Performance, tolerability, and symptoms related to prolonged pH monitoring using the Bravo system in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: The traditional system for esophageal 24-h pH monitoring requires transnasal introduction of the catheter with pH sensors; this technique produces discomfort, inconvenience, and interference with daily activity. Recently, a catheter-free pH monitoring system (Bravo) has been proposed as an alternative and promising method for 24-h pH. AIM: To evaluate performance, tolerability, and symptoms related to this new technology in our population. METHODS: Consecutive patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with indication for 24-h pH were included. pH Bravo capsule was placed 6 cm above the squamocolumnar junction using endoscopic measurement. Symptoms associated were evaluated daily in a personal diary until 7 days after the capsule attachment. Severity of symptoms was assessed by a 5-point Likert scale. Capsule detachment was assessed by chest X-ray. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included. Forty-nine were female (mean age 44 +/- 12 yr). Indications for pH monitoring were: nonresponse to proton pump inhibitor therapy in 38 (45%), preoperative evaluation for anti-reflux surgery in 36 (43%), previous failed transnasal 24-h pH monitoring in 6 (7%), and extra-esophageal manifestations of GERD in 4 (5%). The capsule was successfully attached in 95% of patients. At day 7, capsule detachment occurred spontaneously in all cases. Symptoms related to capsule attachment were: chest pain in 26 (33%), foreign body sensation in 11 (14%), nausea in 5 (6%), and 9 (11%) patients had more than one symptom. Severities of those symptoms were mild, and no patient required removal of the capsule. Women and younger patients had more symptoms related to the procedure (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal pH monitoring with Bravo capsule is a safe, reliable, and tolerable method in patients with GERD.

[Application of chromoendoscopy to evaluate the severity and interobserver variation in chronic non-specific ulcerative colitis]. / Aplicación de la cromoendoscopia para evaluar la gravedad y variabilidad interobservador en la colitis ulcerativa crónica inespecífica (CUCI).

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by chronic and superficial inflammation of colorectum. Chromoendoscopy has been informed as a method to improve evaluation of extension of UC. No reports on this issue have been published in Mexico to date. OBJECTIVE: To investigate usefulness of chromoendoscopy in determination of extension and severity of UC, as well as inter-observer variability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty five patients with diagnosis of UC were selected from March 2001 to January 2002 to enter this prospective study. Baron scale was used to evaluate UC endoscopic severity and was followed by randomization of patients to receive methylene blue 0.2% (14 cases) or indigo carmine 0.1% (11 cases) for chromoendoscopic assessment. Each case was presented for evaluation to five endoscopists with > 5 years experience in colonoscopy. Histopathologic report was considered gold standard. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Weighed Kappa coefficient for endoscopic-pathologic agreement among evaluators was used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There was fair agreement among endoscopic and pathologic diagnoses of each observer with the two tinctures, particularly when using indigo carmine. Chromoendoscopy increased detection of areas affected by UC with minimal or silent activity. CONCLUSIONS: Chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine or methylene blue may increase endoscopic-pathologic agreement for assessment of severity of UC, thus being a helpful complementary technique in these patients.