symptoms after fundoplication, 9 patients without symptoms after surgery, 18 functional dyspepsia patients, and 18 controls. The water load test was performed by having subjects drinking room-temperature tap water at a predetermined rate of 15 ml/min. The presence and severity of symptoms during the test were evaluated every 5 min using a Likert scale. We found that patients with dyspeptic symptoms after fundoplication had a significantly lower drinking capacity and higher symptoms scores than controls (P<0.05) but values similar to those of functional dyspepsia patients (P>0.05). In contrast, drinking capacity in patients without symptoms after surgery was similar to that in controls (P>0.05). These findings suggest that, as in functional dyspepsia, severe dyspeptic symptoms after Nissen fundoplication are associated with an impaired drinking capacity, reflecting visceral hypersensitivity or impaired gastric accommodation or both.

[Optimal age for gastric cancer screening in patients with dyspepsia without alarm symptoms]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal age for screening endoscopy on patients with dyspepsia without alarm symptoms to avoid missing gastric cancer.

METHODS

A Cross sectional study was performed (2001-2005). 285 cases of patients with dyspepsia and gastric cancer were found at Arzobispo Loayza National Hospital. Cumulative age frequencies and percentiles were used to determine the optimal age for screening endoscopy. Both groups, with and without alarm symptoms were compared using the chi-square test for categorical data. Continuous data was expressed as mean (SD) and was compared with the t- test. Significant values of p were specified as <0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 32,388 upper endoscopic procedures in dyspeptic patients were performed and 285 cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed, 45 cases of them not featuring any alarm symptoms were found. There were no differences in cumulative frequency between the <35 and <40 years old, with a frequency of 0.29 and 0.20 per 1000 endoscopies, respectively. If the age of 40 had been taken as the optimal age for screening, 4 cases of gastric cancer (8.9%) would have been missed (one case per year approximately), one case would have been an early gastric cancer. The 5th percentile was 30.3 years old and the 10th was 39.4. If the age of 45 had been taken as the optimal age for screening, 6 (15%) cases of gastric cancer would have been missed and 12 (27%) cases if the age was 55 years old. There was no statistical difference between gender, age and duration of dyspepsia. On the other hand, relations between type of dyspepsia (ulcerative), type of lesion, position, histology and stage of gastric cancer for both groups were found.

CONCLUSION

It's recommended that the optimal age for endoscopic screening for gastric cancer in dyspeptic patients without alarm symptoms for both genders, should be over 40 years old.

Natural history of functional gastrointestinal disorders: a 12-year longitudinal population-based study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) are common in the community. The natural history of FGID is unknown because of a lack of prospective population-based studies and the indistinct nature of the phenotype. We sought to report the natural history of FGID in a US population.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study used data from multiple validated surveys of random samples of Olmsted County, MN, residents over a mean of a 12-year period between 1988 and 2003 (n = 1365). The surveys measured gastrointestinal symptoms experienced during the past year. Each subject received a minimum of 2 surveys. Point prevalence, onset, and disappearance rates and transition probabilities were calculated for individual FGIDs.

RESULTS

Between the initial and final surveys, the point prevalences (per 100 residents) were stable for irritable bowel syndrome (8.3% and 11.4%, respectively) and functional dyspepsia (1.9% and 3.3%, respectively). The onset of each of the disorders studied was greater than the disappearance rate, but the transition probabilities varied across the different subgroups. Among people with symptoms at baseline, approximately 20% had the same symptoms, 40% had no symptoms, and 40% had different symptoms at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the prevalence of the FGID was stable over time, the turnover in symptom status was high. Many episodes of symptom disappearance were due to subjects changing symptoms rather than total symptom resolution. This transition between different FGIDs suggests a common etiopathogenesis.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or not, and in whom?

Despite progress in knowledge and effective therapies for acid-sensitive problems the indications for gastroscopy seem even more confusing than before. The primary care physician, faced with the patient with undifferentiated symptoms, is now less sure when to seek an endoscopy which is actively discouraged in many health care settings. Management guidelines, based essentially on maximizing the yield from endoscopy, may define the direction of travel but do not sit comfortably in the consultation setting.

Implementation of a guideline versus use of individual prognostic factors to prioritize waiting lists for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

BACKGROUND

Studying factors associated with positive gastroscopies in dyspeptic patients can help limit and rationalize waiting lists for endoscopies. Dyspepsia guidelines have a controversial role because their main purpose is to provide specifications on efficient global management of primary care patients.

