Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Korea appears to be increasing. Some studies have shown that T2DM is a risk factor for symptomatic GERD. However, this possibility is still debated, and the pathogenesis of GERD in T2DM is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and risk factors (including autonomic neuropathy) of GERD in patients with T2DM. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study enrolled T2DM patients (n=258) and healthy controls (n=184). All participants underwent physical examinations and laboratory tests. We evaluated medical records and long-term diabetes complications, including peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in patients with T2DM. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed in all patients. The Los Angeles (LA) classification was used to grade GERD. GERD was defined as LA grade A (or higher) or minimal change with GERD symptoms. GERD symptoms were examined using a frequency scale. Data were expressed as mean±standard error. Independent t-tests or chi-square tests were used to make comparisons between groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of GERD (32.6% vs. 35.9%, P=0.266) and GERD symptoms (58.8% vs. 59.2%, P=0.503) was not significantly different between T2DM patients and controls. We found no significant differences between T2DM patients with GERD and T2DM patients without GERD with respect to diabetic complications, including autonomic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, duration of DM, and glucose control. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GERD in patients with T2DM showed no difference from that of controls. GERD was also not associated with peripheral and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, age, or duration of DM in patients with T2DM.

The Effect of Indigocarmine on Improvement of the Polyp Detection Rate during Colonoscopic Examination with Hood Cap

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hood cap-assisted chromocolonoscopy using indigocarmine is expected to improve the detection rate of colorectal polyps, especially adenomatous polyps. Therefore, aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of hood cap-assisted chromocolonoscopy in routine colonoscopic examinations. METHODS: From January, 2013 through March, 2013, a total of 86 patients were enrolled (M:F=33:53, mean age=60 years). For each patient, hood cap-assisted colonoscopic examination was performed, followed by hood cap-assisted chromocolonoscopy using 0.2% indigocarmine from the cecum to the hepatic flexure. Total numbers and characteristics of polyps were compared before and after indigo carmine dye spraying. RESULTS: Prior to dye spraying, 48 polyps were found in 37 patients, and after dye spraying, 53 additional polyps were found in 34 patients. Of these undetected polyps, 45 (85%) were small sized polyps (< or =0.5 cm). Histologically, 19 (36%) were adenomatous polyps, and of these, 15 (28%) were tubular adenomas and 4 (8%) were serrated adenomas. As for the polyp detection rate, there was no difference between the expert and the non-expert groups. CONCLUSION: Hood cap-assisted chromocolonoscopic examination using indigocarmine was helpful in detecting cecum and ascending colon polyps, especially small sized polyps (<0.5 cm) and neoplastic polyps.

Efficacy of Hood-cap Assisted Colonoscopy; Comparison with Conventional Colonoscopy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A few studies showed that hood-cap assisted colonoscopy (CAC) had improved cecal intubation rate and cecal intubation time but did not help in finding colon polyps in comparison with conventional colonoscopy (CC). However, other studies have shown different results. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of CAC for the cecal intubation time and polyp detection rate. METHODS: Patients for colonoscopy in Busan St. Mary's Medical Center were enrolled to this randomized controlled trial between July 2010 and September 2010. The evaluated outcomes were polyp detection rate, adenoma detection rate, and cecal intubation time in all patients, in difficult cases (history of previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, obesity, old age), and in the expert and non-expert groups. RESULTS: A total of 260 patients enrolled in this study were randomly allocated to the CAC group (n=130), or CC group (n=130). The overall cecal intubation time was shorter in the CAC group (5.7+/-3.4 min vs. 7.8+/-5.7 min, P<0.001). The polyp detection rate was higher in the CAC group (58.4% vs. 43%, P=0.008). The cecal intubation time in the expert and non-expert groups were shorter in the CAC group (expert: 4.1+/-2.2 min vs. 5.5+/-2.0 min, P=0.001; non-expert: 6.7+/-3.7 min vs. 9.4+/-5.9 min, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of CAC improved the detection rate of colon polyps and shortened the cecal intubation time for both the expert and non-expert groups.

