Inflammatory status is different in relationship to insulin resistance in severely obese people and changes after bariatric surgery or diet-induced weight loss.

AIM: To assess if insulin resistance is related to a different inflammatory status (especially lymphocyte subpopulations) in severely obese people and to evaluate changes after weight loss either following a very-low calorie diet (VLCD) or bariatric surgery. RESEARCH METHODS & PROCEDURES: Severely obese patients were consecutively recruited in our Obesity Unit. Blood lymphocyte subpopulations and inflammatory parameters were measured baseline, after a VLCD during 6 weeks and one year after biliopancreatic diversion. Insulin resistance was evaluated by Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index. RESULTS: After excluding diabetic patients, 58 patients were studied. HOMA index classified 63.8% of them as insulin resistant (IR). Serum baseline levels of inflammatory cytokines were not significantly different between IR and insulinsensitive (IS) patients but, regarding lymphocyte subpopulations, Natural Killer (NK) cells were higher in IR patients [(305.0 (136.7) vs. 235.0 (80.7) cells/µL, p=0.047]. NK cells showed a significant positive correlation with HOMA index (r=0.484, p=0.000) and with the carbohydrate content of the diet (r=0.420, p=0.001). After VLCD, NK cells significantly decreased, but only in IR patients and in those losing more than 10% of their initial weight. After biliopancreatic diversion, total and CD8 T Lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and NK cells also decreased but only in IR individuals. CONCLUSION: NK cells are significantly increased in IR severely obese people in respect to IS, suggesting a slightly different immune status in these patients with a probable dietary relationship. Weight loss could reverse this increase either after VLCD or after bariatric surgery.

[Effects of preoperative weight loss with a very low calorie diet (VLCD) on weight loss after biliopancreatic diversion in patients with severe obesity]. / Efectos de la pérdida de peso mediante una dieta muy baja en calorías (VLCD) sobre la pérdida de peso tras derivación biliopancreática en pacientes con obesidad severa.

BACKGROUND: Weight loss before bariatric surgery, achieved by means of a very low calorie diet (VLCD) has been recently reported to be related to a lower rate of postoperative complications. However, it is controversial if preoperative weight loss after VLCD could improve postoperative weight loss. AIMS: To assess the effectiveness of a preoperative VLCD for 6 weeks in weight loss one year after bariatric surgery. To evaluate the changes obtained in anthropometric measures and biochemical parameters after VLCD. METHODS: Prospective uncontrolled study including severely obese patients undergoing biliopancreatic diversion in our Obesity Unit in 2008-2010. Patients included followed a VLCD providing 840 kcal and 60 g of protein (Optisource®). Descriptive data are presented as mean (standard deviation) and after checking a normal distribution is followed, they were analyzed by Student s T test, ANOVA or Pearson correlation. RESULTS: We evaluated 107 obese patients, 43.5 (10.2) years-old, 72% women, with initial weight 122.4 (18.6) Kg and BMI 46.8 (5.5) kg/m(2). 24.5% of them lost more than 10 % of initial weight and 73.5% more than 5% after following VLCD. Mean percentage of excess weight loss (% PSP) one year after surgery was 59.6 (13.4)%, and although it was higher for those patients losing more weight after VLCD, a significant correlation was not found: those who lost more than 5% showed %PSP 59.5 (13.8) % after twelve months and 68.4 (16.2) % of percentage of excess BMI loss (%PEIMC), vs 57,9 (13,1) % and 68.5 (16.6) % if they didn t lose that amount of weight. Those patients losing more than 10% achieved %PSP 63.3 (13.7) and %PEIMC 70.9 (14.7) vs 58.2 (14.0) y 67.7 (16.7) vs those not losing that amount. Significant correlations between preoperative loss with VLCD and %PSP or %PEIMC at 3,6,9 and 12 months were not found, and only %PSP 1 month after surgery correlated with %PSP after VLCD (r = 0.454, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative weight loss with VLCD in severely obese patients did not show to improve either %PSP or %PEIMC one year after bariatric surgery.

