Latin American consensus on diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be challenging given varying symptom presentations, and complex multifactorial pathophysiology. The gold standard for GERD diagnosis is esophageal acid exposure time (AET) measured by pH-metry. A variety of additional diagnostic tools are available. The goal of this consensus was to assess the individual merits of GERD diagnostic tools based on current evidence, and provide consensus recommendations following discussion and voting by experts. METHODS: This consensus was developed by 15 experts from nine countries, based on a systematic search of the literature, using GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation) methodology to assess the quality and strength of the evidence, and provide recommendations regarding the diagnostic utility of different GERD diagnosis tools, using AET as the reference standard. KEY RESULTS: A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trial is appropriate for patients with heartburn and no alarm symptoms, but nor for patients with regurgitation, chest pain, or extraesophageal presentations. Severe erosive esophagitis and abnormal reflux monitoring off PPI are clearly indicative of GERD. Esophagram, esophageal biopsies, laryngoscopy, and pharyngeal pH monitoring are not recommended to diagnose GERD. Patients with PPI-refractory symptoms and normal endoscopy require reflux monitoring by pH or pH-impedance to confirm or exclude GERD, and identify treatment failure mechanisms. GERD confounders need to be considered in some patients, pH-impedance can identify supragrastric belching, impedance-manometry can diagnose rumination. CONCLUSIONS: Erosive esophagitis on endoscopy and abnormal pH or pH-impedance monitoring are the most appropriate methods to establish a diagnosis of GERD. Other tools may add useful complementary information.

Randomized placebo-controlled trial of oral tannin supplementation on COVID-19 symptoms, gut dysbiosis and cytokine response.

The clinical study aim was to investigate whether a tannin-based dietary supplementation could improve the efficacy of standard-of-care treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients by restoring gut microbiota function. Adverse events and immunomodulation post-tannin supplementation were also investigated. A total of 124 patients receiving standard-of-care treatment were randomized to oral tannin-based supplement or placebo for a total of 14 days. Longitudinal blood and stool samples were collected for cytokine and 16S rDNA microbiome profiling, and results were compared with 53 healthy controls. Although oral tannin supplementation did not result in clinical improvement or significant gut microbiome shifts after 14-days, a reduction in the inflammatory state was evident and significantly correlated with microbiota modulation. Among cytokines measured, MIP-1α was significantly decreased with tannin treatment (p = 0.03) where it correlated positively with IL-1ß and TNF- α, and negatively with stool Bifidobacterium abundance.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is Undiagnosed in Some Patients with Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Using the Rome IV Criteria.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most frequent disorders in clinical practice, with a mean 7.6-10.8% worldwide prevalence. A study showed that 6.1% of patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) had severe exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). We aimed to identify the prevalence of EPI based on fecal elastase stool testing (Fel-1) in IBS-D and the clinical characteristics that may predict the diagnosis of EPI. METHODS: Patients aged > 18 years presenting to tertiary hospital outpatient clinics with IBS-D completed validated questionnaires and gave a stool sample where Fel-1 concentration was measured. Patients with Fel-1 < 100 µg/g represented EPI and > 100 to < 200 µg/g underwent testing for pancreatic pathology with laboratory and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) evaluation. RESULTS: One hundred forty patients (mean age 60 years, females 75.7%) were studied. EPI was found in 5% (95% CI 2.2-10.4), and pancreatic steatosis was the main EUS finding (71%). Dyspepsia was an independent factor associated with EPI (OR 34.7; 95% CI 4.95-366.37, p = 0.0007). After pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), patients showed a significant improvement in the Bristol stool scale (p < 0.0001), bowel movements per day (p < 0.005), distension score (0.0009), pain score (0.0277) and IBS severity (0.0034). CONCLUSION: EPI is present in 5% of patients who fulfill Rome IV criteria for D-IBS, and dyspepsia was an independent symptom strongly associated with EPI. Pancreatic steatosis was the main endoscopic ultrasound finding. After PERT therapy, patients had significantly improved stool frequency, stool consistency, abdominal pain, distension and IBS severity score.

