Doença ulcerosa péptica: realmente é possível identificá-la por meio das características da dor epigástrica? / Peptic ulcer disease: is it really possible to identify it through the characteristics of epigastric pain?

OBJETIVO: Determinar se características da dor epigástrica são capazes de identificar pacientes com doença ulcerosa péptica. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle, com coleta de dados de setembro de 2014 a junho de 2016. Foram incluídos pacientes com mais de 18 anos com dispepsia que realizaram endoscopia digestiva alta ambulatorialmente. Os pacientes foram abordados antes de realizar a endoscopia digestiva alta, verificando, em suas guias, a presença de dispepsia, tendo sido convidados a responder um questionário, e, posteriormente, o prontuário de cada entrevistado foi avaliado para verificação do diagnóstico, sendo, então, divididos entre o Grupo Doença Ulcerosa Péptica (casos), com 32 pacientes, e o Grupo Controle, com 44 pacientes com dispepsia atribuída a outras causas. RESULTADOS: Dos pacientes com dispepsia não ulcerosa, 52,27% caracterizaram a dor como em queimação, sendo 47,72% moderada e que piorava com alimentação. Dentre os demais sintomas, 45,45% relataram náuseas e 25% desconforto pós-prandial, com 52,27% relatando histórico familiar negativo de doença ulcerosa péptica. Em contrapartida, dos pacientes com doença ulcerosa péptica, 53,12% referiram dor em queimação e de moderada intensidade, e 50% relataram piora com alimentação. Dentre os demais sintomas, prevaleceram também náuseas (53,12%) e desconforto pós-prandial (40,62%). A maioria (81,25%) relatou histórico familiar de doença ulcerosa péptica. Observou-se diferença estatística em dor noturna, predominando na doença ulcerosa péptica (p=0,0225) e dor em cólica na dispepsia não ulcerosa (p=0,0308), assim como na ausência de histórico familiar entre os pacientes com dispepsia não ulcerosa (p=0,0195). CONCLUSÃO: A dispepsia relacionada à doença ulcerosa péptica relaciona-se, principalmente, à piora noturna, sendo que a intensidade da dor, a relação com alimentação e os sintomas associados não auxiliaram na diferenciação da dispepsia não ulcerosa, diferentemente do que a literatura tradicionalmente informa. (AU)

To determine whether it is possible to identify Peptic Ulcer Disease through the characteristics of epigastric pain. METHODS: This is a case-control study with data collected between September 2014 and June 2016 including patients over 18 years of age with dyspepsia who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as outpatients. The patients were approached before the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy when their test requisition form indicated the presence of dyspepsia. The subjects were invited to answer a questionnaire and, afterwards, the records of all interviewees were evaluated to check for the diagnosis. Then, they were divided into a peptic ulcer disease group (cases), with 32 patients, and a control group, with 44 patients with dyspepsia from other causes. RESULTS: Among non-ulcer dyspepsia patients, 52.27% described the pain as a "burning pain", with 47.72% reporting it as moderate and aggravated by food intake. As for other symptoms, 45.45% of subjects reported nausea, and 25% reported postprandial discomfort; 52.27% had no family history of peptic ulcer disease. In contrast, 53.12% of peptic ulcer disease patients reported "burning" and moderate pain, and 50% said the pain was aggravated by eating. As for the other symptoms, nausea (53.12%) and postprandial discomfort (40.62%) prevailed; most of the patients (81.25%) had family history of peptic ulcer disease. There was a statistical difference in night pain, which was more prevalent in peptic ulcer disease (p=0.0225), and colicky pain, which was more frequent in nonulcer dyspepsia (p=0.0308), as well as absence of family history in non-ulcer dyspepsia patients (p=0.0195). CONCLUSION: Dyspepsia caused by peptic ulcer disease is mainly related to night worsening, and pain intensity, the relationship with food intake, and associated symptoms did not help differentiate nonulcer dyspepsia, differently from what the medical literature traditionally suggests. (AU)

Erradicación de Helicobacter pylori con terapia triple estándar de primera línea / Helicobacter pylori eradication with standard first-line triple therapy

