The Effect of Phloroglucinol in Patients With Diarrhea-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

Background/Aims@#We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of phloroglucinol in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). @*Methods@#Seventy-two patients with IBS-D who met Rome III criteria were 1:1 randomized in a parallel, double-blind design to receive phloroglucinol or placebo for 2 weeks. Patients were followed for 1 week after the end of treatment. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders, defined as those who answered “moderate or more of improvement” to the subject global assessment for at least 1 week of the 2-week treatment period. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of these patients during the 3-week period including 1 week of follow-up, IBS symptoms (abdominal pain/discomfort, diarrhea, urgency, mucus in stool, bloating, and passage of gas), stool frequency and consistency, and IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL). @*Results@#The proportion of responders during 2-week treatment period tended to be higher in the phloroglucinol group than in the placebo group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (55.6% vs 30.6%, P = 0.056). The proportion of responders during the 3-week period was significantly higher in the phloroglucinol group than in the placebo group (61.6% vs 30.6%, P = 0.013). Individual symptom scores, IBS-QOL, stool frequency and consistency tended to improve in the phloroglucinol group, but there were no statistical significances compared to those of the placebo group. No serious adverse events were reported in both groups. @*Conclusions@#Phloroglucinol could be a safe and beneficial option for the management of overall IBS symptoms in patients with IBS-D. Further large scaled studies are warranted.

Dermatomyositis associated with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with typical cutaneous manifestations. It has been proposed that dermatomyositis may be caused by autoimmune responses to viral infections. Previous studies have shown an association between dermatomyositis and malignant tumors such as ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. However, a chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection associated with dermatomyositis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been very rarely reported. Here, we report a rare case of dermatomyositis coinciding with HBV-associated HCC. A 55-year-old male was confirmed to have HCC and dermatomyositis based on proximal muscle weakness, typical skin manifestations, elevated muscle enzyme levels, and muscle biopsy findings. This case suggests that HCC and/or a chronic HBV infection may be factors in the pathogenesis of dermatomyositis through a paraneoplastic mechanism.

A Case of Acute Myocarditis as the Initial Presentation of Crohn's Disease

We experienced a case of acute myocarditis as the initial presentation of Crohn's disease. A 19-year-old woman was admitted with impaired consciousness, shock, and respiratory failure. She had suffered from frequent diarrhea and abdominal pain for several years. Cardiac troponin I and creatine kinase-MB fraction levels were elevated to 5.32 and 16.66 ng/mL, respectively. A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia, and a chest radiograph revealed interstitial pulmonary edema. An echocardiogram showed dilated ventricles with akinesia of the basal to apical inferoseptal, anteroseptal, anterior, and inferior left ventricular walls and severely impaired systolic function. Intensive care with inotropic support was effective, and her clinical condition gradually improved. Two weeks later, a colonoscopy revealed ulceration with stenosis in the terminal ileum and multiple aphthous ulcers in the rectum. A biopsy of the rectum revealed non-caseating granulomatous inflammation. She was diagnosed with Crohn's disease presenting with acute myocarditis.

Efficacy of Ramosetron in Male Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea (Neurogastroenterol Motil 2011;23:1098-1104)

No abstract available.

A Case of Inserting Two Self-expandable Metal Stents in Dual Malignant Colonic Obstructions / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Malignant colonic obstruction can lead an emergency operation for decompression, and this can cause post-operative complications due to poor bowel preparation. Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion is useful for avoiding an emergency operation and unnecessary complications. However, SEMS insertion for dual malignant colonic obstructions is very rare. We report here on a case of two SEMS that were inserted in dual malignant colonic obstructions caused by synchronous colon cancer. A 66-year-old man visited our hospital due to abdominal distension. Sigmoidoscopy and an abdominopelvic computerized tomographic (CT) scan revealed synchronous colon cancer at the splenic flexure and distal descending colon with dual obstruction. The initial SEMS insertion on the descending colon was not effective for decompression due to the proximal obstruction. After the second SEMS insertion on the splenic flexure through the first stent, all the signs and symptoms due to obstruction disappeared. SEMS insertion is considered to be useful for treating dual malignant colonic obstruction caused synchronous colon cancer.

The Effects on Nutrition, Metabolism and Infection by Proton Pump Inhibitors: Unsafe Perspective / 대한내과학회지

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are very effective drug used frequently in acid-related disorders. Long-term use of PPI is becoming increasingly common, often without appropriate indications. The debate had focused on the adverse effects related to long-term use of PPI during the last years. This article is a detailed review of the evidence on this topic, focusing on the adverse effects of long-term PPI use that have developed the greatest concern; vitamin B12 deficiency, iron deficiency, impaired calcium absorption, bony fracture, hypomagnesemia, increased susceptibility to pneumonia and enteric infections. Although PPIs have been used with a high margin of safety, the clinicians should consider reducing the dose of PPIs and reassessing the treatment duration to prevent adverse effects of PPIs.

