RESUMEN
Different clinical and epidemiological studies using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry have shown an increased prevalence of low bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between bone density and the disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis. In this cross-sectional study, 52 patients with ulcerative colitis [duration of the disease less than 5 years] were invited to our research center, Golestan province, northeast of Iran, during February 2012 up to August 2012. A demographic checklist and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index was completed for each patients and 5 cc of blood sample was taken after obtaining the informed consent. We used colorimetry method for measuring serum calcium, UV method for serum phosphorus and ELISA for serum vitamin D. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was done to evaluate the bone density. Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 16. Normality of data was assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. T and ANOVA tests were used if data had normal distribution. Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for the remaining data. Correlation between qualitative variables was evaluated by Chi-square test. The mean [ +/- SD] age and disease activity of the patients were 37.72 [ +/- 12.18] years and 4.78 [ +/- 1.98], respectively. There were no correlation between disease activity and mean age Low bone density was seen in 30.8%, 11 .5%, and 15.4% in spine, femur neck, and hip, respectively. There was no relationship between Z-score of total hip, spine, and femur neck with disease activity, age, and duration of disease [p>0.05]. Our results showed an acceptable rate of low bone density in patients with ulcerative colitis without any correlation with the disease activity index
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND Only a few studies in Western countries have investigated the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] and mortality at the general population level and they have shown mixed results
This study investigated the association between GERD symptoms and overall and cause-specific mortality in a large prospective population-based study in Golestan Province, Iran
METHODS: Baseline data on frequency, onset time, and patient-perceived severity of GERD symptoms were available for 50001 participants in the Golestan Cohort Study [GCS]
We identified 3107 deaths [including 1146 circulatory and 470 cancer-related] with an average follow-up of 6.4 years and calculated hazard ratios [HR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI] adjusted for multiple potential confounders
RESULTS: Severe daily symptoms [defined as symptoms interfering with daily work or causing nighttime awakenings on a daily bases, reported by 4.3% of participants] were associated with cancer mortality [HR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.04-2.05]
This increase was too small to noticeably affect overall mortality
Mortality was not associated with onset time or frequency of GERD and was not increased with mild to moderate symptoms
CONCLUSION: We have observed an association with GERD and increased cancer mortality in a small group of individuals that had severe symptoms. Most patients with mild to moderate GERD can be re-assured that their symptoms are not associated with increased mortality