Eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms refractory to proton pump inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: TREATMEN The contribution of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) to refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unknown. When EoE and GERD overlap, the clinical, endoscopic and histological findings are nonspecific and cannot be used to distinguish between the two disorders. Limited data are available on this topic, and the interaction between EoE and GERD is a matter of debate. AIM: We have conducted a prospective study of adult patients with refractory GERD to evaluate the overlap of reflux and EoE. METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2008, we consecutively and prospectively enrolled 130 male and female patients aged 18 to 70 years old who experienced persistent heartburn and/or regurgitation more than twice a week over the last 30 days while undergoing at least six consecutive weeks of omeprazole treatment (at least 40 mg once a day). The patients underwent an upper digestive endoscopy with esophageal biopsy, and intraepithelial eosinophils were counted after hematoxylin/eosin staining. The diagnosis of EoE was based on the presence of 20 or more eosinophils per high-power field (eo/HPF) in esophageal biopsies. RESULTS: Among the 103 studied patients, 79 (76.7%) were females. The patients had a mean age of 45.5 years and a median age of 47 years. Endoscopy was normal in 83.5% of patients, and erosive esophagitis was found in 12.6%. Only one patient presented lesions suggestive of EoE. Histological examination revealed >20 eo/HPF in this patient. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a low prevalence of EoE among patients with refractory GERD undergoing omeprazole treatment.

Avaliação de refluxo ultra-distal com pHmetria de múltiplos canais / Ultra-distal reflux evaluation with multiple channel pHmonitoring

RACIONAL: Displasia e adenocarcinoma esofágico surge em pacientes com esôfago de Barrett submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico (fundoplicatura) com pHmetria esofágica sem evidência de acidez, o que sugere existir refluxo distal ao cateter de pHmetria convencional. OBJETIVO: Desenvolver metodologia para avaliar refluxo ultra-distal (1 cm acima da borda superior de esfíncter inferior do esôfago). MÉTODO: Foram selecionados 11 pacientes com esôfago de Barrett previamente submetidos à fundoplicatura à Nissen, sem sintomas de refluxo, com endoscopia e estudo contrastado de esôfago sem sinais de recidiva. Foi realizada manometria esofágica para avaliar a localização e a extensão do esfíncter esofágico inferior (EIE). Realizou-se então pHmetria esofágica com quatro canais: canal A a 5 cm acima da borda superior do EIE; canal B a 1 cm acima; canal C intraesfincteriano; canal D intragástrico. Avaliou-se o escore de DeMeester no canal A. Comparou-se o número de episódios de refluxo ácido, o número de episódios de refluxo prolongado e a fração de tempo com pH<4,0 nos canais A e B. Comparou-se a fração de tempo de pH<4,0 nos canais B e C. A fração de tempo com pH<4,0 acima de 50 por cento no canal D foi usada como parâmetro para não migração proximal do cateter. RESULTADOS: Houve aumento significativo do número de episódios de refluxo e da fração de tempo com pH<4,0 no canal B em relação ao canal A. Houve redução do tempo de pH<4,0 no canal B em comparação ao canal C. Dois casos de adenocarcinoma esofágico foram diagnosticados nos pacientes do grupo estudado. CONCLUSÕES: A região 1 cm acima da borda superior do EIE está mais exposta à acidez do que a região 5 cm acima, embora em níveis reduzidos. A região 1 cm acima da borda superior do EIE está menos exposta à acidez do que a região intraesfincteriana, demonstrando eficácia da fundoplicatura.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal adenocarcinoma and dysplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus are seen after surgical treatment of GERD (fundoplication).Esophageal pH monitoring shows no evidence of acidity, suggesting distal reflux to the conventional catheter positioning. AIM: To develop methodology for assessing ultra-distal reflux (1 cm above the top edge of the lower esophageal sphincter). METHOD: Were selected 11 patients with Barrett's esophagus previously submitted to Nissen fundoplication, without reflux symptoms and with endoscopy and contrasted study of esophagus without signs of relapse. Esophageal manometry was used to evaluate the location and length of the lower sphincter of the esophagus (LES). After that, esophageal pH monitoring with four channels was done: channel A at 5 cm above the top edge of the LES; channel B at 1 cm above; channel C, intra-sphincteric; channel D, intragastric. The DeMeester score was assessed on channel A. The number of episodes of acid reflux, the number of episodes of prolonged reflux and fraction of time pH<4.0 were compared on channels A and B. The fraction of time pH<4.0 was compared on channels B and C. The fraction of time with pH<4.0 above 50 percent on channel D was used as parameter of no proximal migration of the catheter. RESULTS: Significant increase in the number of reflux episodes and fraction of time pH<4.0 in channel B in relation to channel A. Reduced fraction of time pH<4.0 in channel B compared to channel C was seen. Two cases of esophageal adenocarcinoma were diagnosed in the group. CONCLUSIONS: The zone 1 cm above the top edge of the LES is more exposed to acidity than the one 5 cm above, although at reduced levels. The region 1 cm above the top edge of the LES is less exposed to acidity than the intrasphincteric zone, demonstrating efficacy of fundoplication.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms refractory to proton pump inhibitor