The Association between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND: There is a close connection between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the risk of cancers and related mortality. The principal objective of the present study was to explore the association between type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 1111 subjects (age > or = 30 years) who were subjected to colonoscopies between June 2006 and June 2009. We evaluated the anthropometric data, presenting symptoms and signs, history of diabetes, laboratory data, colonoscopy findings and biopsy results. We analyzed the correlation between colorectal cancer and influencing factors, and compared the incidence rates of colorectal cancer in the type 2 diabetes and control groups. RESULTS: Four hundreds and seven of the subjects had diabetes mellitus. The incidence of colorectal cancer was increased significantly in type 2 diabetes relative to the control group (7.4% vs. 3.4%, P < 0.05). Colorectal cancer was correlated significantly with age, type 2 diabetes, constipation, anemia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Following logistic regression analysis, age and constipation were associated significantly with colorectal cancer. In the age below 65 years subgroup, the incidence of colorectal cancer was increased significantly in the type 2 diabetes group relative to the control group. CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetes was associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. This association was more definite in the subjects younger than 65 years.

A Case of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis Diagnosed by Repeated Abdominal Pain with Eosinophilic Ascites and Cystitis / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a relatively uncommondisease of unknown etiology and pathogensis. It is characterized by massive tissue eosinophilia, that can involve any layers of the gastrointestinal tract wall. The gastrointestinal signs and symptoms usually reflect the layer which is most severly affected. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis can be rarely accompanied by extraintestinal involvement. We report a case of a 19-year-old male with repeated epigastric and low abdominal pain. An abdominal computed tomography showed diffused wall thickeningof esophagus, small bowel and bladder with ascites. Esosinophilic infiltration was shown by multiple biopsies of the esophagus, duodenum on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and peritoneal fluid analysis. The patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis, accompanied by esosinophilic ascites and cystitis and was treated with corticosteroid and ketotifen. Abdominal pain was improved dramatically.

Response: The Association between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Colorectal Cancer

No abstract available.

Correlation of HBV DNA Level and Viral Breakthrough During Lamivudine Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine is an effective therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients, but the emergence of resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants is a major concern. This study was performed to investigate whether serum viral DNA levels during lamivudine therapy are related with viral breakthrough in patients with chronic HBV infection. METHODS: This study consisting of 103 patients was performed retrospectively and prospectively. Follow-up duration was 24 months after lamivudine therapy. Serum HBV DNA levels were quantified by PCR-based assay every 6 months. RESULTS: Cumulative rate of viral breakthrough was 0%, 19.4%, 36%, and 48.5% in 6, 12, 18, and 24 months respectively. The rate of viral breakthrough in 24 months increased as serum HBV DNA levels increased at 6 months. When serum HBV DNA levels were 2-3 log10, 3-4 log10, 4-5 log10, and 5 log10 copies/mL or more, the breakthrough rates were significantly higher than that of the HBV DNA level less than 2 log10 copies/mL. The relative risks were 1.10, 1.93, 2.69, 3.21 respectively (P<0.001). The viral breakthrough rate also increased as serum HBV DNA levels at 12 months increased. When the HBV DNA levels were 2-3 log10, 3-4 log10, 4-5 log10, and 5 log10 copies/ mL or more, the breakthrough rate were significantly higher than those of HBV DNA level less than 2 log10 copies/mL. The relative risks were 2.42, 4.35, 3.73, 2.61, respectively (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The serum HBV DNA levels at 6 months and 12 months during lamivudine therapy can be closely correlated with the rate of viral breakthrough in 24 months.

