Combined multi-channel intraluminal impedance measurement and pHmetry in the detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Objective To assess the prevalence of GERD exclusively by means of multichannel intraluminal impedanciometry associated with pH monitoring (MIIpH) and compare it with respiratory symptoms in children with CF. To compare MIIpH with pHmetry alone to perform GERD diagnosis. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with children diagnosed with CF who underwent MIIpH. Clinical and laboratory markers, including respiratory and digestive symptoms, were used for comparative analyses. High-resolution chest computed tomography was performed on patients with symptoms of chronic lung disease. Severity was classified according to the Bhalla score. Results A total of 29 children < 10 yo (18 girls) were evaluated; 19 of whom with physiological GER and 10 with GERD. Of the children with GERD, seven had predominantly acid GER, two acid+non-acid GER, and one non-acid GER. Three patients had GERD diagnosed only by MIIpH. Bhalla scores ranged from seven to 17.75 with no significant relationship with GERD. The number of pulmonary exacerbations was associated with a decrease in esophageal clearance regardless of the position in pHmetry and MIIpH. Conclusions The prevalence of GERD was 34% in children with CF. There was no association between respiratory disease severity and GER types. MIIpH detected 30% more patients with GERD than pHmetry.

Endoscopic and histopathological assessment of individuals undergoing one anastomosis gastric bypass: a 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: There is much debate over the occurrence of biliary reflux to the gastric pouch after one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and its potential risks. OBJECTIVE: To assess endoscopic and histopathological findings following a standardized protocol of biopsy collection two years after OAGB. METHODS: A historical cohort study was conducted, based on a prospectively collected database, which involved 39 participants who underwent OAGB. Participants underwent clinical evaluation and esophagogastroduodenoscopy at the time of surgery and 24 months afterward. Post-operatively, biopsy specimens in esophagogastric junction, pouch, and anastomosis were systematically collected. RESULTS: 92.3% of the participants were female and the mean age was 37 ± 8.5 years. The mean body mass index (BMI) significantly decreased from 37.6 ± 5.7 kg/m2 to 27 ± 4.1 kg/m2 after 2 years (p < 0.001). The mean %TWL was 27.2 ± 10.5%. The prevalence of non-erosive gastritis significantly increased from 25.6 to 51.3% (p = 0.02). Erosive gastritis significantly decreased from 28.2 to 10.3% (p = 0.04). Four cases of marginal ulcers were identified (10.3%). The commonest histopathological finding was mild inflammation in 74.3% (esophagogastric junction), 58.9% (pouch), and 71.8% (anastomosis). There was one case of focal intestinal metaplasia in each site of interest and no cases of dysplasia or severe inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Using a standardized protocol of post-operative biopsy collection, low rates of severe endoscopic and histopathological abnormalities were observed two years after OAGB. Nevertheless, as most patients have histologically proven inflammation, bile in the gastric pouch, and endoscopic gastritis, long-term surveillance is essential because of the uncertain risk of these abnormalities.

Combined multi-channel intraluminal impedance measurement and pHmetry in the detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of GERD exclusively by means of multichannel intraluminal impedanciometry associated with pH monitoring (MIIpH) and compare it with respiratory symptoms in children with CF. To compare MIIpH with pHmetry alone to perform GERD diagnosis. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with children diagnosed with CF who underwent MIIpH. Clinical and laboratory markers, including respiratory and digestive symptoms, were used for comparative analyses. High-resolution chest computed tomography was performed on patients with symptoms of chronic lung disease. Severity was classified according to the Bhalla score. RESULTS: A total of 29 children < 10 yo (18 girls) were evaluated; 19 of whom with physiological GER and 10 with GERD. Of the children with GERD, seven had predominantly acid GER, two acid+non-acid GER, and one non-acid GER. Three patients had GERD diagnosed only by MIIpH. Bhalla scores ranged from seven to 17.75 with no significant relationship with GERD. The number of pulmonary exacerbations was associated with a decrease in esophageal clearance regardless of the position in pHmetry and MIIpH. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GERD was 34% in children with CF. There was no association between respiratory disease severity and GER types. MIIpH detected 30% more patients with GERD than pHmetry.

