A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of medical treatments for the management of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a benign, poorly understood disorder that is difficult to manage. Medical interventions such as sucralfate, sulfasalzine, human fibrin, and a high fibre diet are reported as the first line of treatment. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of medical treatments for SRUS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase were searched for randomised clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies that evaluated medical treatments for SRUS. Two authors independently performed selection of eligible studies based on eligiblity criteria. Data extraction from potentially eligible studies was carried out according to predefined data collection methods. Medical treatments, including sucralfate, sulfasalzine, human fibrin, a high fibre diet, and psyllium powder as a single or combination therapy were compared to placebo alone or combined with other treatments. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with ulcer remission; this was presented as pooled prevalence (PP) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The I2 value and Q statistic test were used to test for heterogeneity. In the presence of heterogeneity, a random-effects model was applied. RESULTS: A total of 9 studies with 216 patients (males = 118, females = 98) diagnosed with SRUS were analysed in the final meta-analysis. The pooled effect estimate of treatment efficacy revealed that, of the patients receiving medical treatment, 57% had resolution of their ulcers (PP 0.57; 95% CI; 0.41 to 0.73). Statistically significant heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 63%; τ2 = 0.64, P= <0.01). The scarcity of RCTs comparing medical treatments with other interventions was a major limitation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients receiving medical treatment for the management of SRUS experience resolution of their ulcers.

Lesiones esofágicas medicamentosas / Drug-induced esophageal lesions

Las lesiones agudas erosivas o ulceraciones del esófago provocadas por medicamentos, son poco frecuentes pero no excepcionales. Sus principales causantes son algunos antibióticos y el cloruro de potasio. En su fisiopatología intervienen la naturaleza del medicamento y la lentificación del tránsito esofágico (ingestión con poco líquido, en posición de decúbito; disminución o pérdida del peristaltismo y en especial de las ondas de barrido, administración de antiespasmódicos y anticolinérgicos que reducen la producción de saliva, disminuyen el peristaltismo del cuerpo esofágico y alteranla continencia del esfínter esofágico inferior, permitiendo el reflujo gastroesofágico

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: the clinical entity and anorectal physiological findings in Singapore.

The clinical pattern and physiological abnormalities in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) occurring in Singapore, were investigated. Since April 1989, 25 patients have presented with histologically proven SRUS. There were 13 males and 12 females (20 Chinese, 4 Malay and 1 Indian) with a mean age of 47.5 (+/- 3.1) years. Ninety-six per cent presented with rectal bleeding, 92% strained at stools, 40% had mucus discharge, 40% felt incomplete defecation and 32% digitated to defecate. Four had previous haemorrhoidectomies that did not cure their symptoms. The lesions were at a mean 6.8 (+/- 0.5) cm above the anal verge, usually anteriorly (64%) but one was circumferential. Anorectal physiology performed on 14 patients was compared with 13 age and gender matched normal controls. The measured mean resting perineum level in SRUS (1.4 +/- 0.3 cm) was significantly lower than in normals (P < 0.01). The mean anal electrosensory threshold (2.5 +/- 0.52 mV) was also significantly higher than in the controls (P < 0.05). Fifteen patients were successfully treated with a high fibre diet and avoidance of straining. Three patients required surgery and the most recent seven patients have responded well to biofeedback treatment. Awareness of this uncommon anorectal condition is necessary for early diagnosis and appropriate management. The physiological findings support a pelvic straining pathophysiology resulting in perineal descent, with less sensitive rectal mucosa prolapsing into, and raising, the anal canal electrosensory threshold. Treatment strategies aimed at correcting the straining have usually been successful.

Treatment of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome with high-fiber diet and abstention of straining at defecation.

Twenty-one patients with a solitary ulcer of the rectum were treated with instructions for a high-fiber diet and abstention of straining at defecation, since there is evidence that the solitary ulcer syndrome is caused by chronic mechanical and ischemic trauma, by hard stools, and intussusception of the mucosa. In 15 patients disappearance of symptoms and complete ulcer healing was obtained in an average period of 10.5 months (range 2.5-21 months). In the other six patients the lesions remained unchanged. The results demonstrate that softening of stools and normalization of defecation habits should be the mainstay in the treatment of this otherwise chronic disorder with poor healing tendency.