Diffuse Intestinal Hemangiomatosis Diagnosed by Endoscopy in a Patient with Anemia / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gastrointestinal hemangiomatosis is a rare benign vascular lesion, which can produce massive or persistent blood loss. Numerous lesions, usually of the cavernous type, involve stomach, small bowel, and colon. The diagnosis of hemangiomatosis is difficult. It is diagnosed usually by endoscopic study or barium enema for bleeding or anemia evaluation in childhood. A 17-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with anemia and dizziness for several months. She was diagnosed as diffuse intestinal hemangiomatosis by gastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy. Gastroduodenosocpic findings showed multiple, small, mound-like, reddish-purple hemangiomas on the lower body, fundus and prepyloric area of the stomach. Colonoscopic findings showed similar lesions on the ascending and descending colon. The polypoid lesion on the ascending colon was ligated by detachable snare due to bleeding. No other hemangioma was detected by ultrasonography, abdominal angiography or small bowel series. We report a case of diffuse hemangiomatosis, largely distrubuted in the stomach and colon, but without involvement of skin or other solid organ. The bleeding hemangioma on the ascending colon was treated by endoscopic ligation, and the anemia of the patient was improved.

A case of a large pedunculated brunner's gland adenoma treated by endoscopic polypectomy using Metal Clip / 대한내과학회지

A 49-year-old woman had nonspecific digestive symptoms such as indigestion and upper abdominal discomfort. Endoscopic examination revealed a large pedunculated polypoid lesion arising in the postbulbar region and extending to the second part of the duodenum. This polyp was successfully removed via endoscopic snare polypectomy. We applied metal clip on the base of polyp for preventing bleeding or perforation. There was no serious complication.

Endoscopic Hemoclipping in a Terminal Ileal Dieulafoy's Lesion / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon source of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The lesion predominantly occurs in the proximal stomach, but may occur in all parts of the gastrointestinal tract including small bowel, colon and rectum. We herein report a case of a patient who presented with hematochezia from Dieulafoy's lesion of the terminal ileum with adherent blood clots. Bleeding was successfully controlled with endoscopic treatment by utilizing hemoclipping.

4 Cases of Duodenal Diverticular Bleeding Treated by Endoscopic Therapy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Duodenal diverticulum appears in 6% of upper gastrointestinal examinations and up to 23% of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticographies and up to 22% at autopsy. Most of these patients are asymptomatic, but a small fraction develop complications including choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, perforation, fistular formation and bleeding. Among these complications, only a few documented cases of bleeding have been reported in the literature, and the experience of endoscopist to the sequence of diagnosis, endoscopic treatment, and subsequent relief of the symptoms remains limited. Aggressive but careful endoscopic examination can help diagnosis of the cases. Also, endoscopic treatment of duodenal diverticular bleeding is very effective and proved to be an effective alternative to surgery. We report 4 patients with duodenal diverticular bleeding in whom both diagnosis and definitive treatment were successful by endoscopy alone.

A Case of Hydrogen Peroxide Proctitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Hydrogen peroxide is a safe and useful disinfectant that has achieved widespread utility in various clinical settings. However, hydrogen peroxide may cause mucosal damage and contact injury when applied to the surface of the gut wall. Endoscopically, hydrogen peroxide colitis and proctitis can mimic acute ulcerative colitis, ischemic colitis, or pseudomembranous colitis such as mucosal whitening, erythema, frothy bubbles, granularity and ulceration. We have experienced a case of hydrogen peroxide proctitis in a 37- year-old female patient. She visited our hospital due to symptoms such as hematochezia, anal pain and pelvic pain after insertion of 15 mL of 3% hydogen peroxide. Colonscopy revealed rectal mucosal whitening, severe erythema and scattered small ulcerations up to 12 cm from the anal verge. Pathologic finding revealed neutrophil infiltration in the lamina propria and intact colonic crypt. Herein we report a case of hydrogen peroxide proctitis with reviewed literatures.

Two Cases of Multiple Carcinoid Tumors of the Rectum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Carcinoid tumors of the rectum are relatively uncommon and comprise only about one percent of all rectal neoplasms. Typically, rectal carcinoids present as small, solitary submucosal nodules and have benign course. But, multicentricity is rare. The frequency of an associated second malignancy is about 13%. The explanation of the high frequency of other neoplasms associated with carcinoid tumors is still unclear. We have experienced two cases of multiple carcinoid tumors of the rectum, one was coexisted with adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. They presented with mass on the right inguinal area and hematochezia. Carcnoids was found incidentally. Because the tumors measured 15 mm or less in diameter, did not infiltrate beyond the submucosal layer and had no histological atypia, carcinoids was treated by endoscopic polypectomy and mucosal resection. Thereafter, one underwent surgery for adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. Herein we present our experience with reviewed literatures.

