Erosive Gastroesophageal reflux disease – are we missing pulmonary symptoms?

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition that affects about 20- 30% of the adult population, presenting with a broad spectrum of symptoms and varying degrees of severity and frequency. Extra esophageal manifestations like respiratory symptoms are being increasingly recognized. There are only very few studies on the prevalence of pulmonary symptoms in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Aim: The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of pulmonary symptoms in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study done on 100 patients diagnosed based on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings. Patients were first interviewed about GERD symptoms using the GERD Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire. Then the respiratory symptoms are assessed. Demographic details are recorded in a proforma. Pulmonary function tests were done on all the patients. Upper GI endoscopic findings are graded according to Los Angeles (LA) grading from A to D Results: The prevalence of pulmonary symptoms was 60%. The most prevalent symptom was a cough, then followed by dyspnoea on exertion, chest pain, wheezing, and snoring. There was a significant association found between LA grading and pulmonary symptoms like wheezing, cough, chest pain, and hoarseness of voice. No significant association was found between GERD duration and pulmonary symptoms. There was a statistically significant association found between LA grading and pulmonary function test. No association was found between quality of life scoring and pulmonary symptoms. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of pulmonary symptoms in patients with erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. Erosive GERD can affect pulmonary function according to severity. There was no association between prolonged GERD and pulmonary symptoms.

A randomized double blind placebo controlled trial of probiotics in minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Background and aim: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common and serious complication of liver disease. Minimal HE has major impact on all aspects of a patient’s life. The aim of this study was to asses the efficacy of probiotics in minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Methods: Stable cirrhotics with minimal hepatic encephalopathy diagnosed by number connection test and evoked responses were recruited for the study. The patients were randomized to two groups and the drugs were administered in a double blind fashion. Improvement in number connection test score, evoked response time and arterial ammonia levels were noted. Results: 43 patients were recruited for the study; 21 in the probiotics group and 22 in the placebo group. There was no statistically significant change in the parameters like arterial ammonia, evoked responses and number connection test before and after treatment with probiotics when compared to placebo. Conclusion: Short term administration of probiotics did not produce any significant improvement in the various parameters assessed in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy when compared with placebo.

Non-familial juvenile polyposis in prolapsed rectum.

Juvenile polyposis located solely on prolapsed rectal mucosa is very unusual. We report the case of a 17-year old boy who presented to us with a history of passage of blood and mucus per rectum of a mass protruding through the anus during defecation. Per rectal and colonoscopic examinations revealed numerous polyps located solely on the prolapsed rectal mucosa. Histopathology was consistent with juvenile polyposis. He was managed with repeated sessions of endoscopic polypectomy. Family screening was negative for colonic polyps.

External resection of a giant sigmoid lipoma causing colonic intussusception and prolapse through the anal canal.

We depict the case of an 80-year-old female patient who presented to us with a history of protruding mass per anum. Sigmoidoscopy revealed a large globular pedunculated polyp at 22 cm from the anal verge resulting in a sigmoidorectal intussusception. Endoscopic polypectomy was not technically possible due to the large size of the polyp. At the time of prolapse the polyp was tied at its pedicle with thread and resected surgically. The patient is asymptomatic on follow-up.