Natural tannin extracts supplementation for COVID-19 patients (TanCOVID): a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This research aims to study the efficacy of tannins co-supplementation on disease duration, severity and clinical symptoms, microbiota composition and inflammatory mediators in SARS-CoV2 patients. TRIAL DESIGN: This is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of the dietary supplement ARBOX, a molecular blend of quebracho and chestnut tannins extract and Vit B12, in patients affected by COVID-19. PARTICIPANTS: 18 years of age or older, admitted to Hospital de Clinicas Jose de San Martin, Buenos Aires University (Argentina), meeting the definition of "COVID-19 confirmed case" ( https://www.argentina.gob.ar/salud/coronavirus-COVID-19/definicion-de-caso ). Inclusion Criteria Participants are eligible to be included in the study if the following criteria apply: 1. Any gender 2. ≥18 years old 3. Informed consent for participation in the study 4. Virological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection (real-time PCR) Exclusion Criteria Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: 1. Pregnant and lactating patients 2. Patients who cannot take oral therapy (with severe cognitive decline, assisted ventilation, or impaired consciousness) 3. Hypersensitivity to polyphenols 4. Patients already in ICU or requiring mechanical ventilation 5. Patients already enrolled in other clinical trials 6. Decline of consent INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR: Experimental: TREATED ARM Participants will receive a supply of 28 -- 390 mg ARBOX capsules for 14 days. Patients will be supplemented with 2 capsules of ARBOX per day. Placebo Comparator: CONTROL ARM Participants will receive placebo supply for 14 days. The placebo will be administered with the identical dose as described for the test product. All trial participants will receive standard therapy, which includes: Antipyretics or Lopinavir / Ritonavir, Azithromycin and Hydroxychloroquine, as appropriate (treatment currently recommended by the department of Infectious Diseases of the Hospital de Clínicas that could undergo to modifications). In addition, if necessary: supplemental O2, non-invasive ventilation, antibiotic therapy. MAIN OUTCOMES: Primary Outcome Measures: Time to hospital discharge, defined as the time from first dose of ARBOX to hospital discharge [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ] Secondary Outcome Measures: 28-day all-cause mortality [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ]-proportion Invasive ventilation on day 28 [ Time Frame: Throughout the Study (Day 0 to Day 28) ]-proportion Level of inflammation parameters and cytokines [ Time Frame: day 1-14 ] -mean difference Difference in fecal intestinal microbiota composition and intestinal permeability [ Time Frame: day 1-14 ] Negativization of COVID-PCR at day 14 [ Time Frame: day 14 ]-proportion RANDOMIZATION: Potential study participants were screened for eligibility 24 hours prior to study randomization. Patients were randomly assigned via computer-generated random numbering (1:1) to receive standard treatment coupled with tannin or standard treatment plus placebo (control group). BLINDING (MASKING): Study personnel and participants are blinded to the treatment allocation, as both ARBOX and placebo were packed in identical containers. Thus, all the used capsules had identical appearance. NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMIZED (SAMPLE SIZE): Considering an alpha error of 5%, a power of 80% a sample size of 70 patients per branch was estimated. 140 patients in total. TRIAL STATUS: The protocol version is number V2, dated May 23, 2020. The first patient, first visit was on June 12, 2020; the recruitment end date was October 6, 2020. The protocol was not submitted earlier because the enrollment of some patients took place after the closure of the recruitment on the clinicaltrials platform. In fact, due to the epidemiological conditions, due to the decrease of the cases in Argentina during the summer period, the recruitment stopped t before reaching the number of 140 patients (as indicated in the webpage). However, since there was a new increase in cases, the enrolment was resumed in order to reach the number of patients initially planned in the protocol. The final participant was recruited on February 14, 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, number: NCT04403646 , registered on May 27th, 2020. FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Impact of a Virtual Endoscopy Training Curriculum in Novice Endoscopists: First Experience in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality simulation in gastrointestinal endoscopy is an educational tool that allows repetitive instruction in a non-patient care environment. AIM: To determine the impact of a virtual endoscopy training curriculum applying an objective pre- and post-training analysis on trainee endoscopists. METHODS: A before-after training study was carried out. Subjects were first year fellows of gastroenterology, who completed a questionnaire and then performed two pre-training simulated cases. The virtual endoscopy training curriculum consisted of an 8-h workday utilizing two GI MENTOR™ in a specialized clinical simulation center. After the training, all subjects completed the same two cases they did in the pre-training. Pre- and post-training results' comparisons were made by paired t test. RESULTS: Totally, 126 subjects were included (mean age 30 years, 61% female). A significant improvement from pre- to post-training was observed in psychomotor skills (total time, percentage, and number of balloons exploded) and endoscopic skills (cecal intubation time, percentage of examined mucosa, and efficacy of screening). There was also an improvement in the quality of the endoscopic study; percentage of examined mucosa over 85% showed a significant improvement post-training with an adjusted OR of 2.72 (95% CI 1.51-4.89, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual endoscopy training curriculum produces a significant improvement in the trainee endoscopists performance and their psychomotor skills and introduces the concept of a quality endoscopic study in a non-patient, risk-free environment.

Helicobacter pylori and corpus gastric pathology are associated with lower serum ghrelin.