Visible intestinal peristalsis and chronic diarrhea due to a rare lymphoproliferative disease.

We present the case of a 45-year-old man with watery diarrhea for 2 years, leading to marked weight loss (52 kg). On admission, the patient presented with pallor, dehydration and cachexia. Abdominal examination revealed increased bowel sounds, painful and visible intestinal peristalsis, suggesting intestinal obstruction. There was no response to a gluten-free diet and nutritional support. Finally, the patient developed pulmonary infection, septic shock and died 3 months after admission. The diagnosis of CD4+/CD8+ indolent T-cell lymphoma of the GI tract was made post-mortem.

EFFICACY ANALYSIS OF ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR THE EARLY GASTRIC CANCER AND PRECANCEROUS LESIONS.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic treatment of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer has been widely accepted in recent years. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), following established indication criteria, can lead to cure of the disease in more than 90% of cases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the use of ESD in patients with early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, as well as the results of the procedure, its complications and effectiveness in controlling the disease. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study composed of 41 patients aged from 53 to 87 years (mean age: 65 years; 58.53% male) who were analyzed from 2008 to 2019. The variables collected from the medical records were: comorbidities, classification of the lesion regarding resection criteria, type of resection, histology, degree of invasion, resection margin, complications, disease recurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, the McNemar's test, and the Mann-Whitney test, with 5% statistical significance (P<0.05). RESULTS: The most frequent site of the lesion was the gastric antrum and the predominant presentation by the Japanese or Paris classification was the one with depressed components in 56.09%. Adenocarcinoma occurred in 75.6% of the biopsies, and the remainder were adenomas without neoplasia. En-bloc resection occurred in 97.57% of cases, and compromise of the safety margin occurred in one patient. The main pre-existing comorbidity was liver cirrhosis in 29.26% of cases. There was a significant increase in post- ESD adenocarcinoma compared to pre-resection diagnosis. The mean follow-up time was 38.4 months, with one recurrence (2.43%) and two metachronous lesions (4.87%). Complications during and after the procedure occurred in three patients (7.31%), being due to bleeding (two cases) and perforation (one case). There was one death due to a cardiac event not directly related to the procedure. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic submucosal dissection proved to be a safe procedure, with a low complication and recurrence rate. Its recommendation must occur within the established criteria; however, it can be indicated for patients outside the criteria, if there is a high risk for surgical treatment.

Análise de eficácia da dissecção endoscópica da submucosa para o câncer gástrico precoce e lesões pré-cancerosas / Efficacy analysis of endoscopic submucosal dissection for the early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions

ABSTRACT Background: Endoscopic treatment of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer has been widely accepted in recent years. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), following established indication criteria, can lead to cure of the disease in more than 90% of cases. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the use of ESD in patients with early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, as well as the results of the procedure, its complications and effectiveness in controlling the disease. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study composed of 41 patients aged from 53 to 87 years (mean age: 65 years; 58.53% male) who were analyzed from 2008 to 2019. The variables collected from the medical records were: comorbidities, classification of the lesion regarding resection criteria, type of resection, histology, degree of invasion, resection margin, complications, disease recurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, the McNemar's test, and the Mann-Whitney test, with 5% statistical significance (P<0.05). Results: The most frequent site of the lesion was the gastric antrum and the predominant presentation by the Japanese or Paris classification was the one with depressed components in 56.09%. Adenocarcinoma occurred in 75.6% of the biopsies, and the remainder were adenomas without neoplasia. En-bloc resection occurred in 97.57% of cases, and compromise of the safety margin occurred in one patient. The main pre-existing comorbidity was liver cirrhosis in 29.26% of cases. There was a significant increase in post- ESD adenocarcinoma compared to pre-resection diagnosis. The mean follow-up time was 38.4 months, with one recurrence (2.43%) and two metachronous lesions (4.87%). Complications during and after the procedure occurred in three patients (7.31%), being due to bleeding (two cases) and perforation (one case). There was one death due to a cardiac event not directly related to the procedure. Conclusion: Endoscopic submucosal dissection proved to be a safe procedure, with a low complication and recurrence rate. Its recommendation must occur within the established criteria; however, it can be indicated for patients outside the criteria, if there is a high risk for surgical treatment.

