Duodenal pathologies in children: a single-center experience / Patologias duodenais em crianças: experiência de único centro

Abstract Objective Several studies have been performed concerning pathologies of the stomach and esophagus in the pediatric age group. However, there have been very few studies of duodenal pathologies in children. The authors aimed to examine the clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics, as well as the etiology of duodenal pathologies in children. Method Patients aged between 1 and 17 years undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy during two years at this unit, were investigated retrospectively. Demographic, clinical, endoscopic data, and the presence of duodenal pathologies, gastritis, and esophagitis were recorded in all of the children. Results Out of 747 children who underwent endoscopy, duodenal pathology was observed in 226 (30.3%) patients. Pathology was also present in the esophagus in 31.6% of patients and in the stomach in 58.4%. The level of chronic diarrhea was higher in patients with duodenal pathology when compared with those without duodenal pathology (p = 0.002, OR: 3.91, 95% CI: 1.59-9.57). Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in patients with pathology in the duodenum (59.3%). Conclusion Duodenal pathology was detected in 30.3% of the present patients. A significantly higher level of chronic diarrhea was observed in subjects with duodenal pathologies compared to those with no such pathology. The rate of Helicobacter pylori infection was considerably higher than that in previous studies. In addition, there is a weak correlation between endoscopic appearance and histology of duodenitis.

Resumo Objetivo Foram feitos vários estudos com relação a patologias do estômago e esôfago na faixa etária pediátrica. Contudo, poucos estudos das patologias duodenais em crianças. Visamos a examinar as características clínicas, endoscópicas e histopatológicas, juntamente com a etiologia, das patologias duodenais em crianças. Método Foram investigados retrospectivamente pacientes entre 1 e 17 anos submetidos a esofagogastroduodenoscopia durante dois anos em nossa unidade. Os dados demográficos, clínicos e endoscópicos e a presença de patologias duodenais, gastrite e esofagite foram registrados com relação a todas as crianças. Resultados Das 747 crianças submetidas a endoscopia, 226 (30,3%) apresentaram patologia duodenal. A patologia também esteve presente no esôfago de 31,6% dos pacientes e no estômago de 58,4%. O nível de diarreia crônica foi maior nos pacientes com patologia duodenal, em comparação com os pacientes sem patologia duodenal (p = 0,002, RC: 3,91, IC de 95%: 1,59-9,57). Infecção por Helicobacter pylori foi mais comum em pacientes com patologia no duodeno (59,3%). Conclusão Foi detectada patologia duodenal em 30,3% de nossos pacientes. Um nível significativamente maior de diarreia crônica foi observado em indivíduos com patologias duodenais, em comparação aos sem patologia. A infecção por Helicobacter pylori esteve presente consideravelmente maior do que em estudos anteriores. Além disso, há uma fraca correlação entre a imagem endoscópica e a histologia de duodenite.

Development of a Rating System for Digestive System Impairments: Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline

A systematic and effective welfare system for people with digestive system impairments is required. In Korea, an objective and scientific rating guideline does not exist to judge the digestive system impairments. Whether the impairments exist or not and the degree of it need to be examined. Thus, with these considerations we need a scientific rating guideline for digestive system impairments to fit our cultural and social background. In 2007, a research team, for the development of rating impairment guidelines, was organized under the supervision of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences. The rating guidelines for digestive system impairments was classified into upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts impairments and liver impairment. We developed objective rating guidelines for the upper gastrointestinal tract, the impairment generated after surgery for the stomach, duodenum, esophagus, and for the lower gastrointestinal tract, the impairment generated after construction and surgery for colon, rectum, anus, and intestinal stomas. We tried to make the rating impairment guidelines to include science, objectivity, convenience, rationality, and actuality. We especially emphasized objectivity as the most important value. We worked to make it easy and convenient to use for both the subjects who received the impairment ratings and the doctors who will give the ratings.