BACKGROUND: TREATMEN The contribution of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) to refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unknown. When EoE and GERD overlap, the clinical, endoscopic and histological findings are nonspecific and cannot be used to distinguish between the two disorders. Limited data are available on this topic, and the interaction between EoE and GERD is a matter of debate. AIM: We have conducted a prospective study of adult patients with refractory GERD to evaluate the overlap of reflux and EoE. METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2008, we consecutively and prospectively enrolled 130 male and female patients aged 18 to 70 years old who experienced persistent heartburn and/or regurgitation more than twice a week over the last 30 days while undergoing at least six consecutive weeks of omeprazole treatment (at least 40 mg once a day). The patients underwent an upper digestive endoscopy with esophageal biopsy, and intraepithelial eosinophils were counted after hematoxylin/eosin staining. The diagnosis of EoE was based on the presence of 20 or more eosinophils per high-power field (eo/HPF) in esophageal biopsies. RESULTS: Among the 103 studied patients, 79 (76.7 percent) were females. The patients had a mean age of 45.5 years and a median age of 47 years. Endoscopy was normal in 83.5 percent of patients, and erosive esophagitis was found in 12.6 percent. Only one patient presented lesions suggestive of EoE. Histological examination revealed >20 eo/HPF in this patient. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a low prevalence of EoE among patients with refractory GERD undergoing omeprazole treatment.

Predictive factors for local recurrence and incomplete resection of early gastric cancer treated by endoscopic resection: a Western experience.

BACKGROUND: Early gastric cancer (EGC) is defined as adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosa or submucosa regardless of lymph node involvement. Local EGC recurrence rates have been described in up to 6% of cases. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate predictive factors for incomplete resection and local recurrence of EGC treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) that was followed up for at least one year. METHODS: From June 1994 to December 2005, 46 patients with EGC underwent EMR. Possible predictive factors for incomplete endoscopic resection and local recurrence were identified by medical chart analysis. Demographic, endoscopic and histopathological data were retrospectively evaluated. EMR was considered complete or incomplete. Patients from the complete resection group were divided into subgroups (with and without local EGC recurrence). RESULTS: Complete resection was possible in 36 cases (76.6%). Predictive factors for incomplete resection were tumour location (P=0.035), histological type (P=0.021), lesion size (P=0.022) and number of resected fragments (P=0.013). On multivariate analysis, undifferentiated histological type (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.036 to 0.897) and number of resected fragments (OR 7.34; 95% CI 1.266 to 42.629) were independent predictive factors for incomplete resection. In the complete resection group, a larger lesion size was associated with a higher the number of resected fragments (P=0.018). Local recurrence occurred in nine cases (25%). Use of the cap technique was the only predictive factor for local recurrence in five of seven cases (71.4%) (P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: A larger lesion size was associated with a higher number of resected fragments. Undifferentiated adenocarcinoma and piecemeal resection were predictive factors for incomplete resection. Technique type was a predictive factor for local EGC recurrence.

Associaçäo entre poluiçäo atmosferica e internacoes pediatricas por causas respiratorias na cidade de Säo Paulo / Atmospherical pollution associated to pediatric internation by respiratory causes in Säo Paulo city

Com o intuito de avaliar os possiveis efeitos da poluiçäo sobre a saúde, este estudo investiga a associaçäo entre poluiçäo atmosférica e internaçöes de crianças menores que 5 anos na cidade de Säo Paulo para o periodo de outubro de 1992 a outubro de 1993. Dados referentes as internaçöes foram obtidos junto a Secretaria de Saúde do Estado, atraves do acesso as autorizaçöes de internaçöes hospitalares (AIH). Foram fornecidos pela Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental (CETESB) informaçöes acerca das concentraçöes diarias de diversos poluentes (PM10, NO2, CO, SO e Ozonio) e também medidas de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar. A analise estatistica foi realizada por tecnicas de regressäo linear multipla. Ao final do estudo foi encontrada uma associaçäo robusta entre o aumento do numero de internaçöes e as concentraçöes de PM10, CO e Ozonio...