Introducción: Se ha comunicado recientemente que la reducción de peso previa a cirugía bariátrica mediante dieta muy baja en calorías (VLCD) durante 2 semanas supone menor tasa de complicaciones postoperatorias. Es debatido, sin embargo, si la pérdida de peso preoperatoria con VLCD puede favorecer pérdida de peso postoperatoria. Objetivos: Valorar la eficacia de una VLCD, seguida durante 6 semanas preoperatorias, en el descenso de peso conseguido al 2013 de la cirugía bariátrica. Evaluar los cambios en parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos conseguidos con dicha dieta. Metodología: Estudio prospectivo no controlado en los pacientes obesos sometidos a derivación biliopancréatica en la Unidad de Obesidad de referencia en el periodo 2008-2010. Los pacientes recibieron durante 6 semanas previas a la intervención una VLCD que aportaba diariamente 840 kcal y 60 g de proteínas (Optisource®). Los datos descriptivos se presentan como media y desviación estándar (DS), y tras comprobar su distribución normal, fueron analizados mediante prueba t de Student, ANOVA o correlación de Pearson. Resultados: Fueron valorados 107 pacientes obesos, de 43,5 (10,2) 2013s, el 72 % fueron mujeres con peso inicial 122,4 (18,6) Kg e IMC de 46,8 (5,5) kg/m2. Un 24,5% perdieron más de 10 % de su peso inicial y un 73,5% más de 5% tras VLCD. La media de porcentaje pérdida de exceso de peso (% PSP) a los 12 meses de la intervención fue 59,6 (13,4)%, y aunque fue mayor en los pacientes que habían perdido peso con VLCD, no se asoció de forma significativa: aquellos pacientes con pérdida mayor de 5% perdieron a los 12 meses 59,5 (13,8)% de PSP y 68,4 (16,2) % de exceso de IMC (%PEIMC), frente a 57,9 (13,1) % y 68,5 (16,6) % si no conseguían esa pérdida. El grupo de pacientes con pérdida mayor de 10 % consiguió %PSP de 63,3 (13,7) y %PEIMC de 70,9 (14,7) vs 58,2 (14,0) y 67,7 (16,7) si no perdieron >10% del peso inicial. No se encontró correlación entre la pérdida preoperatoria con VLCD y %PSP ni de exceso de IMC (%PEIMC) a 3,6,9 y 12 meses, sólo el %PSP a 1 mes se correlacionó con %PSP con VLCD (r = 0,454, p = 0,003). Conclusiones: La pérdida de peso preoperatoria mediante VLCD en pacientes obesos mórbidos no hademostrado favorecer la pérdida de exceso de peso ni de exceso de IMC al 2013 de la cirugía bariátrica.

[Analysis of the characteristics of patients with bladder cancer diagnosed of multiple neoplasms in the health district of León (Spain)]. / Análisis de las características de los pacientes con cáncer vesical diagnosticados de neoplasias múltiples en el área sanitaria de León.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the characteristics of the patients with bladder neoplasms who developed a multiple malignant primary neoplasm (MMPN) in the health district of León, the impact on survival and the prognostic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have used the data from the Tumor Registry of the Hospital of León and selected all those patients who were diagnosed of a bladder tumor between 1993 and 2002. They were classified into two groups: the first with 71 patients with MMPN and a second group with 159 patients with single bladder tumors diagnosed between 1996 and 1997. RESULTS: Incidence of MMPN was of 7.1 percent. More than half of the patients had familial oncologic background. The second most frequently diagnosed neoplasms were urologic, followed by gastrointestinal and respiratory. Survival of patients with MMPN was 21 percent lower than single neoplasms. Variables with prognosis significance were the stage of the second neoplasm, diagnosis of a second urologic neoplasm and surgery treatment for the second tumor. CONCLUSIONS: MMPN in patients with bladder tumors are frequent in our geographic area. The high frequency of familial oncologic antecedents in these patients suggest a genetic background. Prognosis of MMPN patients is worse than single tumors patients, but no differences were observed regarding prognosis in patients with synchronous or metachronous MMPN.

Multiple malignant primary neoplasms in patients with gatric neoplasms in the health district of León.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the characteristics of patients with gastric tumors diagnosed with multiple malignant primary neoplasm (MMPN) in the Health District of León. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the information in the Tumor Registry at León Hospital patients selected were those with gastric neoplasms diagnosed between 1993 and 2002. A follow-up was performed until December 31, 2004, and the characteristics of patients diagnosed with a second neoplasm were analyzed. RESULTS: MMPN prevalence was 1,96%; 56% of patients had a history of cancer in first-degree relatives. The most frequent second neoplasms were digestive (26%) and urologic (21%); 87% of patients were diagnosed with a second neoplasm within the first two years. No significative differences in survival were observed among patients with synchronous or metachronous MMPN. CONCLUSIONS: MMPN in patients with gastric neoplasms is a relevant problem. While external carcinogenic agents could act as promoters in the development of second neoplasms, these patients seem to have a genetic background favoring the development of MMPN. Secondary prevention is the best measure to avoid MMPN development.

[Needle-knife sphincterotomy for biliary access: a prospective study]. / Esfinterotomía de aguja como técnica de acceso a la vía biliar: estudio prospectivo.