The Frequency and Risk Factors of Colorectal Adenoma in Health-Check-up Subjects in South Korea: Relationship to Abdominal Obesity and Age

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is associated with the risk of colorectal cancer. However, there is a lack of information about the relationship between obesity and colorectal adenoma. We investigated whether general and abdominal obesity are risk factors for colorectal adenoma. METHODS: Subjects who received health check-ups, including colonoscopy, from April 2006 to September 2007 in Chung-Ang University Hospital were included (n=1,316). The frequency and characteristics of colorectal adenomas were analyzed according to demographic features, past history, blood tests, body mass index, and components of metabolic syndrome. Abdominal obesity was defined as a waist circumference of > or =80 cm in women and > or =90 cm in men. RESULTS: The sex ratio of the subjects was 1.9:1 (male:female) and their age was 47.7+/-10.0 years (mean+/-SD). In univariate analysis, abdominal obesity was significantly associated with the frequency of colorectal adenoma (26.5% "yes" vs 16.9% "no"; p or =100 mg/dL) or fatty liver (p or =60 years; OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 3.5-12.5), and abdominal obesity (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0-2.2) were independent risk factors for colorectal adenoma (p<0.05). The frequency of multiple adenomas (more than two sites) was also significantly higher in subjects with abdominal obesity. However, the effect of abdominal obesity on the development of colorectal adenoma decreased in elderly people. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity is an independent risk factor for colorectal adenoma and its multiplicity, especially in younger people in South Korea.

A clinical study on liver abscess over a recent 10-year period / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The mortality of liver abscess has remained relatively constant during this century despite earlier diagnosis, treatment of underlying causes and more aggressive antibiotics therapy. The aims of this study were to evaluate the risk factors that associated with mortality of liver abscess. METHODS: This study was carried out retrospectively including 70 patients with liver abscess from January 1992 to August 2001. The clinical features, laboratory, imaging, and microbiologic findings, management strategy, and final outcome were studied, and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 37 males and 33 females whose ages ranged from 17 to 89 years. The mean age of the patients was 57 years, and the male to female ratio was 1.1:1. In the major part of patients, the abscess was located in the right lobe (61.4%) and single in number (78.5%). Upper abdominal pain, fever and chills were the most common symptoms, and right upper abdominal tenderness was the most common physical findings. Twenty-six percent of patients were diabetic and 40%, 10% had biliary tract disease, malignancy on presentation, respectively. A hypoalbuminemia (

A Case of Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cecum Manifested as Localized Peritonitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon and rectum are rare and have been known as either carcinoid tumors or undifferentiated cancers in the past. This type of tumor frequently occurred at cecum and is known for its aggressiveness and poor prognosis, differing from adenocarcinoma of colon. There has been no literature which describes endoscopic findings of colonic neuroendocrine carcinoma. Therefore, we report a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma of cecum in 36-year-old man with endoscopic findings. After right hemicolectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, we have followed up the patient for 6 months without the evidence of recurrence.

A Case of Psoas Muscle Abscess in Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Psoas abscess, complicating Crohn's disease, is a rare condition. Typical symptoms and signs are fever, abdominal tenderness and limb pain. Our patient had fever and abdominal tenderness. The diagnosis is made by abdominopelvic CT scan. Medical therapy with antibiotics, surgical resection of the affected bowel segment with end to end anastomosis and surgical drainage of focus are treatment of choice. We have experienced one case of psoas abscess with Crohn's disease in 28-year-old male patient. He visited our hospital due to diarrhea and lower abdominal pain. The colonoscopy revealed active stage of Crohn's disease. Then he has taken methyl prednisolone and mesalazine. During the hospitalization, we detected anal fistula and psoas abscess on abdominal CT. He was managed with antibiotics and surgical drainage after colectomy. We present the case with brief review of the articles.

Is Immunohistochemistry for MLH1 and MSH2 Proteins a Useful Method for Detection of Microsatellite Instability in Sporadic Colorectal Cancer? / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to identify microsatellite instability (MSI), the test based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used. However, PCR is not routinely performed in all hospital laboratories. Recently, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MLH1 and MSH2 proteins has been reported as a rapid and useful method for MSI. However, the efficacy of IHC in the detection of the MSI has not been well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of IHC in the detection of the MSI by comparing it with the test results using PCR in colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Paraffin-embedded normal and tumor tissues from seventy-five patients who underwent surgical resection of CRC were used. Abnormal expression of MLH1 and MSH2 protein was determined by IHC using MLH1 and MSH2 antibodies. Normal and tumor DNAs were obtained from thirty CRC tissues that showed abnormal expression of MLH1 and MSH2 proteins by IHC. The MSI status was confirmed by PCR using five markers. RESULTS: Thirty tumors showed abnormal expression of MLH1 and MSH2 proteins by IHC, but only three tumors out of them were confirmed to have MSI by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that IHC with MLH1 and MSH2 antibodies does not seem to be a useful method to identify MSI in CRC, therefore PCR is required for detection of the MSI.