RESUMO Contexto: O tratamento endoscópico das lesões pré-cancerosas e do câncer gástrico precoce tem sido amplamente aceito nos últimos anos. A dissecção endoscópica da submucosa (submucosectomia), obedecendo a critérios estabelecidos de indicação, pode levar a cura da doença em mais de 90% dos casos. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o uso da dissecção submucosa endoscópica em pacientes com câncer gástrico precoce e lesões pré-cancerosas, bem como os resultados do procedimento, suas complicações e eficácia no controle da doença. Métodos: Foram analisados 41 pacientes, com idade variando de 53 a 87 anos (média de 65 anos), sendo 58,53% do sexo masculino, no período de 2008 a 2019, sendo este estudo do tipo coorte retrospectivo. As variáveis coletadas dos prontuários foram: comorbidades, classificação da lesão quanto aos critérios de ressecção, tipo de ressecção, histologia, grau de invasão, margem de resseção, complicações, recidiva de doença. A análise estatística foi feita com o uso do teste de Kruskal-Wallis, teste de McNemar e teste de Mann-Whitney, com significância estatística de 5% (P<0,05). Resultados: O local mais frequente da lesão foi o antro gástrico e a apresentação predominante pela classificação japonesa ou de Paris foram os com componentes deprimidos em 56,09%. O adenocarcinoma ocorreu em 75,6% das biópsias e o restante foram adenomas sem neoplasia. A ressecção em bloco ocorreu em 97,57% dos casos, e o comprometimento da margem de segurança ocorreu em um paciente. A principal comorbidade pré-existente foi a cirrose hepática em 29,26% dos casos. Houve um aumento significativo de adenocarcinoma após dissecção endoscópica da submucosa em comparação ao diagnóstico pré ressecção. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 38,4 meses, sendo registrado uma recidiva (2,43%) e duas lesões metacrônicas (4,87%). As complicações durante e após o procedimento ocorreram em 3 (7,31%) pacientes, sendo por sangramento (dois casos) e perfuração (um caso). Houve um óbito por evento cardiológico, não relacionado diretamente com o procedimento. Conclusão: A ressecção endoscópica da submucosa mostrou ser procedimento seguro, com baixa taxa de complicação e de recidiva. A sua indicação deve ser dentro dos critérios estabelecidos, entretanto, pode ser indicada em pacientes fora de critérios, se há alto risco para o tratamento cirúrgico.

Risk stratification in acute variceal bleeding: Far from an ideal score.

OBJECTIVES: Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) results from rupture of esophageal or gastric varices. It is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how to predict adverse outcomes and identify high-risk patients. In variceal hemorrhage, high Child-Turcotte-Pugh (Child) and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores are associated with a worse prognosis. The Rockall system (Rockall), Glasgow-Blatchford (Blatchford), and AIMS65 scores have been validated for risk stratification for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding; however, their use is controversial in AVB. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of Child, MELD, Rockall, Blatchford, and AIMS65 scores in risk stratification for rebleeding and/or mortality associated with AVB. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital over 42 months. The outcomes were 6-week rebleeding and mortality. The AUROC was calculated for each score (1-0.9, 0.9-0.8, and 0.8-0.7, indicating excellent, good, and acceptable predictive power, respectively). RESULTS: In total, 222 patients were included. Six-week rebleeding and mortality rates were 14% and 18.5%, respectively. No score was useful for discriminating patients at a higher risk of rebleeding. The AUROCs were 0.59, 0.57, 0.61, 0.63, and 0.56 for Rockall, Blatchford, AIMS65, Child, and MELD scores, respectively. Prediction of 6-week mortality based on Rockall (AUROC 0.65), Blatchford (AUROC=0.60), and AIMS65 (AUROC=0.67) scores were also not considered acceptable. The AUROCs for predicting mortality were acceptable for Child and MELD scores (0.72 and 0.74, respectively). CONCLUSION: Rockall, Blatchford, and AIMS65 scores are not useful for predicting 6-week rebleeding or mortality in patients with AVB. Child and MELD scores can identify patients at higher risk for 6-week mortality but not for 6-week rebleeding.

