Therapeutic mild hypothermia improves outcome after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Purpose. Therapeutic mild hypothermia (TMH) is indicated for comatose survivors of an out-ofhospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to improve general outcome. Although widely used, there are not many reports on its use on a critical care unit (CCU) or on the comparison of cooling methods.Methods. In a retrospective analysis covering January 2005 to December 2006, 75 consecutive comatose subjects post-OHCA due to ventricular fibrillation and nonventricular fibrillation rhythms (asystole/pulseless electrical activity) were studied in a single tertiary PCI centre. Subjects treated with conventional post-resuscitation care without TMH served as controls (n=26; Jan 2005-Sep 2005). Outcome from controls at hospital discharge was compared with subjects treated with TMH (n=49; Oct 2005-Dec 2006). During the study period, TMH was induced by either external (n=25; Oct 2005-Feb 2006) or endovascular (n=24; Mar 2006-Dec 2006) approach.Results. Besides more females in the control group, there were no major differences in baseline characteristics present between all groups. TMH improved survival (OR 0.36 [0.13-0.95], p<0.05) and neurological outcome (OR 0.23 [0.07-0.70], p<0.01). After subanalysis, TMH-improved outcome did not differ between the two cooling methods used. However, the times to reach TMH and normothermia were shorter with the endovascular approach.Conclusion. TMH induced on a CCU improves survival and neurological outcome after post-OHCA coma. TMH by endovascular approach was more feasible compared with external cooling, but the two cooling methods did not result in a different outcome. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:378-84.).

Long-term lansoprazole treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: clinical efficacy and influence on gastric mucosa

BACKGROUND

Long-term acid suppression is believed to accelerate atrophic gastritis in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients. The influence of long-term therapy with lansoprazole has not been examined.

AIM

To study the clinical and endoscopic efficacy and histological evolution of gastric mucosa during 5 years of maintenance treatment with lansoprazole, 30 mg.

METHODS

Seventy-eight patients with endoscopically proven oesophagitis were followed for 5 years. Biopsies taken at the start of the study, during follow-up and after 5 years were available for 73 patients.

RESULTS

The total endoscopic relapse rate was 14.1%. At the start of the study, 34 patients were Helicobacter pylori negative and 39 were Helicobacter pylori positive (two atrophy, 25 antral gastritis, 12 pangastritis). At 5 years, no histological changes had occurred in Helicobacter pylori-negative patients. In the Helicobacter pylori-positive group, 20 patients developed pangastritis, six had normal histology and one had antral gastritis. Ten of the 12 patients with pangastritis had reduced antral activity. There was no increase in intestinal metaplasia, but there was a tendency towards regression of atrophy in the antrum and towards increased atrophy in the body of the stomach.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintenance treatment with lansoprazole, 30 mg, is efficacious. The development of glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia was not accelerated in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients. Helicobacter pylori eradication must be considered only because of the higher cancer risk associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis.

Automated separation of whole blood in top and bottom bags into components using the Compomat G4

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Whole blood can be separated by hard spin centrifugation into layers of blood components according to their specific gravity. The aim was to develop a program for an automatic separator to subsequently express the various components into their respective satellite bags in top and bottom systems with the following requirements: a red cell concentrate with a low leukocyte and platelet contamination, a 'cell-free' plasma, and a buffy coat with a volume of about 50 ml with an acceptable loss of red cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Compomat G4 possesses an independently moving upper and lower press, to automatically express plasma or red cells to satellite bags of top and bottom systems. The influence of the extension of the lower press was studied by pooling and dividing two units of whole blood, and separating these units after centrifugation (2,960 g, 10 min) either with a program where the lower press was completely extended (program C), or with a program that left approximately 1 mm between the door and the lower press (program D).

RESULTS

The program (program D), where the lower press was not completely extended, yielded a buffy coat with a volume of 52+/-1 ml (mean +/- SD, n = 36), which contained >75% leukocytes and >90% platelets of the original whole blood unit, with a red cell loss in the buffy coat of 21+/-1 ml (10.8+/-0.8% of the original volume). The leukocyte content of the red cell concentrates was 775+/-379x10(6) per unit, whereas the plasma contained 3+/-3x10(6) leukocytes and 4+/-3x10(9) platelets per unit. The pooling experiment indicated that complete extension of the lower press (program C) resulted in a significantly higher leukocyte contamination of the red cell concentrate (788+/-431x10(6 ) vs. 658+/-419x10(6); n = 12; p = 0.03), while there was no difference in the yield of red cells or plasma. The buffy coat produced with program D contained significantly more leukocytes (2,242 +/-396x10(6) vs. 2,065+/-327x10(6), p = 0.005) and more platelets (96+/-14x10(9) vs. 92+/-17x10(9), p = 0.02) per unit than with program C, probably because buffy coat cells sticking to the container wall are not expressed to the red cell concentrate, and thus remain in the buffy coat bag. Therefore, program D met our specifications for blood products.

CONCLUSIONS

The Compomat G4 warrants reproducible separation of whole blood in top and bottom bags into red cells, buffy coat and plasma meeting our specifications.

Acute pancreatitis in peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis: risk, clinical course, outcome, and possible aetiology

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that the incidence of acute pancreatitis in patients with end stage renal failure is increased.

AIMS

To assess the risk of acute pancreatitis in patients on long term peritoneal dialysis and long term haemodialysis compared with the general population, to evaluate its clinical course and outcome, and to identify possible aetiological factors.

PATIENTS

All patients who were maintained on long term peritoneal dialysis and/or haemodialysis (total dialysis time more than six weeks) from January 1989 to March 1998 in a large general hospital in The Netherlands.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study. Standardised ratios (as an approximate relative risk) between the incidence of acute pancreatitis in haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis and the general population were calculated. Possible risk factors were identified. Patients with and without acute pancreatitis were compared.

