Gastroesophageal reflux in asymptomatic obese subjects:An esophageal impedance-pH study

AIM:To investigate the relationship between reflux and body mass index(BMI) in the asymptomatic obese population using the impedance-p H technique.METHODS:Gastroesophageal reflux is frequent in the obese population.However,the relationship between acid reflux and BMI in asymptomatic obese people is unclear.Forty-six obese(BMI > 25 kg/m2) people were enrolled in this prospective study.We evaluated the demographic findings and 24-h impedance p H values of the whole group.Gas,acid(p H < 4),weak acid(p H = 4-7) and weak alkaline(p H ≥ 7) reflux parameters were analyzed.RESULTS:The mean age of patients was 49.47±12.24 years,and half of them were men.The mean BMI was 30.64±3.95 kg/m2(25.14-45.58 kg/m2).BMI of 23 was over 30 kg/m2.Seventeen patients had a comorbidity(hypertension,diabetes mellitus,or ischemic heart disease).Endoscopic examination revealed esophagitis in 13 of the 28 subjects(10Grade A,3 Grade B).The subjects were divided into two groups according to BMI(<30 and>30 kg/m2).Demographic and endoscopic findings,and impedance results were similar in these two groups.However,there was a positive correlation between BMI and total and supine p H<4 episodes(P=0.002,r=0.414;P=0.000,r=0.542),p H<4 reflux time(P=0.015,r=0.319;P=0.003,r=0.403),and De Meester score(P=0.012,r=0.333).CONCLUSION:Acid reflux is correlated with BMI in asymptomatic obese individuals.

What is the impact of capsule endoscopy in the long term period?

AIM: To assess the clinical impact of capsule endoscopy(CE) in the long-term follow-up period in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding(OGIB). METHODS: One hundred and forty-one patients who applied CE for OGIB between 2009 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed, and this cohort was then questioned prospectively. Demographic data of the patients were determined via the presence of comorbid diseases, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs anticoagulant-antiaggregant agents, previous diagnostic tests for bleeding episodes, CE findings, laboratory tests and outcomes.RESULTS: CE was performed on 141 patients becauseof OGIB. The capsule was retained in the upper gastrointestinal(GI) system in two of the patients, thus video monitoring was not achieved. There were 139 patients [62% male, median age: 72 years(range: 13-93 years) and a median follow-up duration: 32 mo(range: 6-82 mo)]. The overall diagnostic yield of CE was 84.9%. Rebleeding was determined in 40.3%(56/139) of the patients. The rebleeding rates of patients with positive and negative capsule results at the end of the follow-up were 46.6%(55/118) and 4.8%(1/21), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, usage of NSAIDs, anticoagulant-antiaggregant therapies(OR = 5.8; 95%CI: 1.86-18.27) and vascular ectasia(OR = 6.02; 95%CI: 2.568-14.146) in CE were detected as independent predictors of rebleeding. In the univariate analysis, advanced age, comorbidity, and overt bleeding were detected as predictors of rebleeding.CONCLUSION: CE is a reliable method in the diagnosis of obscure GI bleeding. Negative CE correlated with a significantly lower rebleeding risk in the long-term follow-up period.