[Aute upper gastrointestinal bleeding--erosive gastropathy].

AIMS: Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is the commonest emergency managed by gastroenterologist. Our aim was to assess the frequency of erosive gastropathy as a cause of upper GI bleeding as well as its relation to age. gender and known risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted retrospective observational analysis of emergency endoscopy reports from the files of Emergency Department of Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center of Serbia, during the period from 2000-2005. Data consisted of patients' demographics, endoscopic findings and potential risk factors. RESULTS: During the period 2000-2005. Three thousand-nine hundred and fifty four emergency tipper endoscopies were performed for acute bleeding. In one quarter of cases acute gastric erosions were the actual cause of bleeding. One half of them were associated with excessive consumption of salicilates and NSAIDs. In most of the examined cases bleeding stopped spontaneously, while in 7.6%) of the cases required endoscopic intervention. CONCLUSION: Erosive gastropathy represents significant cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding count up to one quarter of all cases required emergency endoscopy during the 5-year period. Consumption of NSAIDs and salicilates was associated with erosive gastropathy in almost one half of cases (46%) leading us with a conclusion that we must explore other causes of erosive gastropathy more thoroughly.

Clinical onset of the Crohn's disease after eradication therapy of Helicobacter pylori infection. Does Helicobacter pylori infection interact with natural history of inflammatory bowel diseases?

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting reports concerning the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: some studies connected Sulphasalazine therapy and lower incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection, but others showed lower prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in inflammatory bowel diseases despite the choice of therapy. CASE REPORT: A 28-year-old male patient presented in January 1996 with the symptoms of ulcer like dyspepsia. There was no significant abnormality on physical examination, laboratory testing and abdominal ultrasound. Histology examination of the biopsy specimen taken during the upper endoscopy revealed Helicobacter pylori associated active gastritis only in the corporal part of the stomach. After two weeks eradication therapy (Omeprazole, Amoxicillin) he was well. Three months later, at the control endoscopy, granulomatous gastritis of the corporal localization was detected, without Helicobacter pylori present. Antral mucosa appeared normal, both, on endoscopy and histology examination. In July 1996 he started with cramping abdominal pain, mild periodical fever and episodes of watery diarrhea. In laboratory results we found nonspecific signs of inflammation. We repeated upper endoscopy, colonoscopy and enteroclysis--with evidence of segmental stenotic lesions of the upper part of ileum and jejunum. Again, we confirmed granulomatous gastritis and small granuloma in the proximal jejunum. After starting the 5-ASA therapy in combination with Metronidazol, patient was better clinical condition, and laboratory results were normal. We suggested mesalamine maintenance therapy 1 gr. every day, and three years later he is well, in clinical remission of Crohn's disease. CONCLUSION: The clinical course of the Crohn's disease maybe "sui generis" connected with Helicobacter pylori infection- but the exact mechanisms remain to be discovered.