RESULTS

In 269 patients on haemodialysis (total of 614 person years), one patient developed an attack of acute pancreatitis. Patients on haemodialysis did not show an increased risk for acute pancreatitis compared with the general population (standardised ratio 11; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.275 to 60.5). In 128 patients on peritoneal dialysis (total of 241 person years), seven patients had nine attacks of acute pancreatitis. Patients on peritoneal dialysis had a significantly and highly increased risk for acute pancreatitis (standardised ratio 249; 95% CI 114 to 473). Mortality in this series of nine attacks was 11%. No single aetiological risk factor could be identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of acute pancreatitis in patients on long term peritoneal dialysis is significantly and highly increased compared with the general population. The underlying causal mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

Lack of cyclin D1 overexpression in gastric carcinogenesis

AIMS

Cyclin D1 overexpression was examined in early gastric carcinomas and precursor lesions with the following aims; (1) to assess the chronology of cyclin D1 overexpression in various stages of gastric carcinogenesis, (2) to correlate cyclin D1 overexpression with the Lauren type, the grade of differentiation and the type of growth pattern of the tumours and (3) to correlate cyclin D1 overexpression with clinical parameters, in particular lymph node metastasis and overall prognosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-five paraffin-embedded gastrectomy specimens from early carcinomas were examined for the presence of various precursor lesions. The Lauren type, the grade of differentiation and the type of growth pattern were reassessed for all early carcinomas. Cyclin D1 overexpression was examined using the monoclonal antibody DCS-6. Cyclin D1 overexpression was absent from all precursor lesions. Ten early carcinomas (22%) were cyclin D1 positive without significant differences when stratified according to Lauren type, grade of differentiation, type of growth pattern or lymph node status. Univariate analysis failed to show a significant difference in 5-year surival rate between cyclin D1 positive and negative early carcinomas (90% vs. 94%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cyclin D1 protein overexpression does not play a role in the progression from normal to neoplastic gastric mucosa and does not discriminate between intestinal and diffuse type early gastric carcinomas of Caucasian origin. Moreover, mechanisms other than cyclin D1 protein overexpression underlie the reported difference in biological behaviour of early gastric carcinomas with different types of growth pattern. Finally, although it appears that cyclin D1 does not have prognostic significance, studies on larger numbers, including advanced carcinomas, are warranted.

p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression and the p53/MDM2 feedback loop in gastric carcinogenesis

Data are non-existent regarding coincidental alterations in the expression of p53 and its downstream target genes MDM2 and p21(Waf1/Cip1) in gastric carcinogenesis. An immunohistochemical study was therefore performed to examine the interrelationships of p53, MDM2, and p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression in a series of Caucasian early gastric carcinomas and precursor lesions. In normal gastric mucosa, chronic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia, the surface cells expressed p21(Waf1/Cip1) in the absence of detectable nuclear p53 and MDM2 protein. Nuclear p53 protein accumulation was found in 60 per cent of the carcinomas, with significant differences in staining characteristics between the Lauren types in the absence of detectable MDM2 protein ( p< 0.005). Nearly 80 per cent of the carcinomas expressed p21(Waf1/Cip1), irrespective of Lauren type. Stratification of the carcinomas according to histological grade and growth pattern did not result in significant differences in p53 and p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression. Finally, no significant correlation was found between overall p53 and p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression in early gastric carcinomas. It is concluded that p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression in the non-neoplastic mucosa most likely relates to cell senescence and/or terminal differentiation, perhaps even in a p53-independent manner. In view of p53/MDM2 homeostasis, the differences in p53 staining characteristics between intestinal and diffuse-type carcinomas probably result, at least in part, from a difference in the prevalence of p53 gene mutations. Moreover, p53-independent induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression apparently occurs in a considerable proportion of early carcinomas. Finally, in contrast to other carcinomas, p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression is not significantly correlated with histological grade in gastric carcinomas, suggesting possible defects downstream of p21(Waf1/Cip1) as an underlying cause for this apparent discrepancy.

Loss of E-cadherin expression in early gastric cancer

AIMS

Reduction or loss of E-cadherin expression was examined in early gastric carcinomas and precursor lesions with the following aims: (1) to assess overall E-cadherin expression in various stages of gastric carcinogenesis; (2) to correlate E-cadherin expression with the Lauren type, the grade of differentiation and the type of growth pattern of the tumours; and (3) to correlate E-cadherin expression with lymph node metastasis and overall prognosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-five paraffin-embedded gastrectomy specimens from early carcinomas were examined for the presence of various precursor lesions. The Lauren type, the grade of differentiation and the type of growth pattern were reassessed for all early carcinomas. E-cadherin expression was examined using antibody HECD-1. Whereas E-cadherin was strongly and evenly expressed in the gastric foveolar epithelium, intestinal metaplasia and early gastric carcinomas showed a lower expression. A significant difference in E-cadherin expression was found between the Lauren types (P < 0.0001). Moreover, an inverse correlation was found between E-cadherin expression and histological grade (P < 0.0001). Neither a difference in E-cadherin expression between the various growth types nor an association with lymph node metastasis and overall prognosis was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The Lauren types differ in E-cadherin expression, although reduced E-cadherin expression in all probability rather reflects poor differentiation than a diffuse growth pattern 'genotype'. Moreover, E-cadherin expression does not underlie the difference in biological behaviour of early carcinomas with different types of growth pattern. Finally, E-cadherin expression is not associated with lymph node status and 5-year survival rate, at least not in early gastric carcinomas.

[Whipple's disease in a man with weight loss and diarrhea]

In a 45-year-old man with diarrhoea, upper abdominal pain and malabsorption Whipple's disease was diagnosed by gastroduodenoscopy with small bowel biopsies. The disease is rare and can present with gastrointestinal problems but also with cardiac or neurological complaints. Tropheryma whippelii, the aetiological organism, can be demonstrated by pathological investigation of biopsies and with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 160-800 mg twice daily is the therapy of choice: it must be continued for a year, otherwise there is a high possibility of relapse. Correct diagnosis, based mostly on gastroduodenoscopy, can lead to the right therapy and recovery of the patient.

Molecular alterations in early gastric carcinomas. No apparent correlation with Helicobacter pylori status

Data on the differences in molecular profile between H pylori-positive and H pylori-negative early gastric carcinomas, if any, are almost nonexistent. We therefore investigated whether molecular differences can be observed between H pylori-positive and H pylori-negative early gastric carcinomas. Forty-five early gastric carcinomas were analyzed for alterations in certain oncogenes (ras, MDM2, c-erbB-2, cyclin D1), the p53 tumor suppressor gene, and the e-cadherin gene. Of these 28 carcinomas were H pylori-positive, and 17 were H pylori-negative. No significant differences were found in the groups irrespective of Lauren type; ras (0% vs 0%), MDM2 (0% vs 0%), c-erbB-2 (0% vs 0%), cyclin D1 (18% vs 29%), p53 (68% vs 47%), and e-cadherin (46% vs 41%). Helicobacter pylori-positive and H pylori-negative early gastric carcinomas do not differ in molecular profile. Although they may prove different when tested for other abnormalities, our findings suggest that the acquisition of molecular alterations occurs via an H pylori independent pathway.