Risk stratification in acute variceal bleeding: Far from an ideal score

OBJECTIVES: Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) results from rupture of esophageal or gastric varices. It is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how to predict adverse outcomes and identify high-risk patients. In variceal hemorrhage, high Child-Turcotte-Pugh (Child) and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores are associated with a worse prognosis. The Rockall system (Rockall), Glasgow-Blatchford (Blatchford), and AIMS65 scores have been validated for risk stratification for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding; however, their use is controversial in AVB. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of Child, MELD, Rockall, Blatchford, and AIMS65 scores in risk stratification for rebleeding and/or mortality associated with AVB. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital over 42 months. The outcomes were 6-week rebleeding and mortality. The AUROC was calculated for each score (1-0.9, 0.9-0.8, and 0.8-0.7, indicating excellent, good, and acceptable predictive power, respectively). RESULTS: In total, 222 patients were included. Six-week rebleeding and mortality rates were 14% and 18.5%, respectively. No score was useful for discriminating patients at a higher risk of rebleeding. The AUROCs were 0.59, 0.57, 0.61, 0.63, and 0.56 for Rockall, Blatchford, AIMS65, Child, and MELD scores, respectively. Prediction of 6-week mortality based on Rockall (AUROC 0.65), Blatchford (AUROC=0.60), and AIMS65 (AUROC=0.67) scores were also not considered acceptable. The AUROCs for predicting mortality were acceptable for Child and MELD scores (0.72 and 0.74, respectively). CONCLUSION: Rockall, Blatchford, and AIMS65 scores are not useful for predicting 6-week rebleeding or mortality in patients with AVB. Child and MELD scores can identify patients at higher risk for 6-week mortality but not for 6-week rebleeding.

Hypoalbuminemia as a risk factor for thromboembolic events in inflammatory bowel disease inpatients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are chronic entities characterized by local and systemic inflammation and may be associated with thrombosis. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of thromboembolic events (TEE) in hospitalized IBD patients and identify risk factors for their occurrence. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study included patients treated at a Brazilian IBD referral unit between 2004 and 2014. Patients hospitalized for more than 48 hours due to active IBD and who did not receive prophylaxis for TEE during hospitalization were included. Patients were allocated to 2 groups: those with TEE up to 30 days or at the time of hospitalization (TEE-group) and patients without TEE (control-group). Clinical and laboratory characteristics were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 53 patients evaluated, 69,8% with Crohn's disease (CD) and 30.2% with ulcerative colitis (UC). The prevalence of TEE 30 days before or during hospitalization was 15.1%, with 10.8% in CD and 25% in UC. In the TEE group, mean serum albumin was 2.06 g/dL versus 3.30 g/dL in the control group. Patients with albumin levels below 2.95 g/dL (43.18%) had a higher risk of developing TEE (relative risk, 1.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.53) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Albumin levels were significantly lower in patients with TEE, and hypoalbuminemia was considered a risk factor for the development of TEE in this population.