La infección por Helicobacter pylori es una de las infecciones crónicas más comunes a nivel mundial y causa importante de enfermedad péptica y cáncer gástrico. Infecta al 50% de la población adulta con mayor prevalencia en América Central/Sur y Asia y al menos dos veces mayor en poblaciones con alta incidencia de cáncer gástrico. Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron identificar la tasa de erradicación de H. pylori con terapia triple estándar y las posibles características asociadas a su erradicación. Se estudió a 119 pacientes con diagnóstico de infección por H. pylori, seleccionados en forma consecutiva de la consulta externa de Gastroenterología del Hospital General San Juan de Dios. Se realizó endoscopia diagnóstica y toma de biopsia gástrica. Se dio terapia triple estándar con lansoprazol, amoxicilina y claritromicina durante 10 días, seguido de 30 días con lansoprazol. Seis semanas después de completado el tratamiento se evaluó el antígeno de H. pylori en heces para determinar si hubo erradicación. La edad promedio de los participantes fue 49.0 años, 81.5% mujeres, 85.7% de área urbana, el síntoma más común fue dispepsia en 86.6%. En el examen post tratamiento el 89.9%, IC 95% [83.0, 94.7] presentó antígeno en heces negativo. No se encontró asociación entre las características de los pacientes con la respuesta al tratamiento. En conclusión, la respuesta a la terapia triple de primera línea se encuentra dentro del rango aceptable para continuar con ese esquema, pero debe mantenerse una evaluación constante por la presencia de posible resistencia.

Infection by Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common chronic infections worldwide and an important cause of peptic disease and gastric cancer. It infects 50% of the adult population with the highest prevalence in Central / South America and Asia and at least twice as high in populations with a high incidence of gastric cancer. The objectives of this research were to identify the eradication rate of H. pylori after first line standard triple therapy and the possible characteristics associated with its eradication. It was studied 119 patients with a diagnosis of H. pylori infection, selected consecutively from the outpatient department of Gastroenterology of the San Juan de Dios General Hospital. Diagnostic endoscopy and gastric biopsy was performed. Standard triple therapy was given with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin for 10 days, followed by 30 days with lansoprazole. Six weeks after the treatment was completed, the H. pylori antigen in feces was evaluated to determine if there was eradication. The average age of the participants was 49.0 years, 81.5% women, 85.7% of urban area, the most common symptom was dyspepsia in 86.6%. In the post-treatment examination 89.9%, 95% CI [83.0, 94.7] presented negative antigen in feces. No association was found between the characteristics of the patients with the response to treatment. In conclusion, the response to first line triple therapy is within the acceptable range to continue with this scheme, but a constant evaluation must be maintained due to the presence of possible resistance.

Screening of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease from Southern Brazil / Pesquisa de doença celíaca em pacientes com doença autoimune de tireoide do sul do Brasil

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in adults with autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD) from the endocrinology outpatient setting in a university hospital in Southern Brazil. Subjects and methods: From the years 2007 to 2011, 254 patients with ATD were enrolled consecutively, Grave’s disease was diagnosed in 143 (56.3%) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 111 (43.7%) of them. All patients answered a questionnaire related to symptoms that could be associated with CD and serum samples to screen for IgA anti-endomysial (EmA-IgA) were collected. EmA-IgA-positive patients were offered upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and biopsy of duodenum. Results: A total of 254 patients were included; 222 (87.4%) female, mean age 45.4 ± 13.43 years (18 to 79 years). EmA-IgA was positive in seven patients (2.7%) and five done endoscopy with biopsy. Of these, three diagnosis of CD was confirmed (1.2%). All the three patients with CD had higher EmA-IgA titration, were female and had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Like other patients with ATD, CD patients had nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms, such as heartburn and gastric distention. In our study, one in each 85 patients confirmed the diagnosis of CD. Conclusion: We found a prevalence of 1.2% (1:85) of confirmed CD among Brazilian patients with ATD. Although some IgA-EmA positive patients had Graves’ disease and one was male, all three patients with confirmed CD were female and had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(6):625-9 .

