Evaluation of the Usefulness of Virtual Chromoendoscopy with Different Color Modes in the MiroCam® System for Characterization of Small Bowel Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Virtual chromoendoscopy (VC) in small bowel capsule endoscopy can improve the visualization and characterization of different small bowel lesions (SBLs). There are few studies of its usefulness in the Given® system, and there is no evidence yet of its utility in the MiroCam® system. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether VC can improve the characterization of SBLs with the MiroCam® system. METHODS: Twenty-two patients were selected, in which 100 elementary lesions were identified, including erosions (n = 45), ulcers (n = 17), and angioectasias (n = 38). For each lesion identified, images were captured without chromoendoscopy (normal image [NI]) and with chromoendoscopy modes 1 (color mode [CM] 1), 2 (CM2), and 3 (CM3). A score from 1 to 4 was assigned to each image, in which a better evaluation of the characteristics and limits of the lesion was classified in ascending order, where 1 is the worst and 4 the best evaluation. The scores of the various modes were compared with Kendall's tau-c coefficient. RESULTS: The average scores attributed to the photographs in NI, CM1, CM2, and CM3 were 3.83, 2.89, 1.85, and 1.43, respectively (tau-c = -0.75, p < 0.001). Evaluating the elementary lesions independently, the average scores for modes NI, CM1, CM2, and CM3 were 3.83, 2.92, 1.86, and 1.38 (tau-c = -0.77, p < 0.001) for erosions, respectively; 3.87, 2.96, 1.76, and 1.40 (tau-c = -0.80, p < 0.001) for ulcers, respectively; and 3.81, 2.82, 1.87, and 1.50 (tau-c = -0.71, p < 0.001) for angioectasias, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: VC using the CMs available in the MiroCam® system has not proven useful for a better assessment of any of the SBLs.

INTRODUÇÃO: A cromoendoscopia virtual na capsula endoscópica (CE) tem como principal intuito melhorar a visualização e caracterização de diferentes lesões do intestino delgado. Existem poucos estudos da sua utilidade no sistema Given®, não existindo contudo evidência da sua utilidade no sistema MiroCam®. Objetivos: Avaliar a utilidade da cromoendoscopia virtual na caracterização de lesões elementares do intestino delgado no sistema MiroCam®. MÉTODOS: Avaliados 22 doentes, nos quais foram identificadas 100 lesões elementares, nomeadamente erosões (n: 45), úlceras (n: 17) e angiectasias (n: 38). Para cada lesão identificada, foram captadas imagens sem cromoendoscopia (imagem normal), e com cromoendoscopia nos modos 1 (color mode 1), 2 (color mode 2) e 3 (color mode 3). Atribuída a cada imagem uma pontuação de 1 a 4, na qual uma melhor avaliação das características e limites da lesão se encontra classificada de forma crescente, sendo que 1 corresponde à pior e o 4 à melhor avaliação. As pontuações dos vários modos foram comparadas pelo coeficiente de correlação de Kendall tau-c. RESULTADOS: A pontuação média atribuida às fotografias nos modos imagem normal (NI), color mode 1 (CM1), color mode 2 (CM2) e color mode 3 (CM3) foi respectivamente 3.83, 2.89, 1.85 e 1.43 (tau-c = −0.75, p < 0.001). Avaliando as lesões elementares independentemente, os scores médios para os modos NI, CM1,CM2 e CM3 foram: 3.83, 2.92, 1.86, 1.38 (tau-c = −0.77, p < 0.001) para erosões; 3.87, 2.96, 1.76, 1.40 (tau-c = −0.80, p < 0.001) para úlceras; 3.81, 2.82, 1.87, 1.50 (tau-c = −0.71, p < 0.001) para angiectasias. CONCLUSÕES: A cromoendoscopia virtual não se revelou útil para uma melhor avaliação de qualquer uma das lesões elementares.

