Serum Albumin Concentrations Predict hypovolaemia Caused by Polyethylene Glycol Plus Ascorbic Acid Prior to Colonoscopy in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have confirmed the safety of polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid for healthy middle-aged adults but not for the elderly. The osmotic pressure of polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid is approximately twice that of plasma osmolality and may cause dehydration. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we determined whether dehydration was induced in elderly patients by polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid, and we analysed the data obtained in order to identify predictors of dehydration. METHODS: This was a prospective, uncontrolled, before-and-after intervention study. All patients older than 65 years who underwent colonoscopies at the Moji Medical Center were administered polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid prior to colonoscopy. Clinical variables before and after bowel preparation were measured and analysed statistically. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of dehydration due to this procedure. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were assessed for eligibility, and 74 clinical variables were ultimately analysed. A significant increase in the red blood cell count (4.10 versus 4.25 × 10(6)/mm(3)), haemoglobin level (12.4 versus 13.0 g/dL) and haematocrit (38.1% versus 39.4%) suggested the presence of hypovolaemia after the procedure (P < 0.001). The serum concentration of albumin before bowel preparation was identified as the only significant predictor of hypovolaemia (ß = 0.47, P = 0.0001, adjusted R (2) = 0.22). CONCLUSION: The serum concentration of albumin before bowel preparation predicted hypovolaemia caused by polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid in elderly patients. Therefore, care is needed in order to prevent hypovolaemia, especially in elderly patients with hypoalbuminaemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: No. 000015724 (University Hospital Medical Information Network Center).

Autoimmune pancreatitis with IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration in salivary glands and biliary tract.

A 62-year-old male was referred to our hospital because of liver dysfunction, diffuse pancreatic swelling, and trachelophyma. At admission, the patient was free of pain. Physical examination showed enlarged and palpable bilateral submandibular masses, but no palpable mass or organomegaly in the abdomen. Laboratory findings were as follows: total protein 90 g/L with gamma-globulin of 37.3% (33 g/L), total bilirubin 4 mg/L, aspartate aminotransferase 39 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 67 IU/L, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase 1 647 IU/L, and amylase 135 IU/L. Autoantibodies were negative, and tumor markers were within the normal range. Serum IgG4 level was markedly elevated (18 900 mg/L). Computed tomography (CT) showed diffuse swelling of the pancreas and dilatation of both common and intra-hepatic bile ducts. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) revealed diffuse irregular and narrow main pancreatic duct and stenosis of the lower common bile duct. Biopsy specimens from the pancreas, salivary gland and liver showed marked periductal IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration with fibrosis. We considered this patient to be autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) with fibrosclerosis of the salivary gland and biliary tract, prescribed prednisolone at an initial dose of 40 mg/d. Three months later, the laboratory data improved almost to normal. Abdominal CT reflected prominent improvement in the pancreatic lesion. Swelling of the salivary gland also improved. At present, the patient is on 10 mg/d of prednisolone without recurrence of the pancreatitis. We present here a case of AIP with fibrosclerosis of salivary gland and biliary tract.