AIM

To assess and weigh the risk of major endoscopic diagnoses against different age groups, gender, Helicobacter pylori infection, compliance with European Society of Primary Care Gastroenterology (ESPCG) guideline statements, and participation of prescribing general practitioners in a quality improvement programme for dyspepsia management, based on these guidelines.

METHODS

We consecutively studied the outcomes of 752 gastroscopies with respect to two sets of useful results: the first considered diagnoses of carcinoma, gastric and duodenal ulcer; the second excluded duodenal ulcer.

RESULTS

A diagnosis of cancer or gastric/duodenal ulcer was associated with male sex (odds ratio (OR)=1.81, P=0.016), age above 41 years (OR=3.24, P=0.009) and particularly with positivity to H. pylori (OR=4.49, P<0.001), while the risk increased by two and a half times in gastroscopies conforming with ESPCG guidelines (OR=2.47, P=0.003). In the second set of analysis, we noted a statistically significant correlation between cancer or gastric ulcer and compliance with ESPCG guidelines (OR=4.69, P=0.013), but not with H. pylori positivity (OR=1.83, P=0.11); a linear relationship was observed across age groups, with a 60% increase in the risk of disease with every 5-year increase in age (OR=1.59, P=0.002).

CONCLUSION

Participation of general practitioners in the Dyspepsia Management Programme (DMP) was not significantly associated with a positive gastroscopy.

Prevalence and risk factors of gallstone disease in a high altitude Saudi population

To study the prevalence of gallstone disease and related risk factors in a Saudi Arabian population a cross-sectional community-based study was made of 291 people from Abha district, Asir region. A structured interview collected background data and all participants had upper abdominal ultrasonography to detect gallstones. The overall prevalence of gallstone disease was 11.7%. Using logistic regression multivariate analysis, the following were significant risk factors for gallstone disease: female sex, family history of gallstone disease and past history of pancreatitis. Age, education, blood pressure, smoking, coffee intake, overweight, diabetes mellitus, number of pregnancies and use of oral contraceptives were not significant risk factors. Discriminant analysis of symptoms showed that only right hypochondrium pain was significantly associated with gallstone disease.

A preliminary study of neck-stomach syndrome

AIM: To determine the expression of c-Fos, caspase-3 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the cervical cord and stomach of rats with cervical spondylosis, to analyze their relationship, and to offer an explanation of one possible cause for functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) caused by cervical spondylosis.

METHODS: The cervical spondylosis model in rats was established by destroying the stability of cervical posterior column. The cord segments C4-6 and gastric antrum were collected 3 mo and 5 mo after the operation. Rats with the sham operation were used as controls. The expressions of c-Fos, caspase-3 and IL-1β in the cervical cord and gastric antrum were determined by immunohistochemistry and/or Western blot.

RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining showed a few c-Fos, caspase-3 and IL-1β-positive cells in the cervical cord and antrum in the control. There was a significant increase in c-Fos, caspase-3 and IL-1β expression in model groups compared to the control groups at 3 mo and 5 mo after operation. More importantly, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in c-Fos, caspase-3 and IL-1β expression in the model group rats at 3 mo compared to those at 5 mo after the operation (c-Fos: 11.20 ± 2.26 vs 27.68 ± 4.36 in the cervical cord, 11.3 ± 2.3 vs 29.3 ± 4.6 in the gastric antrum; caspase-3: 33.83 ± 3.71 vs 36.32 ± 4.01 in the cervical cord, 13.23 ± 3.21 vs 26.32 ± 4.01 in the gastric antrum; IL-1β: 42.06 ± 2.95 vs 45.91 ± 3.98 in the cervical cord, 26.56 ± 2.65 vs 32.01 ± 2.98 in the gastric antrum). Western blot analysis showed time-dependent changes of caspase-3 and IL-1β protein in the cervical cord and gastric antrum of rats with cervical spondylosis; there was no significant expression of caspase-3 and IL-1β protein in the control group at 3 mo and 5 mo after the sham operation, whereas there was a significant difference in caspase-3 and IL-1β protein levels between the model group rats followed up for 3 mo and those for 5 mo (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: There is a significant association of c-Fos, caspase-3 and IL-1β expressions in the gastric antrum with that in the spinal cord in rats with cervical spondylosis, suggesting that the gastrointestinal function may be affected by cervical spondylosis.

