Fecal calprotectin as a biomarker of microscopic bowel inflammation in patients with spondyloarthritis.

AIM: Microscopic bowel inflammation is present in up to 60% of all patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and appears to be associated with more severe joint disease and a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to determine the utility of fecal calprotectin (fCAL) in evaluating endoscopic and histological bowel inflammation in SpA patients. METHODS: Ileocolonoscopies with biopsies and fCAL measurements were performed in 65 patients with SpA. RESULTS: In 47 (72.3%) patients, the fCAL levels were higher than 50 µg/g, whereas in 20 (30.7%), these levels were greater than 250 µg/g. A total of 38 (58.5%) patients presented with microscopic bowel inflammation, and 13 (20%) presented with signs of endoscopic inflammation. fCAL levels were significantly higher in patients with microscopic bowel inflammation than in those without inflammatory findings (P < .001); additionally, these levels were slightly higher in patients with endoscopic signs of bowel inflammation (P = .053). A fCAL cutoff value of 96 µg/g predicted histological bowel inflammation with 73% sensitivity and 67% specificity. No statistically significant difference was observed in the fCAL levels between patients who had been treated or not treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm a high prevalence of microscopic bowel inflammation in SpA patients, regardless of the use of NSAIDs. The evaluation of fCAL levels proved to be useful in the identification of microscopic inflammation and could help in the more judicious indication of ileocolonoscopy. These results support the use of fCAL for the evaluation of microscopic bowel inflammation in SpA patients.

Endoscopic clipping for gastrointestinal bleeding: emergency and prophylactic indications.

Endoscopic clipping has become a common practice among endoscopists. Several models are available, most frequently being introduced via the working channel of the endoscope (through-the-scope); however, larger clips can also be mounted onto the distal tip of the endoscope (over-the-scope). The main indications for endoclip placement include providing effective mechanical hemostasis for bleeding lesions and allowing endoscopic closure of gastrointestinal perforations. Endoclips can also be used prophylactically after endoscopic resection; however, this practice is still controversial. This review discusses the main indications for endoscopic clipping in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon to manage acute bleeding lesions, and the criteria to be used in the prevention of delayed post-polypectomy bleeding.

Estudo comparativo para avaliação de cateter de pHmetria com novo sistema de referência interna na prática clínica / Comparative study to evaluate pH electrodes with new system of built-in reference in clinical practice

Introdução: pHmetria esofágica é um método importante para avaliação direta do refluxo ácido gastroesofágico. Os aparelhos convencionais de pHmetria usam cateteres de referência externa, que podem gerar grandes diferenças nas medidas de pH. Desenvolvemos, em nosso meio, eletrodo de referência interna construído com matriz metálica/polimérica para uso em cateteres de pHmetria. Objetivos: avaliar comparativamente escore de DeMeester, tempo total, supino e ereto de pH menor que quatro, utilizando simultaneamente cateteres de antimônio com eletrodo de referência externa e interna em um mesmo indivíduo. Métodos: entre julho e dezembro de 2013 selecionamos os 16 participantes do estudo. Cada participante foi submetido simultaneamente a dois exames de pHmetria prolongada (um com eletrodo de referência interno e outro com eletrodo de referência externo). Para avaliar os resultados obtidos com cateteres de referência interna e externa utilizamos o teste de Wilcoxon Signed Rank. Resultados: a idade média de nossa população foi de 34,2 anos, sendo 56,2% do sexo feminino. Para avaliar os resultados obtidos com cateteres de pHmetria com referência interna e externa, utilizamos o teste de Wilcoxon Signed Rank. A diferença de valores de pH menor que quatro no tempo total, em posições supina e ereta, bem como o escore de DeMeester, foram muito semelhantes nos exames com eletrodo de referência interna e externa realizados simultaneamente em um mesmo paciente. Conclusão: os cateteres de pHmetria com eletrodo de referência externa e com novo sistema de referência interna comportaram-se de forma semelhante e registraram resultados similares. Vantagens descritas na literatura em relação a cateteres de pHmetria com referência interna deverão ser avaliadas em estudos futuros.

Introduction: esophageal pH monitoring is a very important tool to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux disease. Conventional pH recording equipment uses electrodes with external reference and is associated with great differences in pH measurements. We developed a pH electrode built-in reference, based on a matrix ceramic/metallic/polymeric. Objectives: to compare data of DeMeester scores, total, supine and orthostatic time of pH under four, using simultaneously, in the same patient pH electrodes with external reference and built-in reference. Methods: between July and December 2013 we enrolled 16 patients. Each participant was submitted simultaneously to two prolonged monitoring pH study using electrodes with external and built-in reference. To evaluate the results of the exams performed simultaneously in the same patient we used the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Results: the participants median age was 34.2 years, 56.2% women. To evaluate the results of the exams performed simultaneously in the same patient we used the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. The results of DeMeester score and the data of pH under four, in total, supine and orthostatic time, were similar in recordings using electrode with external reference and built-in reference. Conclusion: performance of pH electrodes with external and in-built reference was similar. Future studies will evaluate vantages of pH electrode built-in reference.

Poluição atmosférica e efeitos respiratórios, cardiovasculares e reprodutivos na saúde humana / Air Pollution and its respiratory, cardiovascular andreproductive effects in the human health

A poluição atmosférica é responsável por vários danos à saúde humana, resultando em aumento da morbidade e/ou mortalidade por inúmeras doenças. A poluição do ar deriva da queima de combustíveis fósseis, sendo as indústrias e os veículos automotores suas principais fontes. Os poluentes atmosféricos podem ser voláteis ou particulados. Destes, o mais danoso é o material particulado com diâmetro aerodinâmico < 2,5 µm (PM 2,5). Neste artigo, são descritos os principais efeitos provocados à saúde pelo PM 2,5, notadamente nos sistemas respiratório, circulatório e reprodutor. No sistema respiratório, os danos mais importantes são desencadeamento ou agravamento de inflamações pulmonares, asma, doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e câncer. Os principais eventos cardiovasculares são alterações no ritmo cardíaco, isquemia miocárdica, modificações na coagulação sanguínea e progressão da aterosclerose. Na gravidez, crescimento intrauterino restrito, prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascimento são as consequências mais marcantes. Como indicam vários estudos, a redução da poluição atmosférica, tarefa nada fácil, mas perfeitamente alcançável, reduz a morbidade e a mortalidade por essas doenças, indicando que ações públicas sobre o assunto são necessárias e inadiáveis, pois trazem efeitos palpáveis à vida das pessoas.

Air pollution is responsible for several damages to human health, resulting in morbidity and/or mortality increasing due to a number of diseases. Air pollution comes from fossil fuel burning, and the industries and automotor vehicles are the main sources. Air pollutants can be volatile or particulate. Among these, the most damaging is the particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2,5 µm (PM 2,5). The main PM 2,5 effects for the health are described in this article, particularly regarding the respiratory, circulatory and reproductive systems. In the respiratory system, the most relevant damage is the onset or worsening of pulmonary inflammation, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. The major cardiovascular events are changes in the heart rate, myocardial schemia, changes in blood coagulation and arteriosclerosis progression. In pregnancy, restrict intrauterine growth, prematurity and low birth weight are the most noteworthy consequences. As indicated by several studies, the reduction of air pollution, no easy task but quite achievable, reduces morbidity and mortality from these diseases, indicating that public actions on the matter are necessary and unavoidable , as they bring tangible improvements to people?s lives.