A nested case-control study on dietary fat consumption and the risk for gallstone disease.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease (GD) incidence and prevalence rates differ between populations. Diet and lifestyle may be involved in GD development. To our knowledge, no study to date has evaluated quantitative data on diet when studying the relationship between fat consumption levels and GD in an Argentinean population. The present study aimed to assess the association between dietary fat intake and GD. METHODS: A nested case-control study design was applied. Data were taken from subjects who participated in a previous cross-sectional study carried out in a random sample of asymptomatic people in Rosario, Argentina. Participants underwent a personal interview, and current weight and height, ancestor's ethnicity, and socio-economic status were recorded. Applying a food-frequency questionnaire and a food photography atlas, quantitative dietary data were estimated by combining the intake frequency, portion size and food composition. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted by age, sex, ancestor's ethnicity, body mass index and daily total energy intake as potential confounders. RESULTS: In total, 114 patients were studied (49 cases and 65 controls), without any statistically significant differences for age, sex, socio-economic status, body mass index and ancestry. The mean energy intake was higher in cases than in controls, and significant differences were found for dietary fat consumption. Obese or overweight people have a higher GD risk than subjects with normal weight. Increased GD risks were associated with high intakes of energy, total fat, and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, total fat, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids high intakes are associated with increased GD risk.

Morphological and demographic associations of biliary symptoms in subjects with gallstones: findings from a population-based survey in Rosario, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease is a frequently encountered disorder in subjects living in Rosario. The reasons for the presence or absence of symptoms are unknown. AIMS: To determine associations between biliary symptoms and ultrasonographic features of gallbladder and gallstones. SUBJECTS: A random study was conducted on 1,173 subjects, inhabitants of 20 years and older, in the city of Rosario, Argentina. METHODS: High-resolution abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed. Biliary pain was defined based on previously published definitions. RESULTS: Gallstones were found in 149 subjects (101 female, 48 male) of whom 51% of females and 35% of males with cholelithiasis were symptomatic. Mean age was 53 years in symptomatic and 55 in asymptomatic subjects. Gallbladder size was normal in 97% of symptomatic and in 96% of the asymptomatic participants. There were no significant differences between the groups as far as concerns size and gallstone number. Impacted stones were observed in 10% of symptomatic and in none of the asymptomatic subjects (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects' age and gender, gallstones size and number, as well as ultrasonographic features of gallbladder and biliary tract did not differ significantly between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. Only impacted stones were significantly more frequent in symptomatic subjects.

Epidemiology of gallstone disease in Argentina: prevalences in the general population and European descendants.

To assess gallstone disease prevalence in Argentina, a random sample of the Rosario City population was studied, considering already known associated factors, and analyzing ethnic groups living in the city. A total of 1,173 participants (69% response), both sexes, 20 years and older were studied. Each subject underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination, a blood test, and a standardized questionnaire. It was seen that gallstone disease prevalence (gallstones or cholecystectomy), overall was 20.5% (23.8% in women and 15.5% in men; (P = 0.0005), and was associated with age and body mass index in both sexes, and with pregnancy number and hypertriglyceridemia in women. As regards ancestors' nationalities, Italian and Spanish descendants presented higher prevalence rates for all age groups than those described in Italy and Spain. Thus far, in a subsample of 78% of nonparticipants submitted to a new home visit, presence of cholecystectomy or symptoms did not differ from participants, supporting the validity of our results.

Lesión esofágica por drogas / Esophageal lesion by drugs

Se presentan dos casos de daño esofágico producido por drogas de prescripción habitual en la práctica médica. Se realiza una revisión de las diversas drogas asociadas a lesiones esofágicas describiendo los factores predisponentes, la sintomatología, los hallazgos semiológicos, la fisiopatogenia, los exámenes complementarios, las complicaciones, la evolución y las medidas que deben adoptarse para prevenir esta patología

Lesión esofágica por drogas / Esophageal lesion by drugs

Se presentan dos casos de daño esofágico producido por drogas de prescripción habitual en la práctica médica. Se realiza una revisión de las diversas drogas asociadas a lesiones esofágicas describiendo los factores predisponentes, la sintomatología, los hallazgos semiológicos, la fisiopatogenia, los exámenes complementarios, las complicaciones, la evolución y las medidas que deben adoptarse para prevenir esta patología (AU)

[Esophageal lesion caused by drugs]. / Lesión esofágica por drogas.

Two cases of esophageal injury secondary to drugs are hereby presented, reviewing the different types of drugs, predisposing factors, physiopathology and complications.

Lesión esofágica por drogas. / [Esophageal lesion caused by drugs]

Two cases of esophageal injury secondary to drugs are hereby presented, reviewing the different types of drugs, predisposing factors, physiopathology and complications.

Genetic conditioning of the response of rat bone tissue to estradiol.

The effects of the administration of pharmacological doses of estradiol were studied in two genetically different lines of inbred rats, at two stages of development, to gain a new insight into the genetic and physiological organization of the response of bone and Ca metabolism to exogenous estrogens. The comparative analysis of the effects on bone tissue revealed that the pattern of cellular activities at bone surfaces, the increased trabecular bone volume and the increased calcium accretion are separate responses. Likewise, the closure of the epiphyseal plate may not be associated with the curtailment of body weight increase. In addition, only one of the lines increased its intestinal calcium absorption. It appears evident that the response to exogenous estradiol relies upon the action of more than one locus. The simultaneous occurrence of partial responses (successful treatment) depends upon as yet undefined genetic and environmental (endocrine, nutritional, etc.) conditions. Extension of these conclusions to the human being implicates the recognition that a fraction of the patients undergoing estrogenic treatment may be insensitive to therapy.

Non uniform effect of estradiol on the rat skeleton.

Pharmacological doses of estradiol administered to rats increased the Ca mass of their femurs through a significant reduction in the rate of Ca resorption. On a body basis, the same animals showed increased rates of skeletal Ca deposition and resorption and no effect on the skeletal mass. The non uniform effect of estradiol on the skeleton, if confirmed in the human being, may limit the applicability of estrogenic treatment.