A Case of Duodenal Mucormycosis in a Immunocompetent Patient / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Mucormycosis is a rare and fulminating opportunistic fungal infection that occurs almost in immunocom-promised patients. It is also a highly virulent and rapidly progressive disease with poor prognosis. Its incidence has been increasing in recent years. We have experienced a case of solitary duodenal mucormycosis in a 45 year-old male patient. Mucormycosis was diagnosed by pathology & culture and he was treated with amphotericin B and discharged with clinical improvement. We report this case with a literature review.

A Case of Glomus Tumor Arising in the Stomach / 대한소화기내시경학회지

It is very important to be aware of occurrence and distinctive histologic features of gastric glomus tumor because its clinical presentation and endoscopic ficdings are indistinguishable from other gastric tumors. A 58-year-old man was admitted because of intermittent epigastric pain and indigestion for 2 months. Physical examination and laboratory findings revealed within normal limits. Upper gastroendoscopy demonstrated a submucosal mass near the antrum with central mucosal depressionand peripheral multiple erosions. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a circumscribed mass that continued to the third and fourth layers which demonstrated a heterogeneous low echo pattern mixed with internal high echo spots. Histologically, the tumor cells have uniform small nuclei with inconspicuous nucleoli. Immunochemical analysis on the tumor cells expressed alpha 1 smooth muscle actin and the tumor cells are enveloped by reticulin fiber, individually or grouped. A case of glomus tumor of the stomach is herein reported with a review of literature.

A Case of Acute Phlegmonous Esophagitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Phlegmonous esophagitis is an uncommon disease characterized by purulent infection of the esophageal wall, sparing the mucosa. Bacterial infection of the eosphagus is usually presented as a superimposed infection upon a preexisting viral or fungal esophagitis and most victims are immunocompromised hosts. A case was experienced involving an acute phlegmonous esophagitis in an 21-year-old man who was immunologically normal and whose main symptoms were epigastric pain and fever for one day. Esophagographic examination revealed a large ulceration of the eosphagus with exudation, and submucosal lesions. Due to its rarity, this case is herein reported with a review of the corresponding literature.

A Case of Antral and Duodenal Nonpolypoid Adenomas in a Patient with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominantly inherited colon cancer-predisposing disorder, characterized by the development of innumerable adenomas in the large intestine. Polyps are present in the upper gastrointestinal tract in almost all FAP patients and there is a peculiar predilection for adenomatous change in the duodenum. Colonic adenomas in FAP are commonly observed as polyps but nonpolypoid adenomas can also be seen in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Careful endoscopic examination is needed for detecting such nonpolypoid lesions. At present, the adenoma-carcinoma sequence is thought to exist also in the duodenum, and malignancy of the duodenum represents one of the most common causes of mortality among patients with FAP. Therefore, careful periodic follow-up of upper intestinal endoscopies are recommended in patients with this disease, in consideration to the possible development of duodenal nonpolypoid adenomatous lesions. A case involving an experience of antral and duodenal nonpolypoid adenomas in a patient with FAP is herein reported.