Irritable bowel syndrome: associations between FODMAPS intake, problematic foods, adiposity, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

This study investigated the association between fermentable oligo-di-mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) intake, problematic foods, body adiposity, and gastrointestinal symptoms in 44 women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Around 84% reported to have excluded some food from their diet. Adiposity was not associated with the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms and IBS severity. Controlling for BMI, there were significant correlations between number of problematic foods versus waist circumference (r = 0.306; p = 0.049) and protein intake (r = -0.378; p = 0.014). The IBS severity correlated to the carbohydrate intake (r = -0.320; p = 0.039). Patients with diarrhea demonstrated statistical tendency to restrict the intake of fat (p = 0.058), free fructose (p = 0.07), and oligosaccharides (p = 0.051). Patients with mucus in the stool had higher lactose intake (p = 0.025). The number of food considered problematic was higher for patients who reported stomach burning (p = 0.0001). Associations among adiposity, gastrointestinal symptoms, problematic food, and FODMAPs were identified and reaffirm the role of individualized nutritional treatment in the management of IBS.

Localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis presenting with protein-losing enteropathy and massive hemorrhage

Amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract is usually a systemic disease. Localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis without evidence of extraintestinal involvement or an associated plasma cell dyscrasia is uncommon and does not usually cause death. We report a case of a patient with localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis who presented with protein-losing enteropathy and a fatal upper gastrointestinal bleed (AU)

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Localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis presenting with protein-losing enteropathy and massive hemorrhage.

Amyloidosis of the gastrointestinal tract is usually a systemic disease. Localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis without evidence of extraintestinal involvement or an associated plasma cell dyscrasia is uncommon and does not usually cause death. We report a case of a patient with localized gastrointestinal amyloidosis who presented with protein-losing enteropathy and a fatal upper gastrointestinal bleed.

Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes: Clinical and psychological features, body mass index and comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes according to bowel habit. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there are differences in clinical features, comorbidities, anxiety, depression and body mass index (BMI) among IBS subtypes. METHODS: The study group included 113 consecutive patients (mean age: 48 ± 11 years; females: 94) with the diagnosis of IBS. All of them answered a structured questionnaire for demographic and clinical data and underwent upper endoscopy. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). RESULTS: The distribution of subtypes was: IBS-diarrhea (IBS-D), 46%; IBS-constipation (IBS-C), 32%, and mixed IBS (IBS-M), 22%. IBS overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia, chronic headache and fibromyalgia occurred in 65.5%, 48.7%, 40.7% and 22.1% of patients, respectively. Anxiety and/or depression were found in 81.5%. Comparisons among subgroups showed that bloating was significantly associated with IBS-M compared to IBS-D (odds ratio-OR-5.6). Straining was more likely to be reported by IBS-M (OR 15.3) and IBS-C (OR 12.0) compared to IBS-D patients, while urgency was associated with both IBS-M (OR 19.7) and IBS-D (OR 14.2) compared to IBS-C. In addition, IBS-M patients were more likely to present GERD than IBS-D (OR 6.7) and higher scores for anxiety than IBS-C patients (OR 1.2). BMI values did not differ between IBS-D and IBS-C. CONCLUSION: IBS-M is characterized by symptoms frequently reported by both IBS-C (straining) and IBS-D (urgency), higher levels of anxiety, and high prevalence of comorbidities. These features should be considered in the clinical management of this subgroup.

Irritable bowel syndrome subtypes: clinical and psychological features, body mass index and comorbidities