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a prevalência de doença celíaca (DC) em adultos com doenças autoimunes de tireoide (DAT) que foram atendidos em um serviço de endocrinologia de um hospital universitário do sul do Brasil. Sujeitos e métodos: Entre os anos de 2007 a 2011, 254 pacientes com DAT foram consecutivamente incluídos, sendo 143 (56,3%) desses diagnosticados com doença de Graves e 111 (43,7%) com doença de Hashimoto. Todos os pacientes responderam a um questionário relatando sintomas que poderiam ser associados com DC, e amostras de soro para a pesquisa de anticorpo antiendomisial (EmA-IgA) foram coletadas. Os pacientes com sorologia positiva foram encaminhados para endoscopia gastrointestinal com biópsia duodenal. Resultados: No total, 254 pacientes foram incluídos, sendo 222 (87,4%) mulheres com média de idade 45,4 ± 13,43 anos (18 a 79 anos). EmA-IgA foi positivo em sete (2,7%) pacientes e cinco fizeram endoscopia com biópsia. Desses, três (1,2%) tiveram o diagnóstico de DC confirmada. Todos os três pacientes com DC apresentaram altos títulos de EmA-IgA, eram mulheres e tinham doença de Hashimoto. Assim como outras pacientes com DAT, os pacientes celíacos tinham sintomas gastrointestinais inespecíficos, como queimação e distensão gástrica. Em nosso estudo, um em cada 85 pacientes com DAT tiveram o diagnóstico de DC confirmado. Conclusão: Em nosso estudo, foi observada prevalência de 1,2% (1:85) de DC confirmada entre os pacientes com DAT, sendo todas mulheres e com doença de Hashimoto. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(6):625-9 .

La enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico: su prevalencia en dos muestras de población venezolana con referencia a la presencia de alteraciones endoscópicas y al valor de la biopsia esofágica en el diagnóstico de esta condición / Gastroesophageal reflux disease: prevalence in two samples of venezuelan population with reference to the presence of endoscopic abnormalities and value of esophageal biopsy in the diagnosis of this condition

El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue contribuir a determinar la prevalencia de la Enfermedad por Reflujo Gastroesofágico (ERGE) en nuestro país, y sus objetivos secundarios fueron la determinación del valor de la endoscopia y la biopsia de esófago en el diagnóstico de esta afección. La distribución de un cuestionario validado con elementos clínicos utilizados para el diagnóstico de ERGE entre 337 personas, de 20 a 69 años, con una edad media de 50,9, 62, 84% mujeres (grupo A) y un análisis prospectivo de 335 sujetos, de 15 a 92 años, con una edad media de 50,6, 55,49% mujeres; estudiados minuciosamente mediante historia clínica, esofagogastroduodenoscopia y biopsia de esófago (Grupo B). Se encontró que una proporción considerable de los sujetos evaluados presentaron síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico (RGE), 65,01%en el Grupo A, 62,08% en el Grupo B, y que de 335 personas en el grupo A, 39,62% presentaron síntomas al menos una vez al mes, 19,81% por lo menos una vez a la semana y 8,57% todos los días. No se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los diferentes grupos de edad. La ERGE parece afectar por igual a todos los estratos de los sujetos objeto de este estudio. Similar a lo que se ha encontrado en otras muestras, la proporción de pacientes con enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico no erosiva fue superior a los que presentan enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico erosiva (82,70% contra 17,30%). 10% de los sujetos con hallazgos endoscópicos de esofagitis erosiva fueron asintomáticos para RGE. En el Grupo A, sólo 39,52% de los individuos con síntomas de RGE consultó a un médico por este motivo y 55,23% tomaba medicamentos, principal-mente antiácidos, sin prescripción médica. Sólo 39,90% del Grupo B asistieron a consulta por este motivo. Esto significa que aproximadamente 60% de los sujetos con síntomas de RGE no buscan atención médica, aunque, cuando los síntomas fueron más frecuentes y se hicieron presentes a diario...