No evidence for functional inactivation of wild-type p53 protein by MDM2 overexpression in gastric carcinogenesis

Inactivation of wild-type p53 during gastric carcinogenesis is usually caused by mutations within exons 5-8 of the p53 gene leading to mutated, usually immunohistochemically detectable p53 proteins. However, functional inactivation of wild-type p53, mimicking mutational inactivation, may also result from binding to overexpressed MDM2 protein. While these two mechanisms of p53 inactivation are considered to be mutually exclusive, no data exist as to whether MDM2 overexpression occurs during gastric carcinogenesis. MDM2 protein overexpression was therefore studied in relation to p53 protein accumulation in gastric carcinogenesis. Forty-five paraffin-embedded gastrectomy specimens from early gastric carcinomas were examined for the presence of chronic active gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, subtypes of intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia. The Lauren type was reassessed for all early carcinomas. p53 protein accumulation was examined using the monoclonal antibody DO-7. MDM2 protein overexpression was assessed with the monoclonal antibody SMP-14. Complete absence of nuclear p53 protein accumulation was observed in chronic active gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia, irrespective of the subtype. In gastric dysplasia (one mild, two moderate, one severe), only severe dysplasia was p53-positive. Intestinal-type (n = 20) and diffuse-type early gastric carcinoma (n = 25) were p53-positive in 70 and 52 per cent of the cases, respectively. MDM2 protein overexpression was not observed during gastric carcinogenesis, either in the p53-positive or in the p53-negative cases. In conclusion, it appears that functional inactivation of wild-type p53 by MDM2 protein overexpression plays no role in (early) gastric carcinogenesis.

No evidence for functional inactivation of wild-type p53 protein by MDM2 overexpression in gastric carcinogenesis

Inactivation of wild-type p53 during gastric carcinogenesis is usually caused by mutations within exons 5-8 of the p53 gene leading to mutated, usually immunohistochemically detectable p53 proteins. However, functional inactivation of wild-type p53, mimicking mutational inactivation, may also result from binding to overexpressed MDM2 protein. While these two mechanisms of p53 inactivation are considered to be mutually exclusive, no data exist as to whether MDM2 overexpression occurs during gastric carcinogenesis. MDM2 protein overexpression was therefore studied in relation to p53 protein accumulation in gastric carcinogenesis. Forty-five paraffin-embedded gastrectomy specimens from early gastric carcinomas were examined for the presence of chronic active gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, subtypes of intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia. The Lauren type was reassessed for all early carcinomas. p53 protein accumulation was examined using the monoclonal antibody DO-7. MDM2 protein overexpression was assessed with the monoclonal antibody SMP-14. Complete absence of nuclear p53 protein accumulation was observed in chronic active gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia, irrespective of the subtype. In gastric dysplasia (one mild, two moderate, one severe), only severe dysplasia was p53-positive. Intestinal-type (n = 20) and diffuse-type early gastric carcinoma (n = 25) were p53-positive in 70 and 52 per cent of the cases, respectively. MDM2 protein overexpression was not observed during gastric carcinogenesis, either in the p53-positive or in the p53-negative cases. In conclusion, it appears that functional inactivation of wild-type p53 by MDM2 protein overexpression plays no role in (early) gastric carcinogenesis.

Colonic pseudo-obstruction due to beta2-microglobulin amyloidosis after long-term haemodialysis

Beta2-microglobulin (A beta2M) amyloidosis is a relatively new secondary amyloidosis associated with renal failure and haemo- and peritoneal dialysis. Although beta2-microglobulin depositions are systemic, clinical manifestations are limited to articular and para-articular disease in most cases. A very limited number of patients have been reported with extra-articular manifestations including those of the gastrointestinal tract. We report on a patient who was treated with haemodialysis for 23 years and developed colonic pseudo-obstruction due to A beta2M amyloidosis.

No evidence for c-erbB-2 overexpression in gastric carcinogenesis

AIMS

Conflicting data on c-erbB-2 overexpression in gastric carcinomas can be found in the literature with regard to overall prevalence, prognostic significance and the histological type according to Lauren. The majority of these studies have focused on advanced gastric carcinomas whereas data on c-erbB-2 overexpression in early gastric carcinomas, especially of Caucasian origin, are relatively sparse. We therefore examined a series of Caucasian early gastric carcinomas to assess overall c-erbB-2 overexpression and to correlate c-erbB-2 overexpression, if any, with the type of growth pattern and the Lauren type.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Forty-five paraffin-embedded gastrectomy specimens from early carcinomas were examined for the presence of chronic active gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, subtypes of intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia. The Lauren type and the type of growth pattern were reassessed for all early carcinomas. c-erbB-2 overexpression was assessed with monoclonal antibody 3B5 and polyclonal antibody A485. Complete absence of c-erbB-2 overexpression was observed in chronic active gastritis, chronic atrophic gastritis, subtypes of intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia. Moreover, c-erbB-2 overexpression was found absent in both intestinal-type (n = 20) and diffuse-type early gastric carcinomas (n = 25), irrespective of growth type.

CONCLUSIONS

c-erbB-2 overexpression does not play a role in the progression from normal to neoplastic gastric mucosa and should be considered as a late event in gastric carcinogenesis. Moreover, c-erbB-2 overexpression does not discriminate between intestinal and diffuse type early gastric carcinomas of Caucasian origin. Finally, it appears that mechanisms other than c-erbB-2 overexpression underlie the reported differences in biological behaviour of early gastric carcinomas with different types of growth pattern.

Factors predicting relapse during maintenance treatment with famotidine in patients with healed reflux esophagitis. Dutch Esophagitis Study Group

Little is known about possible predictive factors influencing the relapse rate in patients with healed reflux esophagitis during maintenance therapy with histamine2 (H2)-receptor antagonists. Therefore, the efficacy of famotidine 20 mg twice daily was evaluated in an open-label prospective study in 317 patients who had experienced healing of erosive reflux esophagitis after treatment with famotidine; 259 patients completed the study and were assessable according to study protocol. The cumulative endoscopic relapse rates at 4, 8, and 12 months were 20%, 30%, and 36%, respectively, according to the per-protocol analysis. The most predictive determinant of relapse was the duration of acute treatment required to achieve healing: Relapse occurred significantly less often in patients who experienced healing with 6 weeks of acute treatment than in those who experienced healing with 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. The second most important determinant was the initial endoscopic severity of the disease. Patients with initial grade I esophagitis had significantly fewer relapses. Relapse rate appeared to be unrelated to initial severity and duration of symptoms, smoking habits, or strength of acute treatment. The results showed that maintenance therapy with famotidine 20 mg twice daily is effective in a large proportion of patients with healed reflux esophagitis, with few adverse effects reported.