AIM: To evaluate the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), cagA genotype, and type of gastric pathology with ghrelin, leptin and nutritional status. METHODS: Fasted dyspeptic adults (18-70 years) referred for an upper digestive endoscopy were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight were assessed for body mass index (BMI) calculation. A sociodemographic survey was administered and nutrient intake was evaluated with 24 h dietary recalls. Serum total ghrelin and leptin levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 13C-Urea Breath Test was performed and four gastric biopsies were obtained during endoscopy for histopathology and H. pylori DNA amplification and genotyping. Data analysis was performed using χ2, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman's correlation and linear regression. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-three patients (40.8 ± 14.0 years), 98/65 females/males, were included. Overall, persistent H. pylori prevalence was 53.4% (95%CI: 45.7%-65.8%). Neither nutrient intake nor BMI differed significantly between H. pylori positive and negative groups. Serum ghrelin was significantly lower in infected patients [median 311.0 pg/mL (IQR 230.0-385.5)] than in uninfected ones [median 355.0 pg/mL (IQR 253.8-547.8)] (P = 0.025), even after adjusting for BMI and gender (P = 0.03). Ghrelin levels tended to be lower in patients carrying cagA positive strains both in the antrum and the corpus; however, differences with those carrying cagA negative strains did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.50 and P = 0.49, respectively). In addition, the type and severity of gastric pathology in the corpus was associated with lower serum ghrelin (P = 0.04), independently of H. pylori status. Conversely, leptin levels did not differ significantly between infected and uninfected patients [median 1.84 ng/mL (0.80-4.85) vs 1.84 ng/mL (0.50-5.09), (P = 0.51)]. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection and severity of gastric corpus pathology are associated with lower serum ghrelin. Further studies could confirm a lower ghrelin prevalence in cagA-positive patients.

[Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Review (GERD)]. / Revisión sobre enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE).

GERD is a highly prevalent disease in our country. It has a deep impact in patient´s quality of life, representing extremely high costs regarding health. The correct understanding of its pathophysiology is crucial for the rational use of diagnoses methods and the implementation of appropriate treatment adjusted to each individual case. In this review we evaluate this disorder based on the best available evidence, focusing in pathophysiological mechanisms, its epidemiology, modern diagnosis methods and current management standards.

Aphagia following esophageal variceal ligation / Afagia post banding esofágico

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Experiencia inicial del impacto de la reparación con colgajos de cloaca traumática postparto en la calidad de vida / Initial experience, of the impact of the repair, with postpartum traumatic cloaca flaps, on the quality of life

Introducción: La incontinencia fecal mayor es un trastorno que modifica significativamente la calidad devida. Un grupo particularmente afectado son las mujeres con antecedentes de trauma obstétrico. Dentrode ellos, los más graves son los de cuarto grado que involucran la totalidad de las capas del tabique rectovaginal, produciendo una comunicación completa entre la luz rectal y la vagina, generando una cloaca. Sibien la incidencia de éstas, es de alrededor del 0,3% de los partos, el efecto que tiene sobre las pacienteses devastador. El único tratamiento efectivo para este tipo de lesiones es la reparación quirúrgica.Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto que presenta la corrección quirúrgica de la cloaca por trauma obstétrico en lacalidad de vida de las afectadas.Material y Métodos: Análisis prospectivo secundario y ampliado de una serie consecutiva de pacientestratadas por desgarro perineal completo tipo cloaca durante el año 2013. Se evaluó la demografía de lamuestra, la paridad de las pacientes, el tiempo medio hasta la consulta desde el último parto, la manometríapre y postoperatoria, la evaluación de incontinencia fecal pre y postoperatorio. Para valorar la severidad dela incontinencia fecal se utilizó el índice CCF-FIS y el índice de severidad de incontinencia fecal (FISI). Parala evaluación de calidad de vida se utilizó la encuesta FIQLS de la Sociedad Americana de Cirujanos delColon y Recto (ASCRS).Resultados: Tres pacientes fueron intervenidas entre enero de 2013 y diciembre de 2013. En el examenfísico, el 100% de las pacientes presentaron una cloaca perineal. El score CCF-FIS preoperatorio fue del16,7 (16 a 18 puntos). El puntaje de FISI pre-operatorio fue de 54,3 (52 a 57). Las tres pacientes refirieronalteraciones en su actividad social y sexual. Se reevaluaron las pacientes al tercer mes de postoperatorio yluego del cierre de la colostomía...