The primary objective of this paper was to contribute to determine the prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in our country, and its secondary goals were the determination of the value of conventional endoscopy and biopsy of the esophagus in the diagnosis of this condition. Two strategies were implemented: the distribution of a validated questionnaire with clinical elements used for the diagnosis of GERD b)etween 337 persons, (20-69 years old, mean age 50,9, 62,84% women (Group A) and a prospective analysis of 335 subjects (15-92 years old, mean age 50.6, 55.49% women, studied with a careful clinical record, esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsy of the esophagus (Group B). It was found that a considerable proportion of the subjects evaluated had symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), (65.01% in Group A, 62.08% in Group B), and that of 335 persons in Group A, 39.62% had symptoms at least one a month, 19.81% al least one a week and 8.57% every day. There was not a significant statistical difference between different groups of age. GERD seems to affect equally all the stratus of the subjects object of this study. Similar to what has been found in other series, the proportion of patients with non erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease was superior to the ones with erosive disease (82.70% vs 17.30%). 10% of subjects with endoscopic findings of erosive esophagitis were asymptomatic for GER. In Group A, only 39.52% of individuals with symptoms of GER visited a physician for this reason, and 55.23% took medications (mainly antacids) without a medical prescription. Only 39.90% from Group B consulted for this reason. It means that approximately 60% of subjects with symptoms of GER do not seek medical attention, although when the symptoms were more frequent and became present daily, 2/3 of the patients sought medical help...

Maior prevalência de obesidade na doença do refluxo gastroesofagiano erosiva / Higher prevalence of obesity in erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease

CONTEXTO: Existe uma noção geral de que indivíduos obesos desenvolvem mais freqüentemente a doença do refluxo gastroesofagiano, sendo a orientação de perder peso parte integrante do seu tratamento. Entretanto, uma base científica para esta associação não está plenamente estabelecida. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a prevalência de obesidade e sobrepeso em pacientes com sintomas típicos de refluxo, com e sem esofagite erosiva. Analisar a prevalência de hérnia hiatal e a intensidade do refluxo anormal em relação ao índice de massa corporal nos dois grupos de pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foram examinadas retrospectivamente 362 pHmetrias de pacientes com pirose, todos com endoscopia digestiva alta prévia, definindo-se esofagite erosiva pela presença de erosões esofagianas macroscópicas e hérnia de hiato quando à junção esôfago-gástrica estava 2 cm ou mais acima do pinçamento diafragmático. Pacientes com esôfago de Barrett ou estenose péptica foram excluídos. A população foi dividida em três grupos de acordo com o índice de massa corpórea: peso normal, com índice de massa corporal entre 20 e 24,9, sobrepeso, com 25 e 29,9 e obesos com índice superior a 30. O diagnóstico de refluxo gastroesofagiano anormal com sua intensidade foi avaliado de acordo com os resultados de pHmetrias, analisados nos grupos de pacientes com e sem esofagite erosiva em relação ao índice de massa corporal. RESULTADOS: Entre os 362 pacientes, havia 148 (41 por cento) com e 214 (59 por cento) sem esofagite erosiva, sendo a pHmetria anormal em 100 por cento e 57 por cento dos pacientes, retrospectivamente. Entre os 148 (61 por cento do sexo masculino, mediana de idade de 50 anos), 41 (28 por cento) apresentavam peso normal, 82 (55 por cento) sobrepeso e 25 (17 por cento) eram obesos. Havia 88 (60 por cento) com hérnia hiatal, sendo 29 (71 por cento dos pacientes com peso normal), 45 (55 por cento dos com sobrepeso) e 14 (56 por cento dos obesos). Nos 121 indivíduos sem esofagite erosiva e...