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes according to bowel habit. Objective: To investigate whether there are differences in clinical features, comorbidities, anxiety, depression and body mass index (BMI) among IBS subtypes. Methods: The study group included 113 consecutive patients (mean age: 48 ± 11 years; females: 94) with the diagnosis of IBS. All of them answered a structured questionnaire for demographic and clinical data and underwent upper endoscopy. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). Results: The distribution of subtypes was: IBS-diarrhea (IBS-D), 46%; IBS-constipation (IBS-C), 32%, and mixed IBS (IBS-M), 22%. IBS overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia, chronic headache and fibromyalgia occurred in 65.5%, 48.7%, 40.7% and 22.1% of patients, respectively. Anxiety and/or depression were found in 81.5%. Comparisons among subgroups showed that bloating was significantly associated with IBS-M compared to IBS-D (odds ratio-OR-5.6). Straining was more likely to be reported by IBS-M (OR 15.3) and IBS-C (OR 12.0) compared to IBS-D patients, while urgency was associated with both IBS-M (OR 19.7) and IBS-D (OR 14.2) compared to IBS-C. In addition, IBS-M patients were more likely to present GERD than IBS-D (OR 6.7) and higher scores for anxiety than IBS-C patients (OR 1.2). BMI values did not differ between IBS-D and IBS-C. Conclusion: IBS-M is characterized by symptoms frequently reported by both IBS-C (straining) and IBS-D (urgency), higher levels of anxiety, and high prevalence of comorbidities. These features should be considered in the clinical management of this subgroup (AU)

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Gastrointestinal involvement in lipoid proteinosis: a ten-year follow-up of a brazilian female patient.

Lipoid proteinosis is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by the deposition of hyaline material in the skin and internal organs. The main clinical features are hoarseness and typical skin lesions. In this report we describe the endoscopic and radiologic findings in a Brazilian female patient presenting extensive gastrointestinal involvement and the evolution of the detected lesions in ten years of follow-up. Initial upper endoscopy and colonoscopy showed a similar pattern of multiple yellowish nodules throughout the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and colons. Histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lipoid proteinosis. In addition, small bowel follow through demonstrated numerous well defined, round, small filling defects throughout the jejunum. Ten years later, the esophageal lesions remained the same, but none of the previous alterations were detected in the stomach, duodenum, and colons. In conclusion, lipoid proteinosis may affect all gastrointestinal organs with the same pattern of macroscopic and microscopic lesions. Some lesions may regress with increasing age.

Performance of the Rockall scoring system in predicting the need for intervention and outcomes in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in a Brazilian setting: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This prospective study investigated the performance of pre-endoscopy and the complete Rockall scores in predicting the occurrence of adverse outcomes and the need for endoscopic or surgical intervention in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: All 656 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopy due to nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding between 2007 and 2011 were included. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for the outcomes of therapeutic intervention, rebleeding and death. The discriminative accuracy of the risk scores was assessed by the area under the ROC curve. RESULTS: Endoscopic treatment was performed in 55.2% of the patients. Rebleeding and mortality rates were 7.6 and 3.8%, respectively. The pre-endoscopy Rockall scores showed unsatisfactory accuracy in predicting the need for intervention, rebleeding or death, as shown by the respective area under the ROC curve values of 0.52, 0.52 and 0.65. The accuracy of the complete Rockall score in predicting rebleeding was poor (area under ROC: 0.52), but it was higher for mortality (area under ROC: 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: The pre-endoscopy Rockall score was not useful for predicting the need for therapeutic intervention or adverse outcomes. The complete Rockall score showed an acceptable performance in predicting mortality, but was unable to predict rebleeding.

Helicobacter pylori infection and the severity of gastritis are not associated with iron deficiency in a group of Brazilian patients.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been associated with iron deficiency anemia. However, results reported in the literature are contradictory. The goal of the present study was to study the possible association between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency in a sample of adults. METHODS: One hundred and fifty individuals were studied (H. pylori-positive n=75; H. pylori-negative n=50). The presence of anemia was determined using red cell indices and reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr). Iron status was assessed based on serum iron and ferritin levels. Possible involvement of inflammatory activity in erythropoiesis was investigated by measuring the correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and red cell indices and iron status. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the hematological or biochemical parameters for the two groups. Iron deficiency was diagnosed in six individuals, but no difference in prevalence was found between the H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative groups. A weak but significant inverse correlation was observed between CRP and CHr concentrations and between serum gastrin and CHr in the H. pylori-positive group. These results suggest a reduction in iron availability for reticulocyte hemoglobinization, but insufficient to cause anemia. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection was not a determining factor for development of iron deficiency in our study population.