OBJECTIVE: Needle-knife sphincterotomy (NKS) is used to achieve biliary access when routine cannulation methods have been unsuccessful. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of NNS in patients with an inaccessible common bile duct (difficult cannulation) using standard techniques in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and the factors associated with the success of this procedure and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 72 patients who underwent NKS performed by the same endoscopist (J.E.) because of difficult cannulation of the common bile duct between January 1998 and December 2004. The results were analyzed in terms of successful biliary access, whether this was achieved in one or more sessions, its possible association with the underlying disease, and the incidence and severity of complications. RESULTS: Seventy-two NKS were performed from a total of 1062 sphincterotomies (6.7%). A total of 77.7% of the patients underwent prior implantation of a pancreatic prosthesis (NKS-PP). The final diagnosis was: choledocholithiasis (31.9%), cancer of the pancreas (16.6%), cholangiocarcinoma (13.8%), benign stenosis (8.3%), dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi (6.9%), normal (6.9%), and miscellaneous (13.8%). Cannulation was successful in 87.5% (63/72), and was achieved in the first session in 73% (46/63). Biliary access was achieved in 72.7% of patients (16/22) with biliopancreatic neoplasms versus 94% (47/50) of those with other diagnoses (p = 0.03). Eleven patients (15.2%) presented 12 complications (16.6%) (6 pancreatitis, 4 cholangitis, 1 papillary hemorrhage, and 1 portal vein filling). The use of a pancreatic prosthesis was related to a higher success rate and significantly fewer complications (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: NKS-PP can be a safe procedure in patients with difficult cannulation of the common bile duct. The presence of biliopancreatic neoplasm is a risk factor for failure to achieve biliary access compared with other diagnoses. The complication rate was similar to that found in other studies. No cases of severe pancreatitis or perforations were found.

[Enteral prostheses for palliative treatment of gastroduodenal obstruction: endoscopic procedure]. / Prótesis enterales en el tratamiento paliativo de la obstrucción gastroduodenal: técnica endoscópica.

Malignant gastroduodenal obstruction may cause significant morbidity. Insertion of enteral prostheses as a palliative treatment is an acceptable option to achieve an appropriate gastric voiding without the morbidity associated to palliative surgery, with a lesser procedure-related mortality and a lower cost, while providing a better quality of life. Its is important to unify and consolidate the endoscopic procedure for the placement of enteral prostheses, avoiding variations that may preclude an adequate analysis of this procedure outcome.

[Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma in a patient with gastric non-Hodgkin lymphoma]. / Leiomiosarcoma hepático primario en un paciente con linfoma no hodgkiniano gástrico.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the liver is a rare entity and fewer than 100 cases have been reported in the medical literature. Even more unusual is the association with another previous tumour. We report the case of a 84-year-old man who had been treated for a gastric non-Hodgkin lymphoma two years previously. He presented with a painful mass in the right upper abdomen. An ultrasound scan showed a large mass in the right lobe of the liver and chest radiography showed pulmonary metastases. Liver biopsy was performed and immunohistochemical analysis revealed a malignant leiomyosarcoma. We discuss this case and review the available literature.

[The histological lesions of chronic hepatitis C as predicting factors of sustained response to the treatment with interferon]. / Las lesiones anátomo-patológicas de la hepatitis crónica C como factores predictivos de respuesta mantenida al tratamiento con interferón.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies have been implemented in order to determine the pre-treatment factors that can predict patients' response to interferon (IFN) therapy, it is not yet clear whether characteristic histologic abnormalities in chronic hepatitis C can predict such response. AIMS: The aim of this study were to evaluate, in patients with chronic hepatitis C, (i) the predictive value of histologic lesions for the sustained response to IFN therapy (ii) other pre-treatment (epidemiological and analytical) factors known to be predictive of response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sustained response was retrospectively evaluated in two hundred one patients who had been treated with IFN for at least 3 months in four different hospitals from Castilla y León. The following histological parameters were studied as predictors of response: histological diagnosis, Knodell index, grading and stage, characteristic histologic lesions of HCV infection. Epidemiological and analytical parameters were also evaluated. RESULTS: The rate of patient's sustained response to IFN treatment was 16%. None of the histological parameters was useful to predict this response. By univariate analysis, age, disease evolution time, mode of viral transmission, GGT, ferritin and viral genotype were associated with a sustained response. The most powerful, and only independent predictive factor, however, was the genotype (the response odds ratio was 8.6). CONCLUSIONS: Histological parameters do not predict the response to IFN treatment. Other factors (mainly the viral genotype) are associated with a higher response percentage, although no one is useful to decide which patients are going to respond.