Preliminary experience with a new ultraviolet-cured expandable plastic endoprosthesis in the management of malignant esophageal strictures

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Different types of expandable metal stent are currently available for the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal strictures. To overcome some of the disadvantages involved in the design of metal mesh stents, we designed a balloon-expanded plastic endoprosthesis, which is hardened by irradiation with ultraviolet light after deployment. We present here our preliminary results.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From April 1995 to January 1996, four patients with unresectable esophageal malignancies were treated with this stent. Insertion of the stent was the only palliative procedure carried out. The patients were followed up until death.

RESULTS

Stent placement was successful in all patients, and no procedure-related complications occurred. Dysphagia was reduced from an average score of 2.6 to 1.0. Early complications included retrosternal pain of limited duration in one patient. One patient died 72 hours after uncomplicated stent placement, due to cardiac arrhythmia. Late complications were limited to tumor overgrowth in two patients, after a mean of 104 days. The stent patency rate averaged 92 days.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a malignant esophageal stricture, this newly developed expandable endoprosthesis is effective in relieving dysphagia. The deployment of the stent is easy and safe. The endoprosthesis has potential advantage over current expandable metal mesh stents.

CT before and after ERCP: detection of pancreatic pseudotumor, asymptomatic retroperitoneal perforation, and duodenal diverticulum

BACKGROUND

A prospective study was done to investigate the occurrence of morphologic changes after ERCP that present as pancreatic pseudotumor on CT scan. Fifty-eight patients underwent CT before and after ERCP. In addition, post-ERCP complications and the value of routinely obtained CT before ERCP were assessed.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients could be fully analyzed; 12 underwent a papillotomy (group 1). Pseudotumor of the pancreatic head was demonstrated on CT after ERCP in them (17%). No changes were seen in the 27 patients who underwent diagnostic ERCP (group 2) (p = 0.048). Asymptomatic retroperitoneal perforation after papillotomy was diagnosed in 3 patients (13%). Routinely obtained CT scans before ERCP defined a specific etiology of the biliary obstruction in 12% of patients not suggested by ultrasound. Duodenal diverticulum was found in 4 patients, resulting in a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 100% for CT. Oral contrast (600 ml) administered a few hours before endoscopy never hampered the endoscopist.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic pseudotumor on CT after ERCP occurred only when papillotomy was performed. CT remains a valuable diagnostic tool after diagnostic ERCP. Asymptomatic perforation may occur following ERCP with papillotomy. Routinely obtained CT before ERCP was not profitable for the endoscopist in more than 80% of our patients.

Lansoprazole 30 mg versus omeprazole 40 mg in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis grade II, III and IVa (a Dutch multicentre trial). Dutch Study Group

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and safety of lansoprazole 30 mg daily (LAN30) and omeprazole 40 mg daily (OME40) in the treatment of moderate (Savary-Miller grade II) as well as severe reflux oesophagitis (grade III/IVa).

DESIGN

A double-blind, randomized, multicentre study, involving 211 patients at 29 Dutch hospitals.

METHODS

Healing was assessed by endoscopy, performed on admission, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks if the patient was not healed after 4 weeks. Symptom relief was determined by symptom assessments at the same time points. Safety was evaluated by determining the incidence of adverse events.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in intention-to-treat (ITT) healing rates after 4 weeks (LAN30 87.5%, OME40 80.6%; 95% CI (-4.0; +17.8)) and in the ITT overall healing (LAN30 96.1%, OME40 93.1%; 95% CI (-4.2; +10.2)) rates between the LAN30 and the OME40 group. Relief of reflux-related symptoms at 4 weeks as well as 8 weeks did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. No difference in the incidence of adverse events was observed between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of patients with reflux oesophagitis grade II, III or IVa with LAN30 was as effective as with OME40 with respect to healing as well as symptom relief.

Absence of ras gene mutations in early gastric carcinomas

The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence and type of activating point mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of the Ki-, Ha-, and N-ras genes in a series of early gastric carcinomas in white patients and to correlate these ras gene mutations, if any, with the histological type (Lauren classification), the type of growth pattern, and with the Helicobacter pylori status. Haematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa stained sections from 45 formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded early gastric carcinomas were used to assess the Lauren type, the type of growth pattern, and the antral H pylori status. DNA was extracted according to standard procedures. Mutations at codon 12 of the Ki-ras gene were examined with a polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and dot blot hybridisation with allele-specific 32P-labelled oligodeoxynucleotide (ASO) probes. All other ras genes were analysed with specific PCR amplification and dot blot hybridisation with ASO probes. Mutations were detected by overnight autoradiography at -70 degrees C. Some 20 intestinal-type and 25 diffuse-type early gastric carcinomas were seen. According to growth pattern, there were 24 small mucosal type early gastric carcinomas, five superficial spreading type early gastric carcinomas, and 16 penetrating type early gastric carcinomas (four penetrating A type, 12 penetrating B type). H pylori was found in the antral mucosa of 28 early gastric carcinomas (62%). Activating ras gene mutations were not found. It was discovered that activating point mutations at codons 12, 13, and 61 of the Ki-, Ha-, and N-ras genes do not play a part in the development of early gastric carcinomas in white subjects, irrespective of Lauren type. Moreover, differences in biological behaviour between early carcinomas with different types of growth pattern are not related to these ras gene mutations. Finally, H pylori positive and H pylori negative gastric carcinomas cannot be discriminated on the basis of ras gene mutational analysis.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 1.5 compared with 3.0 g oral slow-release mesalazine (Pentasa) in the maintenance treatment of ulcerative colitis. Dutch Pentasa Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To investigate a possible dose-effect relationship with two dosages of oral slow-release mesalazine in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis.

METHOD

One hundred and sixty-nine patients with ulcerative colitis in remission were treated with either 1.5 or 3.0 g/day mesalazine for 1 year or until relapse into active colitis.

RESULTS

Fewer of the 3.0 g dose group relapsed than of the 1.5 g dose group (33 compared with 46%). This difference failed to reach statistical significance (P = 0.057). A significant relationship between age and relapse rate was established. No dose-related adverse events were found. Three serious drug-related adverse events were, however, reported. All of the serious adverse reactions resolved after the medication was discontinued.