CONTEXT: Weight loss is commonly recommended as a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux; however, a relationship between excessive body weight and gastroesophageal reflux disease is not well established. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of obesity and over-weight in patients with heartburn, with and without erosive esophagitis; to analyze the prevalence of hiatal hernia and the intensity of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux in both groups of patients, and its relation to body mass index. METHODS: The data of pH monitoring of 362 individuals with heartburn were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and erosive esophagitis was defined by the presence of macroscopic erosion on the esophageal mucosa. Hiatal hernia was considered when the gastroesophageal junction was positioned 2 cm or more above the diaphragm. Patients with Barrett's esophagus or esophageal peptic stenosis were excluded. The population was categorized according to body mass index as normal weight (body mass index between 20 and 24.9); over-weight (between 25 and 29.9), and obese (greater than 30). The diagnosis as well as the intensity of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux were obtained through the analysis of the results of pH monitoring in patients with and without erosive esophagitis and in the various categories of body mass index. RESULTS: Among the 362 patients there were 148 (41 percent) with erosive esophagitis and 214 (59 percent) without erosive esophagitis, while the pH monitoring was abnormal in 100 percent and 57 percent, respectively. Among the 148 individuals with erosive esophagitis (61 percent male, median age 50 years), 41 (28 percent) had normal weight, 82 (55 percent) had over-weight and 25 (17 percent) were obese. There were 88 (60 percent) patients with hiatal hernia, which was present in 29 (71 percent of patients with normal weight), 45 (55 percent of patients with over-weight) and 14 (56 percent of obese...

Estudo de alterações na cavidade oral em pacientes com doença do refluxo gastroesofágico / Study in oral cavity alterations in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

RACIONAL: A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico, afecção de elevada e crescente incidência, pode se manifestar através de sintomas típicos (pirose e regurgitação) e atípicos (pulmonares, otorrinolaringológicos e bucais). OBJETIVO:Analisar as alterações na cavidade oral de pacientes com a doença do refluxo gastroesofágico. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 100 pacientes, sendo 50 acometidos por doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (grupo 1) e 50 controles (grupo 2). Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame clínico oral e questionário específico, e naqueles do grupo 1, foram realizadas endoscopia digestiva alta e manometria e pHmetria esofágicas. RESULTADOS: A endoscopia digestiva alta demonstrou esofagite em todos os pacientes, sendo erosiva em 20, não-erosiva em 30 e hérnia hiatal em 38. A pressão média no esfíncter inferior do esôfago foi de 11 ± 4,8 mm Hg e no superior de 75 ± 26,5 mm Hg. Em 42 pacientes do grupo 1 (84 por cento) foi observado refluxo gastroesofágico patológico. O exame clínico oral mostrou: erosões dentárias no grupo 1: 273 faces e no grupo 2: 5; dentes cariados no grupo 1: 23 e 115 no grupo 2; abrasão no grupo 1: 58 e no grupo 2: 95; desgaste por atrito: 408 no grupo 1 e 224 no grupo 2. A face dental mais acometida foi a palatina. No grupo 1, 21 pacientes referiam queixas de aftas freqüentes, 35 sensibilidade dentária, 26 ardência bucal e 42 gosto azedo na boca. Naqueles do grupo 2 estas queixas foram observadas em menor número de pacientes. CONCLUSÕES: Os doentes com doença do refluxo gastroesofágico apresentam maior incidência de erosões dentárias, aftas, ardência bucal, sensibilidade dentária e gosto azedo que os controles e menor incidência de lesões cariosas em relação aos controles.

BACKGROUND: The gastroesophageal reflux disease, which has become highly and increasingly incident, may be manifested by typical (pyrosis and regurgitation) and atypical (pulmonary, otorhinolaryngological and buccal) symptoms. AIM: To analyze alterations in the oral cavity patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: One hundred patients were studied being 50 gastroesophageal reflux disease patients (group 1) and 50 controls (group 2). All patients were submitted to an oral clinical exam and specific survey. Patients in group 1 were submitted to upper endoscopy, manometry and esophageal pH monitoring. RESULTS: The upper endoscopy revealed esophagitis in all patients, 20 erosive esophagitis, 30 no-erosive esophagitis and 38 hiatal hernia. Average pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter was 11 ± 4,8 mm Hg and of the upper esophageal sphincter 75 ± 26,5 mm Hg. In 42 patients of group 1 (84 percent) pathological gastroesophageal reflux was observed. Clinical exams revealed: dental erosions in group 1: 273 faces and in group 2: 5 tooth decays in group 1: 23 and 115 in group 2; abrasion in group 1: 58 and in group 2: 95; attrition wear: 408 in group 1 and 224 in group 2. The most damages was the palatine face. In group 1, 21 patients complained about frequent episodes of cankers sores, 35 of tooth sensibility, 26 of burning mouth and 42 of sour taste in the mouth. In group 2 the complaints were observed in lower number of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease present higher incidence of dental erosion, cankers sores, mouth burning sensation, sensitivity and sour taste than controls. Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease show lower incidence of tooth decays as compared to controls.