Intragastric Balloon for Obesity Treatment: Safety, Tolerance, and Efficacy.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an increasing worldwide problem associated with a vast number of comorbidities. Decreasing body weight by only 5-10% has been shown to slow and even prevent the onset of obesity-related comorbidities. Between pharmacological therapy and bariatric surgery a great variety of endoscopic techniques are available, the most common being intragastric balloon (IGB). The purpose of this study was to assess the safety, tolerance, and kinetics of IGBs in weight loss. The kinetics of weight loss were evaluated in 2 different contexts and phases: after the IGB's removal and after follow-up that varied between 6 and 12 months. Successful weight loss was defined as ≥10% weight loss after 6-12 months. METHODS: The study included 51 patients who had undergone Orbera® IGB placement between September 2014 and February 2016. Inclusion criteria were age between 18 and 65 years; body mass index (BMI) 28-35 with severe obesity-related disorders; or BMI 35-40. The IGB was removed 6 months later. All patients were followed for a minimum period of 6-12 months. RESULTS: Of 51 patients, 16 were excluded (7 due to intolerance) and 35 patients entered the study, of which 83% were followed for more than 6-12 months. The average weight loss (WL) and % excess WL (%EWL) after 6 months of treatment were 11.94 kg and 42.16%, respectively. At 6-12 months, after removal of the IGB, the mean WL was 8.25 kg and %EWL was 30.27%. Nineteen patients attained a WL of ≥10% the baseline value at IGB removal and 12 maintained their weight below this threshold during the 6-12 following months. CONCLUSIONS: After temporary IGB implantation in overweight or obese individuals, a WL that was ≥10% of weight at baseline was achieved in 54.3% and sustained at 6-12 months in 41.4% of participants. IGBs are an attractive intermediate option between diet and exercise programs and bariatric surgery. In general, IGB placement is a safe and well-tolerated procedure.

INTRODUÇÃO: A obesidade, problema crescente, está associada a um grande número de comorbilidades. A redução do peso corporal em apenas 5­10% mostrou-se eficaz na melhoria e até na prevenção do aparecimento de comorbilidades relacionadas com a obesidade. Entre a terapia farmacológica e a cirurgia bariátrica, temos disponiveis uma grande variedade de técnicas endoscópicas, sendo a mais comum a colocação de balão intragástrico (BIG). O objectivo do estudo foi avaliar a segurança, tolerância e cinética da perda de peso do BIG. A cinética da perda de peso foi avaliada em dois momentos e contextos distintos: após a remoção do balão e depois do periódo de follow-up (PFU), que variou entre 6­12 meses. Eficácia definida como perda de peso 10% após PFU de 6­12 meses. MÉTODOS: O estudo incluiu 51 pacientes que colocaram Orbera® BIG entre setembro de 2014 e fevereiro de 2016. Os critérios de inclusão foram: idade entre 18­65 anos, IMC 28­35 com comorbilidades relacionadas com obesidade e IMC 35­40. O BIG foi removido passados 6 meses. Todos os doentes foram acompanhados por um período minino de 6­12 meses (PFU). RESULTADOS: Dos 51 doentes considerados, 16 foram excluidos (7 por intolerancia) e 35 entraram no estudo, dos quais 83% foram seguidos durante PFU. A perda de peso média (PPM) e % de excesso de peso perdido (EPP) na altura de remoção do BIG foi de 11.94 kg e 42.16%, respetivamente; após PFU, a PPM foi de 8.25 kg e o EPP foi 30.27%. Dezanove alcançaram uma perda de peso na altura de remoção de BIG e 12 mantiveram o seu peso abaixo deste limiar após o PFU. CONCLUSÕES: Após a colocação temporaria do BIG em pacientes com excesso de peso ou obesidade, foi alcançado uma perda de peso superior a 10 em 54.3% na altura de remoção do BIG e sustentada após periodo de follow-up de 6­12 meses em 41.4% dos doentes. Os BIG são uma alternativa intermédia atractiva entre dieta/exercicio fisico e cirurgia bariátrica. Em geral é um procedimento seguro e bem tolerado.

A case of a mixed adenoneuroendocrine tumor of the colon

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Sexual dysfunction in women with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction in women with Parkinson's disease is poorly understood and research in this area is scarce. The objectives of this study were sexual function characterization in female Parkinson's disease patients, description of sexual dysfunctions, correlation with disease characteristics, and comparison with matched healthy controls. METHODS: Social and demographic data from consecutive female patients with Parkinson's disease and matched healthy controls were collected. The following instruments were used: UPDRS, the Hoehn and Yahr scale, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Female Sexual Function Index, and the Sexual Dysfunction Inventory. The only exclusion criterion was cognitive deterioration precluding comprehension of the study scope and its instruments. RESULTS: Of the 95 patients identified, 61 were included. Mean age was 66 years (range 40-89 years), and mean disease duration was seven years (range 1-18 years). Twenty-nine presented an akinetic-rigid syndrome, 25 tremoric disease, and, the remaining, a mixed type of disease. Mean "on" total/part III UPDRS scores were 46 ± 15.0 and 31 ± 8.9. Sexual dysfunction was present in 86.9% of patients and 79.0% of controls, according to the Female Sexual Function Index (p < .01), and in 57.4% of patients and 22.6% of controls, according to the Sexual Dysfunction Inventory (p < .001). Multivariate binary logistic regression identified age and depressive symptoms as positive predictors in the severity of sexual dysfunction. Disease duration, UPDRS part III score, Hoehn and Yahr stage, and antiparkinsonian medication did not show significant predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in women with Parkinson's disease than in controls and is predicted by older age and severity of depressive symptoms. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.