CONCLUSION

There is a trend for high doses of oral mesalazine to be more effective in prevention of relapse of ulcerative colitis. These higher doses are not associated with a higher incidence of adverse reactions.

Chronology of p53 protein accumulation in gastric carcinogenesis

p53 Protein accumulation in early gastric carcinoma was studied in relation to the histological type (Lauren classification) and the type of growth pattern, including the chronology of p53 protein accumulation during carcinogenesis. Forty five, paraffin embedded gastrectomy specimens from early carcinomas were examined for the presence of chronic atrophic gastritis, subtypes of intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia. The Lauren type and the type of growth pattern were reassessed for all early carcinomas. p53 Protein accumulation was examined using the monoclonal antibody DO-7. Complete absence of p53 protein accumulation was observed in normal gastric mucosa, chronic atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia, irrespective of subtype. In gastric dysplasia (one mild, two moderate, and one severe), only severe dysplasia was p53 positive. Intestinal type (n = 20) and diffuse type early gastric carcinomas (n = 25) were p53 positive in 70% and 52% of cases, respectively. Both tumour types differed significantly in the percentage of p53 positive tumour cells per tumour (p < 0.01) and in staining intensity (p < 0.05). No significant difference in p53 protein accumulation was found between early carcinomas with different types of growth pattern. It is concluded that p53 protein accumulation--usually reflecting missense p53 gene mutation--seems to be a late event in gastric carcinogenesis. Moreover, it is suggested that missense p53 gene mutation occurs in a final pathway common to both intestinal and diffuse type of early gastric carcinoma. Finally, the types of growth pattern do not seem to differ in p53 protein accumulation.

Helicobacter pylori and early gastric cancer

The relation between Helicobacter pylori, intestinal metaplasia, and early gastric cancer was studied by examining gastrectomy specimens from 31 intestinal type and 22 diffuse type carcinomas. A total of 298 patients with antral gastritis were used as controls. Atrophic changes and intestinal metaplasia were significantly more common in intestinal type early gastric cancer compared with diffuse type early gastric cancer (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). H pylori was found in 61.3% of intestinal type early gastric cancer and in 54.5% of diffuse type early gastric cancer (NS). The age adjusted prevalence of intestinal metaplasia in the patients with antral gastritis was higher in H pylori positive patients in all age groups studied. Comparing gastritis patients with patients with intestinal type early gastric cancer showed the age adjusted prevalence of intestinal metaplasia to be significantly higher in the patients with early gastric cancer in all age groups studied. In conclusion, H pylori is associated with both types of early gastric carcinoma. Intestinal metaplasia formation seems to be a multifactorial process in which H pylori may play a part. These findings suggest that gastric cancer may be included in the spectrum of H pylori associated diseases, although many questions about causality remain to be answered.

Does color vision deficiency in the endoscopist influence the accuracy of endoscopic diagnosis? An anonymous study with Dutch gastrointestinal endoscopists

Colors play a major role in the endoscopic diagnosis of many gastrointestinal conditions. Gastrointestinal endoscopists in the Netherlands are predominantly male (> 90%), and from population data it is to be expected that approximately 8% will have a color vision deficiency. The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of color vision deficiencies amongst Dutch gastrointestinal endoscopists and to determine whether color vision deficiency affects an endoscopist's diagnostic skill. One hundred and thirty-nine gastroenterologists and physicians of internal medicine took an F2 color vision test and assessed nine videofragments of endoscopies. Color vision deficiencies were detected in 8% of Dutch gastrointestinal endoscopists. In one out of the nine video excerpts of endoscopies, a statistically significant difference was detected between test subjects with and without a color vision deficiency. However, this video excerpt showed a green pea, which could not be mistaken for a polyp at polypectomy. The study therefore does not show any effect of color vision deficiencies on endoscopic skills, nor does it show any deviant prevalence of color vision deficiencies amongst Dutch gastrointestinal endoscopists.

Esophageal dysfunction as a cause of angina pectoris ("linked angina"): does it exist?

PURPOSE

The differentiation between cardiac and esophageal causes of retrosternal chest pain is notoriously difficult. Theoretically, cardiac and esophageal causes may coexist. It has also been reported that gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal motor abnormalities may elicit myocardial ischemia and chest pain, a phenomenon called linked angina pectoris. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of esophageal abnormalities as a cause of retrosternal chest pain in patients with previously documented coronary artery disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty consecutive patients were studied, all of whom had undergone coronary arteriography. The patients were studied after they were admitted to the coronary care unit with an attack of typical chest pain. On electrocardiograms (ECGs) taken during pain, 15 patients (group I) had new signs of ischemia; the other 15 patients (group II) did not. In none of the patients were cardiac enzymes elevated. As soon as possible, but within 2 hours after admission, combined 24-hour recording of esophageal pressure and pH was performed. During chest pain, 12-lead ECG recording was carried out.

RESULTS

In group I, all 15 patients experienced one or more pain episodes during admission, 25 of which were associated with ischemic electrocardiographic changes. The other two episodes were reflux-related. Only one of the 25 ischemia-associated pain episodes was also reflux-related, ie, it was preceded by a reflux episode. In group II, 19 chest pain episodes occurred in 11 patients. None of these was associated with electrocardiographic changes, but 8 were associated with reflux (42%) and 8 with abnormal esophageal motility (42%).

CONCLUSION

Linked angina is a rare phenomenon.

Efficacy of famotidine 20 mg twice a day versus 40 mg twice a day in the treatment of erosive or ulcerative reflux esophagitis

Two different doses of famotidine (20 mg twice a day versus 40 mg twice a day) were evaluated in a double-blind, randomized multicenter study in 474 symptomatic patients with erosive ulcerative reflux esophagitis. A total of 238 patients were treated with famotidine 20 mg and 236 patients with 40 mg at breakfast and dinner-time. Relief of symptoms was significant in all patients after six and 12 weeks and not different in both treatment groups. Overall endoscopic healing was significantly better in the famotidine 40 mg twice a day group compared with 20 mg twice a day at week 6 (58% versus 43%; P < 0.05) and at week 12 (76% versus 67%; P < 0.05). Extending treatment to 24 weeks with 40 mg of famotidine twice a day in those patients not healed after 12 weeks did not result in further symptom relief or in significantly better overall healing. The differences in efficacy of these two doses were more pronounced with increasing severity of esophagitis. Analyzed by grade of esophagitis at entrance, healing was significantly better with famotidine 40 mg twice a day at week 6 for grade II, at week 12 for grades III and IV, and at week 24 for grade IV esophagitis. The results show that in the treatment of erosive/ulcerative reflux patients famotidine 40 mg twice a day is more effective and achieves faster healing than famotidine 20 mg twice a day.

