Recurrence and Its Impact on the Health-related Quality of Life in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Follow-up Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Limited data exist on the outcome of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment and its impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the Asian population. This study aims to evaluate the treatment outcomes, to investigate the factors associated with recurrence, and to evaluate the impact of the treatment outcome on the HRQoL in a Korean GERD population. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter study involving a total of 824 GERD patients. The response to treatment was assessed at week 4 (or week 8 for the patients who did not achieve complete resolution [CR] at week 4). The EQ-5D questionnaire was used at baseline, end of treatment, and first recurrence to assess the HRQoL. To assess GERD symptoms, contact of patients by phone at 1, 6, and 12 months following treatment was carried out. RESULTS: CR was achieved in 65.6% and recurrence was observed in 47.8% following treatment. CR and recurrence rates did not differ by the presence of esophagitis. Multivariate analysis revealed that acid regurgitation (odds ratio 2.249; 95% confidence interval 1.293-3.912; P = 0.004) and both acid regurgitation and heartburn (odds ratio 2.330; 95% confidence interval 1.392-3.901; P = 0.001) were independent risk factors for GERD recurrence. EQ-5D scores were more improved in patients with CR than in those without CR, and worsened more during follow-up in patients with recurrence than in those without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: We should achieve complete symptom relief and attempt to prevent recurrence in GERD patients to improve their HRQoL.

A Case of Endoscopic Removal of a Giant Appendicolith Combined with Stump Appendicitis

Stump appendicitis is an acute inflammation of the residual appendix and is a rare complication after appendectomy. The physician should be aware of the possibility of stump appendicitis in patients with right lower abdominal pain after appendectomy so that delayed diagnosis and treatment can be prevented. Stump appendicitis is usually treated by surgical resection, and endoscopic treatment has not been reported previously. A 48-year-old man who had undergone appendectomy 35 years earlier presented to the hospital because of right lower quadrant discomfort. A computed tomography scan showed a large stone in the residual appendix. Colonoscopic findings revealed a large, smooth, protruding lesion at the cecum with a stone inside the appendiceal orifice. Endoscopic removal after incision of the appendiceal orifice was performed successfully.

A Case of Enteritis Cystica Profunda in the Ampulla of Vater Mimicking Choledochocele

Enteritis cystica profunda is a very rare disease in which a mucin-filled cystic space is surrounded partially with nonneoplastic columnar epithelium in the submucosa of the small intestine. Most of the cases are accompanied by intestinal diseases, and the disease usually occurs in the jejunum and the ileum and there has been no report of a case that occurred in the ampulla of Vater. A 58-year-old healthy female patient without any particular symptom visited the hospital to get additional examination for a mass found on the ampulla of Vater by accident. In esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a cystic mass showing a positive pillow sign was found on the ampulla of Vater. Endoscopic retrogradecholangiopancreatography was conducted as choledochocele was suspected, but no abnormality was found in the biliary system. In endoscopic ultrasonography, multiseptated cystic structures were detected in the submucosal layer of the duodenum. The lesion was resected completely through endoscopic snare polypectomy and the case was histologically diagnosed as enteritis cystica profunda.

The Adequate Induction Dose of Propofol for Conscious Sedation During Esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Persons 60 Years or Older / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Propofol is an effective sedative drug in endoscopic procedures, but it has potentially serious adverse effects, so close monitoring of the vital signs should be performed during endoscopy. This study was undertaken to determine the adequate induction dose of propofol for safe and effective sedation during esophagogastrodudenoscopy (EGD) in persons 60 years or older. METHODS: Three hundred patients who visited our hospital for EGD were randomly assigned to three groups (A,B and C). An initial induction dose of 0.5 mg/kg, 0.75 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg of propofol was allocated to groups A, B and C, respectively. RESULTS: The 0.5 mg/kg, 0.75 mg/kg and, 1 mg/kg dose of propofol were all safe as an initial dose of propofol for achieving sedation during EGD in persons 60 years or older. There was no difference in the total amount of propofol among the three groups. Group C had a significantly shorter induction time and a lower dose was required for an additional injection of propofol without increasing adverse events, as compared to the two other groups. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that 1 mg/kg of propofol is an effective induction dose for sedation during EGD in persons 60 years or older.

A Case of Signet-ring Cell Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater is so rare that only 16 cases have been reported. Here we report a case of a 47-year-old man with signet-ring cell carcinoma in the ampulla of Vater. The patient was hospitalized for right upper quadrant abdominal pain and jaundice which had developed 10 days prior. Computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US) revealed dilatation of the common bile duct and the intrahepatic bile duct. On duodenoscopy, a bulging mass with an irregular margin in the major papilla was noted. Histologic findings showed a signet-ring cell carcinoma. Surgical resection was not done because lymph node metastasis was noted during the operation. Hence, conservative treatment including chemotherapy and bile drainage was done.

The Adequate Dose of Propofol for Inducing Sedation during Performance of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Koreans / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Propofol sedation is increasingly being used when performing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy because of its rapid onset and good recovery profile. For achieving safe sedation during endoscopy, close monitoring of the vital signs is necessary because of the sedation's potentially serious adverse effects. There are only a few studies on the induction of sedation with using propofol for endoscopy in Korea. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the adequate initial injected dose of propofol for achieving safe and effective sedation when performing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Koreans. METHODS: From March 2008 to July 2008, 150 subjects who visited Kwangju Christian Hospital were randomized into 3 groups. An initial bolus dose of 0.5 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg of propofol was allocated to groups A, B and C, respectively. The effectiveness and safety profiles of each injected dose of propofol were prospectively assessed by measuring various parameters of the vital signs and the adverse events. RESULTS: Group C had a significantly shorter induction time and the patients in group C did not require additional injections of propofol without increasing adverse events, as compared to that of the other 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: 1.5 mg/kg of propofol was found to be more appropriate than 0.5 mg/kg or 1.0 mg/kg of propofol as the initial injected dose for induction of sedation during performance of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Koreans.

A Case of Refractory Esophageal Stricture Induced by Lye Ingestion and Treated by Temporary Placement of Newly Designed Self-Expanding Metal Stent and Wetting with Mitomycin C / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Ingestion of strong acids or strong alkalies may produces severe inflammation on the mucosa of the esophagus and this may also causes esophageal stricture. Several forms of non-operative dilatations have been utilized for the treatment of esophageal stricture and they have shown good results. Yet some patients do not achieve acceptable symptom relief despite of intensive dilatation. Temporary placement of esophageal stent has recently been used in some of these patients. Furthermore, mitomycin C has been used as a conservative treatment for refractive esophageal stricture in children, yet its efficacy has not been well established. We experienced a case of a 64-year old man with severe, recurrent esophageal stricture, and this was successfully managed by temporary placement of an esophageal stent, together with a spray of mitomycin C. We report on this case along with the review of the literature.