Introduction: The major fecal incontinence is a disorder that significantly change the quality of life. Aparticularly affected group are women with a history of obstetric trauma and presenting demonstrationsimmediately. Among them, the most serious are the fourth degree involving all the layers of the rectovaginalseptum, producing a complete communication between the rectal lumen and vagina, creating a sewer.Although their incidence is about 0.3% of births, the effect on patients is devastating.Objective: To evaluate the impact making the surgical correction of the cloaca by obstetrical trauma in thequality of life of those affected.Material and Methods: Secondary and expanded Prospective analysis of a consecutive series of patientstreated by complete perineal tear type cloaca in 2013. The demographics of the sample was evaluated theparity of the patients, the median time to the query from the last delivery, pre and postoperative manometry,assessment of pre-and postoperative fecal incontinence. To assess the severity of fecal incontinence CCFFISindex and the severity of fecal incontinence (FISI) was used. The FIQLS survey by the American Societyof Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) was used for the evaluation of quality of lifeResults: Three patients were operated between January 2013 and December 2013 on physical examination, 100% of patients had a perineal cloaca. The CCF-FIS preoperative score was 16.67 (16-18 points). Thescore FISI pre-surgery was 54.33 (52-57). The three patients reported changes in their social and sexualactivity. Patients at the third month after surgery and after colostomy closure were reassessed...

[Usefulness of gastric emptying scintigraphy for the evaluation and management of scleroderma related gastroparesis]. / Utilidad de la medición del vaciamiento gástrico por centellografía con 99mTc para la evaluacion y el manejo de la gastroparesia en la esclerodermia.

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown cause characterized by fibrotic skin and multiple organs involvement, including the gastrointestinal tract. It occurs mainly in women between 35 and 65 years of age. It is classified as limited or diffuse based on the extent of skin involvement. Gastrointestinal dysmotility is observed in up to 90% of patients with a diffuse and limited scleroderma. It may involve any segment of the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the anus and is related to collagen deposition at the level of enteric and vascular smooth muscle. Gastroparesis is a condition characterized by abnormal gastric motility, delay gastric emptying, in the absence of a mechanical obstruction to outflow. Gastric scintigraphy with radiolabeled solid food is the gold standard for the diagnosis of gastroparesis. Two cases of patients with systemic scleroderma and severe gastroparesis are presented in order to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach, emphasizing the utility of gastric emptying scintigraphy.

[Prolonged survival after local excision of a rectal leiomyosarcoma]. / Sobrevida prolongada luego de la resección local de un leiomiosarcoma de recto.

Leiomyosarcoma is a stromal tumor, originated from smooth muscle cells. The pathologic diagnosis represents a challenge in terms of differentiation from leiomyomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), defined by immunohistochemistry techniques. Its location in the rectum is extremely rare. So, management is not standardized. However, in the largest published series it was found that the abdominoperineal resection leads to better results in the prevention of local recurrence compared with local excision. We present here the case of a 44-year-old woman, whose first clinical manifestation of the disease was fever of prolonged course. A 5 cm leiomyosarcoma was diagnosed at 4 cm from the anal margin. A local transanal resection was performed. The patient is free of disease after 8 years.

[Liver involvement in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia]. / Compromiso hepático en la telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditaria.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetic disease with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, characterized by widespread telangiectases that can involve the skin, mucous membranes, lung, brain, gastrointestinal tract and/or liver. It has an estimated prevalence of 1 to 2 cases per 10,000. The prevalence of hepatic involvement in HHT had been estimated in 8% to 31% in retrospective studies but in more recent large prospective series the prevalence is higher, ranging between 41% and 78%. Nevertheless, symptoms occur only in 8% of the patients with HHT and liver involvement. Liver involvement by HHT is characterized by widespread diffuse liver vascular malformations that give rise to three types of shunting: arteriovenous (hepatic artery to hepatic vein), arterioportal (hepatic artery to portal vein), and portovenous (portal vein to hepatic vein). The three most common initial clinical presentations are high-output heart failure, portal hypertension and biliary disease. We describe the case of a patient with diagnosis of HHT and hepatic involvement and we review of the literature. A 58-year-old woman with HHT came to consultation with heart failure symptoms and echographic and endoscopic findings of portal hypertension. The multislice computed tomography of the abdomen revealed the presence of multiple telangiectases in the hepatic parenchyma and a shunt from the hepatic artery to the portal vein. We conclude that the symptomatic involvement of the liver in HHT is an extremely infrequent entity. It must be suspected when clinical manifestations and compatible imagenologic findings exist in patients with antecedents of HHT.

[Clostridium difficile and ulcerative colitis]. / Clostridium difficile y colitis ulcerosa.

Different diagnostic considerations take place when a diarrhea of recent development and prolonged or atypical course is evaluated. Infectious colitis, including Clostridium difficile colitis, and inflammatory bowel disease are the main diagnosis that we put into consideration. We present a 42-year-old woman that begins with diarrhea of probable infectious cause. Because of the recurrence of the symptoms we arrived to the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile colitis complicating an ulcerative colitis. Clostridium difficile colitis has particular characteristic in the context of an inflammatory bowel disease. We should know them because appropriate treatment improves the prognosis.