Serum antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies in inflammatory bowel disease are mainly associated with ulcerative colitis. A correlation study between perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies and clinical parameters, medical, and surgical treatment

Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies have recently been demonstrated in the sera of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Three hundred and sixty six sera obtained from 120 patients with ulcerative colitis, 105 patients suffering from Crohn's disease and 49 non-inflammatory bowel disease controls were tested in two laboratories, using an indirect immunofluorescence assay. In addition, a fixed-neutrophil enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) was evaluated in one of the two laboratories. The results in the immunofluorescence test showed a high degree of correlation between the two laboratories (Kappa coefficient = 0.8). Ninety five of the 120 (79%) ulcerative colitis patients had a positive test whereas only 14 of the 105 (13%) patients with Crohn's disease were positive. Sera from four patients suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis were positive as well as four of the 45 control sera (9%). The sensitivity of the perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody immunofluorescence test for the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis was 0.75 with a specificity of 0.88 and a positive predictive value of 0.88 (all sera). In the ELISA technique 37 of 94 ulcerative colitis sera and one of the 68 Crohn's disease sera were positive. In the control group only one of the patients suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis reacted positively (32 non-inflammatory bowel disease sera tested). The ELISA technique had a high specificity (0.97), but a low sensitivity (0.39). There was no relation of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in ulcerative colitis patients or in Crohn's disease patients with disease activity, duration of illness, localisation, extent of disease, previous bowel operations or medical treatment. The clinical significance of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positive and negative subsets in both groups of patients thus remains unexplained. Our study confirms that determination of serum antineutrophil cytoplasmatic antibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease may differentiate ulcerative colitis from Crohn's disease. Further immunological studies are needed to explain the absence of these antibodies in a subset of ulcerative colitis patients and their role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Subtypes of intestinal metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori

To determine whether there is a relationship between the presence of H pylori and the various subtypes of intestinal metaplasia in the gastric antrum, 2274 antral gastroscopic biopsies from 533 patients were examined. H pylori was found in 289 patients. Intestinal metaplasia in general was found in 135 patients. Type I intestinal metaplasia was found in 133 patients (98.5%), type II in 106 patients (78.5%) and type III in 21 patients (15.6%). Ninety eight of these 135 patients (72.6%) were H pylori positive and 37 patients (27.4%) were H pylori negative. No statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of type I and II intestinal metaplasia between the intestinal metaplasia positive and H pylori positive and intestinal metaplasia negative and H pylori negative patients. Type III intestinal metaplasia was found less often in the intestinal metaplasia positive and H pylori positive patients (11.2%) as compared with intestinal metaplasia positive and H pylori negative patients (27%) (p less than 0.05). In contrast with type I and II intestinal metaplasia type III intestinal metaplasia was found more often in moderate/severe intestinal metaplasia than in mild intestinal metaplasia (p less than 0.02). Within the group of patients with moderate/severe intestinal metaplasia, type III was found less often in the H pylori positive patients (p less than 0.05). We suggest that the gastric milieu for H pylori is less appropriate in type III intestinal metaplasia positive patients. As type III intestinal metaplasia might be regarded as a marker of possibly increased gastric cancer risk, the lower prevalence of H pylori in these type III intestinal metaplasia positive patients might be the result of severe changes in mucosal architecture.

Time trends in gastric carcinoma: changing patterns of type and location

To determine whether there have been major changes in various aspects of gastric carcinoma, we reviewed the records of 302 patients with gastric cancer diagnosed between 1973 and 1989. Patients were divided into two groups: group I, 1973-80 (n = 163), and group II, 1981-88 (n = 139). On admission, no significant differences in presenting symptoms and physical signs were found, except for an increase in dysphagia (p less than 0.005) in group II. Endoscopy with targeted biopsy and biphasic-contrast examination were of equal merit in detecting malignancy (99.7%). A significant increase in the proportion of patients with cardia carcinoma was noted in group II (p less than 0.02). The proportion of patients with early gastric cancer decreased from 11% to 7.2%. The proportion of patients with intestinal-type carcinoma decreased in period II (p less than 0.05), accompanied by an increase in the proportion of patients with diffuse-type carcinoma during the same period (p less than 0.01). The overall 5-yr survival estimate was 17%. Independent prognostic variables were T stage (p less than 0.0001) and N stage (p less than 0.001), whereas Lauren type and tumor site were only significant in univariate survival analysis (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.005, respectively).

Acute noncardiac chest pain in a coronary care unit. Evaluation by 24-hour pressure and pH recording of the esophagus

Twenty-four-hour recording of esophageal pressure and pH was performed successfully in 41 patients admitted to the coronary care unit of a general hospital who had an episode of acute, prolonged retrosternal chest pain and who were initially suspected of suffering from coronary artery disease (severe angina pectoris, myocardial infarction), but in whom the pain was subsequently shown not to be of cardiac origin. The recordings were analyzed with fully automated techniques. A pain episode was considered to be related to abnormal esophageal motility when contraction amplitudes or durations in the pain episode exceeded the patient's upper limit of normal (97.5th percentile) or when the proportion of abnormal propagated contractions (simultaneous, nontransmitted) in the pain episode was significantly increased (chi 2 test). Thirty patients (73%) had one or more pain episodes (in total 63 pain episodes) during the 24-hour recording. Forty-three percent of the pain episodes was related to abnormal motility and 30% to reflux, and 27% was not related to esophageal function disturbance. Using the criterium that the symptom index had to be greater than or equal to 75%, it was found that the pain was related to reflux in 13 patients (43%) and to motor abnormalities in 10 patients (33%). It is concluded that in the majority of patients acutely admitted with noncardiac chest pain, esophageal motor abnormalities and reflux can be shown to be the likely cause of the symptoms.

Polyps of the stomach and duodenum: significance and management

Gastric and duodenal polypoid lesions are almost always diagnosed incidentally and constitute a clinical problem for treatment and follow-up. The histologic types of polypoid lesions in stomach and duodenum are described, as well as the clinical setting in which they are found. Endoscopy and directed biopsies, but particularly diathermic snare polypectomy, are essential to establish a certain histologic diagnosis. Guidelines are given for treatment and follow-up.