Correlación entre síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico y resultados de la pHmetría de 24 horas en pacientes con estudio endoscópico normal o levemente alterado / Relationship between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and 24 h esophageal pH measurement in patients with normal or minimally abnormal upper endoscopies

Background:Heartburn and regurgitation are considered highly specific symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. A considerable number of patients with these symptoms do not have endoscopic signs of esophagitis. Aim: To study the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and 24 h esophageal pH mesurement in patients with normal or near normal endoscopic findings. Patients and methods: One hundred eighty six patients with persistent reflux symptoms and absence of severe endoscopic esophagitis were studied. Pathological studies of esophageal biopsies, manometry and 24 h esophageal pH measurements were performed in all. Results: Abnormal acid reflux was found in 131 patients (70 percent). No differences in the frequency of symptoms, gender or pathologic findings were observed between patients with or without abnormal acid reflux. However, a higher frequency of esophageal erosions and a lower resting pressure of the inferior sphincter of the esophagus was observed in patients with abnormal acid reflux. Conclusions: Thirty percent of patients with heartburn and regurgitation did not have abnormal acid reflux. Therefore, these symptoms are not specific for gastroesophageal reflux (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 19-25).

Construcción y validación de un instrumento de medición de síntomas de enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico: informe preliminar / Construction and validation of a measurement instrument of gastroesophageal reflux symptom: preliminary report

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms are frequent in the general population, but there is a lack of information about its prevalence and valid and reliable scales to determine it. Aim: To design a valid and reliable scale to determine gastroesophageal reflux disease. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study with patients and controls was conducted. The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux was based of clinical plus radiological, endoscopic or pathologic criteria. A structured questionnaire was built, containing items covering different clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease. All subjects were subjected to 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. Internal consistency of items, interobserver reliability, criterion and construct validity, sensitivity, specificity and predicted values were obtained. Results: One hundred thirteen subjects (74 female and 39 male with a mean age of 46 years old) were studied. Seventy three had gastroesophageal reflux and 40 were controls. Internal consistency of the score was 0.82. Inter observer reliability was greater than 0.80 and a significant association was observed between the score and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring (p <0.001). Instrument sensitivity was 97 percent and specificity 83 percent. Conclusions: The designed scale proved to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, that can be used for future prevalence studies

Correlaçäo entre a sintomatologia e a evoluçäo do mesaesôfago / Correlation between the symptoms and the stage of the megaesophagus

Em um estudo prospectivo de 500 casos de mesaesofago, os autores analisaram a correlaçäo existente entre a sintomatologia e a evoluçäo desta afecçäo, tomando por base o seu estadiamento em 4 grupos radiológicos, de acordo com a classificaçäo de Rezende e cols. Dos 500 pacientes, 280 (56 por cento) eram do sexo masculino e 220 (44 por cento) do sexo feminino. As idades variaram de 7 a 82 anos (média de 45,1, mediana de 45 anos) com sorologia positiva em 453 pacientes (90,6 por cento). Foram analisados os seguintes sintomas: disfagia presente em 96,6 por cento dos pacientes; regurgitaçäo em 65,2 por cento; dor esofagiana em 59,3 por cento; odinofagia em 56,2 por cento; pirose em 32,2 por cento e obstipaçäo intestinal em 51 por cento. Foram ainda avaliados o déficit ponderal como indicador do estado nutricional e a hiportrofia das parótidas...