ABSTRACT
Aim: to determine the frequency of erosive and ulcerative defects and ulcerative bleeding of the gastroduodenal zone in patients with COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods. Fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed in patients in the hospital for the COVID-19 infection treatment when they had heartburn, dyspepsia, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding among patients. In total, endoscopy was performed in 387 patients (116 men and 271 women, mean age 65.4 years). Erosive esophagitis was assessed according to the Los Angeles classification (1994), candidiasis esophagitis according to the Kodsi classification (1976), esophageal varices according to K. J. Paquet (1983), classification of ulcerative bleeding according to J. A. Forrest (1974). Results. Erosions in the esophagus was found in 25.3% of the examined patients, gastric and duodenal erosions - in 44.4% of persons, gastric and duodenal ulcers - in 10.1% of patients. Gastroduodenal bleeding was determined in 5.7% of the examined patients and was associated with ulcerative defects in 81.8% of cases. Male gender was a strong risk factor for erosions, ulcers, and bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion. In patients with COVID-19, complications from the gastrointestinal tract, manifested by ulcerative defects and bleeding from the gastroduodenal zone, are a significant problem. It seems rational to propose to treat patients with COVID-19 infection receiving massive anti-inflammatory, anthrombocytic, anticoagulant therapy in the same way as is customary in the management of cardiological and rheumatological patients for the prevention of NSAID-gastropathy. © 2022 Global Media Technologies. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aim. To review the main indications for probiotics prescription in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and to present the materials of an Expert Council, which was held on 18 March 2022 in Moscow. Key points. Gut microbiota disturbance is an integral part of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pathogenesis. Changes of colonic microbiota composition are associated with its functional potential modification, which leads to an increasing of the pro-inflammatory immune response, as well as to an exacerbation of the disease symptoms and quality of life decreasing in patients with IBS. The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is an independent risk factor for both exacerbation and onset of IBS, which predispose to increase IBS incidence. Correction of gut microbiota composition with probiotics seems to be a promising therapeutic target for IBS treatment optimizing. The optimal probiotic should be effective, safe, strain-specific, and its dose and duration of administration should be confirmed by the results of clinical studies. Some of the probiotics with proven efficacy in IBS are Alflorex® and Enterol®. Conclusion. Prescription of certain probiotics in IBS is advisable to normalize the frequency and consistency of stools, relieve abdominal pain and bloating, as well as improve patients’ quality of life. © 2022 Editorial Department of Scientia Agricultura Sinica. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Aim. An analysis of digestive disease mortality dynamics in different subjects of the Russian Federation in course of the new coronavirus infection pandemic. Key points. In most subjects of the Russian Federation, the first half of 2021 enduring the COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed a higher overall mortality from digestive diseases and from peptic ulcer, liver and pancreatic illnesses compared to the same period in 2020. This situation may have roots in both the adverse impact of coronavirus infection on pre-existing digestive diseases and shortages in providing specialty medical aid to gastroenterological patients during the pandemic. Improved outpatient care and remote counselling, as well as successful educational measures, may reduce gastroenterological disease-associated mortality. Conclusion. Most regions of Russia have registered a growing mortality from digestive diseases at the new coronavirus infection pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 adverse impact on illness progression, as well as imposed difficulties in providing specialty medical aid. © 2021 The authors.