A Study of Treatment in Adult Patients with Idiopathic Membranous glomerulonephritis / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare efficacy of treatment between steroid therapy and steroid-chlorambucil combination therapy in patients with adult-onset idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis (MN). METHODS: A series of 31 biopsy-proved idiopathic MN patients was analyzed retrospectively to estimate effect of treatment with steroid and/or cytotoxic agent. All patients (male 15, female 16, mean age of 37 years old) presented a full-blown nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria >3.0gm/day, serum albumin <3.0mg/dL, edema) at the initiation of treatment and were observed for at least 6 months (mean follow up period: 28 +/- 23 months). Clinical and laboratory information were obtained at the time of presentation and at last follow up. Each patient was assigned to one of the following protacols. 1) Steroid therapy prednisolone 40 or 60mg/day (single dose) for 16 weeks. 2) Steroid-Chlorambucil combination therapy: for 6 months with three cycles of methylprednisolone pulse therapy (lgm 1V for 3 days), prednisolone 0.5mg/kg/day for 27 days, then chlorambucil 0.2mg/kg/day for 28 days. 3. Cyclophosphamide 2mg/kg/day for 28 days. RESULTS: 1) Final status in total 31 cases irrespective of therapeutic modality were complete remission in 5 (16%) cases, partial remission in 9 (29%) cases, no response in 12 (41%) cases, spontaneous complete remission in 1 cases, and spontaneous partial remission in 1 case. 2) After initial steroid therapy (in 25 cases), We observed no response in 17 (68%) case, partial remission in 3 (12%) cases, complete remission in 3 (12%) cases, and spontaneous partial remission in 2 (8%) cases. 3) The combination therapy (steroid and chlorambucil) tried in 10 cases results in 5 (50%) cases of partial remission, 2 (20%) cases of complete remission, 1 (10%) case of spontaneous partial remission, and 2 (20%) cases of no response. 4) During follow up period, renal functional deterioration was absent in any case and final albumin levels were significantly increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Steroid-chlorambucil combination protocol is considered to be a more effective treatment with higher rate of overall remission compared to steroid therapy. Idiopathic MN itself seems to have a relatively benign course when considering that renal function was preserved in all cases without progression to chronic renal failure and that a few cases of spontaneous remission could be observed. For the limitation in number of cases and duration of follow up in this study, it needs prospective controlled study of more larger scale with long-term follow up to get a more reliable results.

Echocardiographic Findings in Cardiac Tumors

Primary tumors of the heart are uncommon and their incidence in autopsy series ranges from 0.0017 to 0.28 per cent. About 75 per cent of all cardiac tumors are histologically benign and the remainder are malignant. The majority of benign cardiac tumors are myxoma, comprising 30 to 50 per cent of the total cases in most pathological series and the majority of malignant cardiac tumors are sarcoma. But tumors metastatic to the heart are far more common than primary cardiac tumors and actually appear to be increasing in incidence because of prolonged survival of cancer patients. We experienced six cases of cardiac tumors which were diagnosed with echocardiography : 2 hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 malignant melanoma, 1 malignant fibros histiocytoma, 1 lipoma, and 1 myxoma. The mean age of the 3 men and 3 women was 50(range 28 to 71). Two patients with right atrial metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma and one patient with metastasis from malignant melanoma expired during conservative management. Two benign cardiac tumors(1 lipoma and 1 myxoma) were successfully excised and later follow-up echocardiography showed no signs of tumor recurrence. One patient with biatrial recurrence of malignant histiocytoma was treated medically and expired 4 months later.

Intravascular Ultrasonographic Detection of Atherosclerotic Lesions in Spastic Segments of the Coronary Arteries in Patients with Variant Angina

Coronary artery spasm plays an important role for evoking myocardial ischemia and infarction as well as sudden cardiac death in patients with variant angina. The coronary anatomy in patients with variant angina has been defined both at autopsy and during coronary arteriography. Severe porximal coronary atherosclerosis of at least one major vessel occurs in 3/4 of patients and the remainder have normal coronary arteries. Coronary angiography is a relatively insensitive diagnostic tool especially in the early stages of coronary artery disease. Due to arterial remodelling, angiographic luminogram may show little or no narrowing even though a large part of the total vessel area is occupied by plaque. Intravascular ultrasonography(IVUS) enables accurate determination of vessel dimensions and wall characteristics and is more sensitive in delineating early intimal changes than angiography. We experienced 2 cases that IVUS showed focal or diffuse atherosclerosis in spastic segments of the coronary arteries, even though they appeared angiographically normal.