The gastro-esophageal reflux disease questionnaire using Indonesian language: A language validation survey.

Background: The aims of this study were to test the usefulness of the Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GERDQ) in the diagnosis of GERD, to validate the GERDQ written in Indonesian language, and to evaluate the reliability of the GERDQ for use in Indonesian-speaking GERD patients (Virginia study). Methods: This was a prospective survey of 40 patients diagnosed with GERD, based on an endoscopic examination, in 3 cities in Indonesia (Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya) from 15 January to 15 May 2009. Patients were asked to complete the GERDQ, and the validity and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed. Results: The percentages of respondents who reported symptoms lasting 4–7 days were as follows: 68% had a burning sensation behind the breastbone (heartburn); 65% had stomach content (fluid) move upwards to the throat or mouth (regurgitation); 70% had a pain in the centre of the upper abdomen; 58% had nausea; 63% had difficulty sleeping because of the heartburn and/or regurgitation; and 63% took additional medication for heartburn and/or regurgitation. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.83, indicating that all of the questions in the Indonesian-language GERDQ are valid and reliable for Indonesian GERD patients. Conclusions: This study achieved the primary objectives and showed that the GERDQ is valid and reliable for use with Indonesian-speaking GERD patients. The results were consistent with those of the DIAMOND study, which showed that the GERDQ can be used to diagnose GERD on the basis of the reported symptoms.

Patterns of Helicobacter pylori isolate resistance to fluoroquinolones, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazoles.

Helicobacter pylori eradication using the three antibiotic regimen of amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole often fails, making it imperative to find substitutes. The following study made use of 72 H. pylori isolates derived from pyloric antrum mucosa biopsies of gastritis and chronic dyspepsia patients treated at the Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital and three private hospitals in Jakarta. Testing for H. pylori sensitivity to various antimicrobials was conducted using the disk diffusion method (Kirby Bauer) and procedures determined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Intitute (CLSI)/NCCLS. The resistance rates of the isolates were 100% for metronodazole, 27.8% for clarithromycin, 19.4% for amoxicillin, 6.9% for ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin, 2.8% for sparfloxacin and gatifloxacin, and 1.4% for levofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Fluoroquinolons have the lowest resistance compared to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole.

Microorganisms and parasites in chronic infective diarrhea.

AIM: To reveal the pattern of microorganisms in chronic infective diarrhea cases. METHODS: We examined all patients suffering from chronic infective diarrhea over a six year period The patients were examined physically and at the same time laboratory tests,colon enema X-ray and colonoscopy, ileoscopy, upper GI endoscopy and small bowel X-ray were performed. RESULTS: We found 138 (66. 7%) chronic infective diarrhea from 207 chronic diarrhea patients. Parasitic causes were Candida albicans (48.55%), Blastocystis hominis (6.52%), Entamoeba histolytica (3.62%), and Giardia lamblia (3.62%) etc. Bacterial causes were Pathogenic E. coli(34.78%), Aerobacter aerogenes (3.62%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (3.62%), Geotrichum (1.45%), Shigella sonnei(0. 72%), Salmonella paratyphi (2.89%)etc. CONCLUSION: The most frequent microorganisms and parasites found in chronic infective diarrhea were pathogenic E.coli and Candida albicans.