[Incidence of digestive tumors in the health district of Leon, Spain in 1993-1997: high incidence of colorectal carcinoma]. / Incidencia de los tumores digestivos en el Area de Salud de León en el quinquenio 1993-1997: alta incidencia del carcinoma colorrectal.

AIM: To determine the incidence of various digestive tumors in the health district of Leon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All digestive tumors registered in the Hospital Tumor Registry in Leon from 1993-1997 were included. Unadjusted and adjusted incidence rates of each kind of tumor, using the ICD-9 classification, were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 9,913 cancer cases were included. Diagnosis was confirmed by the Department of Pathology in 93.4%. Of these, 25.38% originated primarily in the digestive system, which represents an unadjusted incidence of 151.73 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants/year. A total of 58.07% were male and 41.93% female. Colon cancer was the most frequent (31.5%), followed by gastric cancer (25.7%) and rectal cancer (20.3%). The highest incidence, both unadjusted and adjusted, was in colon cancer (52.8 and 25.9) followed by gastric cancer (47.4 and 24.3) and rectal cancer (36.1 and 18.3, all they 10(5)/year. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of digestive cancer in Leon is very high and that of colorectal cancer is higher than in any other region in Spain. This is only partly due to the marked aging of our population.

[Multiple hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia: its presentation in childhood and atypical evolution]. / Hiperplasia nodular focal múltiple hepática: presentación en la infancia y evolución atípica.

Multiple focal nodular hyperplasia is an uncommon benign liver tumor although its incidence has been increasing in the last few years. A case of focal nodular hyperplasia in a young woman is described, which was discovered in infancy and which presented two nodules in each lobe. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by large surgical biopsy. Conservative therapy was given for 16 years during which time there was progressive tumor growth, increase of pain and cholestatic enzymes. The unusual presentation this benign lesion may have, a strategy for its diagnosis and the generally conservative management that is currently favored are discussed.

[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes]. / Peritonitis bacteriana espontánea por Listeria monocytogenes.

We present a 68 year old male with alcoholic cirrhosis that was admitted with abdominal pain and fever. Hepatocarcinoma and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis by Listeria monocytogenes was diagnosed. The patient was treated with ampicillin and tobramycin during 25 days following a favorable course although ascitic fluid remained abnormal during 21 days. It is noted the rarity of Listeria as a cause of bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic patients although they are immunodeficient. It is also important to establish the etiological origin because standard treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is cefotaxime and Listeria is resistant to this antibiotic. The 66% of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis secondary to Listeria monocytogenes infection in cirrhotic patients has been reported in Spain and this might be due to a higher incidence of human listeriosis in this country.

[Inflammatory bowel disease: importance of nutrition today]. / Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: importancia de la nutrición hoy.

Malnutrition is a very common situation in patients inflammatory with intestinal disease (IID), which can be caused by a multitude of factors. It has been shown that nutritional support not only improves the nutritional condition of the patients, but in Crohn's disease it also has an effect on the activity of the disease, although this effect is smaller than that of steroids. Elemental diets are no more efficient than polymeric diets except under very special circumstances, but they are more expensive and patients tolerate them worse. A digestive pause is not recommended unless there is an absolute contraindication for the use of the digestive tract. Therefore, parenteral nutrition, which is more expensive and can cause serious complications, will be reserved for very specific indications. The use of fish oil supplements, either because it competes with arachidonic acid and prevents the initiation of the inflammatory cascade, or because it decreases the production of cytokines, has shown to be potentially useful in inflammatory intestinal disease, and this must be confirmed by further studies. Short chain fatty acids enemas have shown promising results in distal ulcerative colitis but the lack of homogeneity in the studies makes it necessary for these results to be consolidated in new studies. Nutritional support is especially interesting in children with inflammatory intestinal disease given that the growth retardation which is often seen in severe cases, can be controlled by adequate enteral or parenteral diets.

[Systemic amyloidosis presenting as cholestatic jaundice]. / Ictericia colestásica como forma de presentación de una amiloidosis sistémica.

We present a case of a 68 year old man with general deterioration and recent onset of jaundice that was admitted for clinical evaluation. Previous records were: treated bone tuberculosis, hypertrophic myocardiopathy and ischemic cardiopathy. Physical examination showed liver enlargement without evidence of chronic liver disease. Laboratory studies and other explorations such as abdominal ultrasound, CAT and ERCP did not leed to an objective diagnosis. Therefore, a liver biopsy was performed, showing liver amyloidosis AA type with amyloid deposits in portal spaces. The patient died three months later. The rarity of this clinical presentation is discussed and its poor prognosis outlined. Some peculiarities of liver deposits are reviewed.