Landau-Kleffner syndrome with lateral temporal focal cortical dysplasia and mesial temporal sclerosis: a 30-year follow-up

A 39-year-old man, who presented at age 312 with Landau-Kleffner syndrome, had persisting oral and written language deficits into adulthood. Seizures were easily controlled in childhood, but reemerged in adulthood as medication-refractory complex partial seizures. Abnormal T2 signal hyperintensity was seen in the left mesial temporal area on brain MRI. Later, left temporal lobectomy revealed focal cortical dysplasia in the lateral temporal neocortex and gliosis plus neuronal loss in the hippocampus. This case suggests that focal cortical microdysgenesis may be a cause of the Landau-Kleffner syndrome. Persistent seizures in this illustrative case may have led to the evolution of dual-temporal-lobe pathology with mesial temporal sclerosis.

Prevalence of oesophageal eosinophils and eosinophilic oesophagitis in adults: the population-based Kalixanda study

BACKGROUND

Eosinophilic oesophagitis may be increasing but the prevalence in the general population remains unknown. Our aim was to assess this and the presence of eosinophils in the distal oesophageal epithelium in the community.

METHODS

Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed in a random sample (n = 1000) of the adult Swedish population (mean age 54 years, 49% men). Oesophageal biopsy samples were obtained from 2 cm above, and at, the Z-line. Any eosinophil infiltration of the epithelium was defined as "eosinophils present". Definite eosinophilic oesophagitis was defined as > or =20, probable as 15-19, and possible as 5-14 eosinophils/high-power field (HPF, at magnification x 40) in oesophageal biopsy specimens.

RESULTS

Eosinophils were present in 48 subjects (4.8%, 95% CI 3.5 to 6.1%, mean age 54 years, 63% men), in 54% without troublesome reflux symptoms. Definite eosinophilic oesophagitis was present in four subjects (0.4%, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.8%, mean age 51 years, 75% men) and probable eosinophilic oesophagitis in seven subjects (0.7%, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.2%, mean age 58 years, 43% men). Erosive oesophagitis (OR = 2.99, 95% CI 1.58 to 5.66) and absence of dyspepsia (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.75) and Helicobacter pylori infection (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.92) were independent predictors for "eosinophils present". Definite eosinophilic oesophagitis was associated with dysphagia (2/66 vs 2/926, p = 0.025), and probable eosinophilic oesophagitis with narrowing of the oesophageal lumen (2/15 vs 5/978, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Oesophageal eosinophils were present in nearly 5% of the general population; approximately 1% had definite or probable eosinophilic oesophagitis. Oesophageal eosinophils may be a manifestation of reflux disease in adults, but the condition is as likely to be asymptomatic and go unrecognised.

Who consults with dyspepsia? Results from a longitudinal 10-yr follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

Dyspepsia is common, and the condition is often chronic, with a relapsing and remitting nature. Factors influencing the decision to consult a physician with symptoms remain unclear.

METHODS

The authors conducted a 10-yr follow-up longitudinal survey of individuals originally involved in a community-screening program for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). All surviving, traceable participants were contacted by validated postal dyspepsia questionnaire. Baseline demographic data, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptom data, and quality of life at study entry were already on file. Consent to examine primary care records was requested, and data regarding nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and aspirin use, and dyspepsia and IBS-related consultations over the 10-yr study period were extracted from these.

RESULTS

Of 8,407 individuals originally involved, 3,266 (39%) gave consent to examination of primary care records. The mean age of included individuals was 55 yr, and 1,467 (45%) were male. 1,738 (53%) had dyspepsia, and 729 (42%) of these consulted a primary care physician as a result. Following multivariate logistic regression, H. pylori infection (odds ratio [OR] 1.76, 99% confidence interval [CI] 1.30-2.39), lower socioeconomic status (OR 1.68, 99% CI 1.02-2.76), frequent (OR 2.61, 99% CI 1.69-4.01) or severe (OR 1.87, 99% CI 0.99-3.52) symptoms, and increasing age (OR per year 1.06, 99% CI 1.0-1.11) were independent risk factors for consultation.

