Japanese apricot improves symptoms of gastrointestinal dysmotility associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease

AIM: To investigate the effects of Japanese apricot(JA) consumption on gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)-related symptoms.METHODS: Participants included individuals living in Minabe-cho,a well-known JA-growing region,who received specific medical check-ups by the local community health service in 2010.GERD-related symptoms were examined in 1303 Japanese individuals using a validated questionnaire,the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD(FSSG),which consists of 7 questions associated with acid reflux symptoms and 5 questions asking about gastrointestinal dysmotility symptoms.Each question was answered using a 4-point scale,with higher scores indicating more severe GERDrelated symptoms.Subjects were divided into two groups according to their intake of dried and pickled JA: daily intake(≥ 1 JA daily)(392 subjects) and none oroccasional intake(< 1 JA daily)(911 subjects).FSSG scores were compared between subjects who consumed JA daily and those who did not.Next,subjects were stratified by age,gender and Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) status for subanalyses.RESULTS: Those who ate JA daily were significantly older than those who did not(60.6 ± 10.5 years vs 56.0 ± 11.0 years,P < 0.001).Total FSSG scores were significantly lower in subjects with daily JA intake than in those with none or only occasional intake(2.13 ± 3.14 vs 2.70 ± 3.82,P = 0.005).In particular,subjects who consumed JA daily showed significantly improved FSSG dysmotility scores compared with subjects who did not(1.05 ± 1.58 vs 1.46 ± 2.11,P < 0.001).In contrast,the FSSG reflux score did not differ between subjects with and without daily intake of JA(1.08 ± 1.90 vs 1.24 ± 2.11,P = 0.177).Subanalysis indicated that improvement in dysmotility by JA intake was specifically observed in non-elderly(1.24 ± 1.68 vs 1.62 ± 2.22,P = 0.005) and H.pylori-negative subjects(0.99 ± 1.58 vs 1.57 ± 2.06,P < 0.001).GERD patients(total FSSG score ≥ 8) were less frequently observed among subjects with daily intake of JA as compared to those without daily intake of JA(6.1% vs 9.7%,P = 0.040).CONCLUSION: Daily JA intake may improve digestive dysmotility symptoms,resulting in relief of GERD symptoms.The effect is more obvious in non-elderly and H.pylori-negative subjects.

Diazepam during endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric epithelial neoplasias

AIM:To investigate risk factors and adverse events related to high-dose diazepam administration during endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric neoplasias.METHODS:Between February 2002 and December 2009,a total of 286 patients with gastric epithelial neoplasia underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection in our hospital.To achieve moderate sedation,5-7.5 mg of diazepam was administered intravenously by non-anesthesiologists.Intermittent additional administration of 2.5-5 mg diazepam was performed if uncontrollable body movement of the patient was observed.All patients were classified into groups based on the required diazepam dose:low-dose (≤ 17.5 mg,n=252) and high-dose (> 17.5 mg,n=79).RESULTS:Differences between the low-and highdose diazepam groups were observed in lifetime alcohol consumption (0.30 ± 0.48 vs 0.44 ± 0.52 tons,P=0.032),body weight (58.4 ± 10.3 vs 62.0 ± 9.9 kg,P=0.006),tumor size (15 ± 10 vs 23 ± 18 mm,P < 0.001),lesion location (P < 0.001) and the presence of ulcerative findings (14/238 vs 18/61,P < 0.001).Multivariate analysis identified all five variables as independently related to required diazepam dosage.In terms of adverse reactions to diazepam administration,paradoxical excitement was significantly more frequent in the high-dose diazepam group (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION:Intermittent administration of diazepam enabled safe completion of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection except in patients who were alcohol abusers or obese,or who showed complicated lesions.