Combination therapy of sucralfate and ranitidine, compared with sucralfate monotherapy, in patients with peptic reflux esophagitis

A double-blind, multicenter, randomized study was performed in 75 patients with endoscopically documented reflux esophagitis. Patients were randomly given 1 g sucralfate four times a day or the combination of sucralfate three times a day and 300 mg ranitidine after dinnertime. Endoscopy was performed at the beginning of the study, after 8 weeks, and, if, the reflux esophagitis was not healed, after 16 weeks. Four patients had to be excluded from evaluation; 71 patients could therefore be evaluated. Both groups showed symptomatic improvement to similar extents. Endoscopy showed symptomatic improvement in 67% of the patients treated with sucralfate and in 74% of the combination therapy group. Complete healing or Savary-Miller stage 1 was seen in 26.5% and in 31.4%, respectively. We conclude that sucralfate monotherapy in patients with milder forms of reflux esophagitis is comparable with a combination of sucralfate during the day and ranitidine after dinnertime. This study does not support the commonly used combination of sucralfate and H2-receptor antagonists in reflux esophagitis.

Intestinal metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori: an endoscopic bioptic study of the gastric antrum

To study the relationship between intestinal metaplasia and Helicobacter pylori infection, 2274 gastroscopic antral biopsies taken from 533 patients were examined. Overall, intestinal metaplasia was found in 135 patients (25.3%) and H pylori in 289 patients (54.2%). The prevalence of intestinal metaplasia and H pylori was age related, being more common in patients greater than or equal to 50 years compared with patients less than 50 years (intestinal metaplasia, p less than 0.001 and H pylori, p less than 0.05). Intestinal metaplasia was found more often in H pylori positive patients compared with H pylori negative patients (33.9% v 15.2%, p less than 0.001). The mean age of intestinal metaplasia positive patients who were also H pylori positive was 64 (13.3) years, whereas the mean age of intestinal metaplasia positive patients who were H pylori negative was 72 (14.7) years (p less than 0.005). The extent of intestinal metaplasia was not statistically different in the latter two groups. Although our data do not prove a causal relationship between H pylori infection and the histogenesis of intestinal metaplasia it is suggested that H pylori infection is an important factor in the development of intestinal metaplasia, which is generally recognised as a precursor lesion of intestinal type gastric carcinoma.

Prevalence of subtypes of intestinal metaplasia in gastric antral mucosa

A prospective gastroscopic-bioptic study of 533 patients was performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and its subtypes in the antral mucosa of patients with various upper intestinal disorders and to assess whether the presence of certain IM subtypes might be of help in selecting patients for careful endoscopic-bioptic surveillance in the screening for gastric carcinoma. IM was found in 135 patients (25.3%). Its prevalence increased with age (P < 0.001) and was strongly associated with intestinal-type carcinoma as compared to diffuse-type carcinoma (P < 0.001), gastritis (P < 0.001), and gastric ulcer (P < 0.05). Type I IM was predominant (98.5%), whereas types II and III IM, respectively, were found in 77.8% and 15.6% of the patients with IM. No difference in the prevalence of type I and II IM was found among the various gastric disease states. Type III IM was strongly associated with intestinal-type carcinoma as compared to either benign lesions (P < 0.01) or diffuse-type carcinoma. These results suggest that type III IM may play a special role in the histogenesis of intestinal-type carcinoma and suggest that the finding of this IM subtype in gastric biopsies may possibly be of help in identifying patients at greater risk of developing carcinoma.

Early gastric cancer: a clinicopathologic study

We report our experience, between 1973 and 1989 of 302 patients with gastric cancer in a Dutch general hospital. In 144 (47.7%) of them gastric resection was performed. Twenty-eight patients had early gastric cancer (EGC) (9.3% of the entire series and 19.4% of the resected specimens). Multicentricity of EGC was noted in 3 patients (10.7%). The incidence of EGC decreased slightly during consecutive 8-year intervals. There were 16 men and 12 women (mean age 64 and 66 years, respectively). Standard biphasic contrast radiographic studies of the upper gastrointestinal tract diagnosed or suggested malignancy in all but one patient. Endoscopy with directed biopsy diagnosed malignancy in all patients. Twenty-one lesions (67.7%) were localized to the antral region. Type IIc was most frequent (38.7%). There were 21 intestinal-type and 10 diffuse-type EGC by the Lauren classification. The incidence of intestinal-type EGC decreased during two consecutive 8-year periods. All type I and IIa lesions were of the intestinal type, whereas all diffuse-type EGCs were either type IIc or III. Lymph node metastasis was observed in 9.7% of the lesions. The incidence of lymph node metastasis increased from 0% in mucosal cancer to 20% in submucosal cancer. The overall 5-year survival rate was 91.3%: (diffuse type 100% and intestinal type 85.7%). The 5-year survival rate was 100% in mucosal cancer and 81.8% in submucosal cancer.

Familial occurrence of collagenous colitis. A report of two families

Collagenous colitis is a rare condition characterized clinically by chronic diarrhea and histologically by a thickened subepithelial collagenous band in colonic biopsies in an endoscopically normal colon. Familial occurrence of collagenous colitis has to our knowledge never been described. Here we report two families in which two first-degree related members suffered from collagenous colitis. In one family, two sisters were affected by chronic diarrhea and autoimmune disorders such as thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and pernicious anemia. Collagenous colitis was diagnosed in one of these sisters, based on colonic biopsies. Colonic biopsies of the other sister showed microscopic colitis. Review of colonic biopsies of this patient taken 11 years earlier, however, showed definite histological features of collagenous colitis. In the other family, in a father and son, both with diarrhea for several years but not suffering from any other diseases, a diagnosis of collagenous colitis was made on colonic biopsies. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing showed that only the HLA A2 antigen was present in all 4 patients.

Clinical relevance of gastric and duodenal polyps

Gastric and duodenal epithelial polyps are almost always diagnosed incidentally and constitute a clinical problem for treatment and follow-up. All histologic types of these polyps are described, as are the clinical settings in which they are found. Endoscopy, often with snare polypectomy, is essential to obtain a certain histologic diagnosis. Guidelines are given for treatment and follow-up.

Combination therapy of sucralfate and cimetidine, compared with sucralfate monotherapy, in patients with peptic reflux esophagitis

A double-blind multicenter, randomized study was performed in 70 patients with endoscopically documented reflex esophagitis. Patients were randomly given 1 g sucralfate four times a day or the combination of sucralfate 1 g three times a day and 400 mg cimetidine at night. After healing of the esophagitis, patients were randomly given either sucralfate maintenance 2 g daily or placebo for a period of six months. Endoscopy was performed at the beginning of the study, after eight weeks, and, in cases with no healing, after 16 weeks of therapy. Sixty-three of the 70 patients who initially entered the study could be evaluated after eight weeks. Both groups showed good symptomatic improvement, and no side effects necessitated withdrawal of subjects. Endoscopy showed complete healing in 19.4 percent of the sucralfate group and in 21.9 percent of the combination sucralfate and cimetidine group. Endoscopic improvement was found in 50 percent of the sucralfate group and in 50 percent of the combination group. After 16 weeks, 56 patients could be evaluated. In the sucralfate group, improvement was seen in 78.6 percent, and healing in 31 percent. For the combination group these values were 59.3 percent and 37 percent (not significant). Twenty-six patients entered the maintenance phase of the study; 15 received sucralfate and 11 received placebo. Evaluation of 20 patients after six months showed endoscopic and/or symptomatic relapse of esophagitis in three of 12 patients receiving sucralfate and in two of the eight patients receiving placebo. It is concluded that sucralfate monotherapy in patients with reflux-esophagitis is effective and comparable with a combination of sucralfate during the day and cimetidine at night. No difference was found between sucralfate and placebo in terms of the relapse rate of esophagitis during long-term treatment.

A patient with a metastasizing jejunal carcinoma 17 years after colectomy for familial polyposis coli

A patient is described who died of a metastasizing jejunal carcinoma 17 yr after colectomy for familial polyposis coli. A survey of the literature concerning gastric and small intestine polyps, malignant degeneration and implications for further management is presented.

Treatment failure of norfloxacin against Campylobacter pylori and chronic gastritis in patients with nonulcerative dyspepsia

Several reports have been published to show the in vitro susceptibility of Campylobacter pylori to different classes of antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical effect of norfloxacin on eradication of C. pylori in patients with gastritis. Endoscopy was performed in 38 patients with symptoms of nonulcerative dyspepsia. Of these, 20 patients had a C. pylori-positive culture. From this group, 17 patients were treated with norfloxacin for 1 month. After therapy, 15 patients still had positive cultures, and in 9 cases the strain was resistant to norfloxacin. These data, which confirm previous studies, support the concept that the in vitro activity of norfloxacin against C. pylori cannot be transposed to an in vivo effect.

Double-blind comparison of slow-release 5-aminosalicylate and sulfasalazine in remission maintenance in ulcerative colitis

The results of a clinical trial comparing slow-release 5-aminosalicylic acid tablets (Pentasa) and enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets (Salazopyrin) with regard to the efficacy of maintaining ulcerative colitis patients in remission for 12 mo and with regard to safety of treatment are reported. Seventy-five patients with ulcerative colitis in remission for between 1 mo and 5 yr were included for analysis. Forty-nine men and 26 women, aged between 18 and 79 yr, received either Pentasa t.i.d. (1500 mg) plus Salazopyrin placebo or Salazopyrin t.i.d. (3 g) plus Pentasa placebo daily. Patients were assessed clinically, endoscopically, and histologically before and 3, 6, 9, and 12 mo after the start of treatment. Life-table analysis showed ongoing remission after 6 and 12 mo for Pentasa to be 63% (26 of 41) and 54% (22 of 41) and for Salazopyrin 72% (22 of 31) and 46% (14 of 31). These differences were not statistically significant. Three patients treated with Salazopyrin were withdrawn because of severe erythrodermia, anxiety and backache, and pregnancy, respectively. One patient on Salazopyrin experienced transient rises in serum urea, creatinine, and lactic dehydrogenase and another patient in this group reported slight reversible loss of hair. In the Pentasa group no side effects were recorded. We conclude that Pentasa is a well-tolerated drug, equally effective as Salazopyrin in maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis.

Biphasic radiologic examination and endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A comparative study

In this prospective, blind study we compare the diagnostic results of endoscopy with a biphasic radiologic examination with drug-induced hypotony in gastric malignancy, peptic ulcer, and reflux esophagitis. Two hundred fourteen patients underwent both examinations within a week. Both disciplines detected seven malignant tumors. Twenty-three peptic ulcers were found by both; in addition, each diagnosed another ulcer. Fourteen ulcer scars were diagnosed by both; endoscopy demonstrated 10 additional scars and radiology 1. The radiologic examination detected 7 of the 37 cases of endoscopically diagnosed cases of mild reflux esophagitis, 4 of the 7 moderate cases, and 7 of 8 severe ones. A state-of-the-art radiologic examination represents an adequate initial examination in the dyspeptic patient. If the complaints suggest reflux esophagitis, the clinician has to choose between treatment and endoscopy.

Comparison of beclomethasone dipropionate and prednisolone 21-phosphate enemas in the treatment of ulcerative proctitis

In a double-blind randomized clinical trial 18 patients with exacerbations of distal ulcerative colitis were treated for 4 weeks with enemas containing either prednisolone 21-phosphate 30 mg (PP) or beclomethasone dipropionate 1 mg (BDP) a surface-active corticosteroid. All 8 patients treated with PP showed clinical and endoscopic improvement in contrast with only 4 of 10 patients treated with BDP. Endocrinologic evaluation showed a significant decrease in morning plasma cortisol, in cortisol increase after synacthen, and in urinary free cortisol excretion after PP therapy, but no changes in these variables after BDP therapy. We conclude that PP enemas are more active in the treatment of ulcerative proctitis, but they cause a suppression of the adrenal cortex, in contrast to BDP.

Sucralfate versus cimetidine in reflux esophagitis. A single-blind multicenter study

A single-blind randomized multicenter study was performed in 42 patients with endoscopically documented reflux esophagitis. Patients were randomly given 400 mg cimetidine q.i.d. or a suspension of 1 g sucralfate q.i.d. for a period of 8 weeks. Forty patients were evaluated after 8 weeks. Symptomatic improvement was good and was comparable in both groups. We saw side-effects in only three patients, two on sucralfate and one on cimetidine, and these did not necessitate withdrawal from the study. Endoscopy showed improvement of esophagitis in 53% and healing in 31% of patients after sucralfate treatment. With cimetidine, improvement was seen in 67% and healing in 14%. One patient on cimetidine developed a stricture during treatment. We conclude that treatment with sucralfate improves symptoms and lessens severity of reflux esophagitis and that the results with sucralfate appear to be comparable to those obtained with cimetidine. Sucralfate is a valid alternative to H2-receptor antagonist therapy.