CONCLUSIONS

Reasons for consulting a physician with dyspepsia are multifactorial, but H. pylori infection, lower socioeconomic status, frequent or severe symptoms, and increasing age are independent predictors of consultation.

Air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux in patients with functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Frequent belching is a common symptom in patients with functional dyspepsia with a reported incidence up to 80%. We hypothesized that patients with functional dyspepsia possibly have a higher frequency of belching than healthy subjects secondary to frequent air swallowing.

AIM

To assess air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux patterns of patients with functional dyspepsia.

METHODS

Combined 24-h oesophageal impedance and pH monitoring was performed in 10 functional dyspepsia patients and 10 controls. Analysis of the impedance-pH signals included incidence of air swallows, belching, acid and non-acid reflux.

RESULTS

The incidence of air swallows in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher compared with controls (153 +/- 15 vs. 79 +/- 10, P < 0.001), while the incidence of liquid-only swallows were not significantly increased. The proportions of gas-containing reflux episodes (belches) and non-acid reflux episodes in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher when compared with controls (66.4 vs. 44.4%, P = 0.04 and 70.1 vs. 45.9%, P = 0.009, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Patients with functional dyspepsia swallow air more frequently than controls and this is associated with an increased incidence of non-acid gaseous gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Correlation between endoscopic suspicion of gastric cancer and histology in Nigerian patients with dyspepsia

Gastric mucosal biopsies of 77 dyspeptic patients whose endoscopic features were suggestive of cancer and 56 patients with uncomplicated duodenal ulcer (DU) were subjected to histopathological analysis. Gastric cancer was confirmed in 18 (23.4%) of the 77 patients but not in 59 (76.6%). 4 (5.2%) of the 18 patients had early gastric cancer (EGC). Histopathological findings in the stomach biopsy of the 59 patients in whom cancer could not be confirmed were compared with those of the 56 patients with DU. Intestinal metaplasia (IM) was present in 32.2% of the 59 cases with endoscopic suspicion of gastric cancer and in 16.1% of the 56 DU controls (P < 0.05). Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) occurred in 28.8% of the cancer-resembling cases and in 12.5% of the DU patients (P < 0.05). The difference in the prevalence of gastric mucosal atrophy and Helicobacter pylori infection between the two groups (83% vs. 71.4%) did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.10). All 18 patients with gastric cancer were positive for Helicobacter pylori and the prevalence of the infection approached 95% in those with IM and MALT. This study shows that IM and MALT present with endoscopic appearances that resemble that of gastric cancer and that along with the latter, their main aetiological agent is Helicobacter pylori.

Proton pump inhibitors: effective first-line treatment for management of dyspepsia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reasons for trial exclusion among dyspeptic patients and estimate the proportion that may have benefited from proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Stringent inclusion criteria for enrollment in two multicenter functional dyspepsia trials included dyspepsia (predominant persistent/recurrent upper abdominal discomfort [UAD] during the prior 3 months) of at least moderate intensity during > or =30% of days during the prior 2 to 3 weeks. Exclusion criteria were mild/infrequent UAD; heartburn and UAD of equal frequency; predominant heartburn with UAD; endoscopic evidence of erosive esophagitis or Barrett's or gastric and/or duodenal erosions (>5) or ulcers; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); other gastrointestinal diagnoses; or other "non-categorized" disorders. Of 2,588 screened patients, 1,667 were excluded. Excluded patients by category had mild/infrequent UAD (12.5%, n=324), heartburn and UAD of equal frequency (1.1%, n=29), predominant heartburn with UAD (11.6%, n=300), endoscopic evidence of erosive esophagitis or Barrett's (6.2%, n=160), gastric and/or duodenal erosions (1.4%, n=36), gastric and/or duodenal ulcers (2.0%, n=53), IBS (7%, n=180), "other" gastrointestinal diagnoses (2.8%, n=73), or other "non-categorized" disorders (19.8%, n=512). Fifty-four percent of patients (902/1,667) had symptoms/diagnoses that would be expected to improve with PPI therapy. Individuals with IBS, "other," or "non-categorized" disorders were considered to have symptoms unlikely to respond to PPI treatment. Empiric PPI treatment would be expected to provide symptom relief to the majority of dyspepsia sufferer who present in clinical practice. PPIs represent the best currently available therapy for acid-related disorders and should be considered the first-line management approach in patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia.