Mucosal polymerase chain reaction for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers

AIM: Helicobacter pylori (H pylon) has been linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric cancer and MALT-lymphoma. Conventional invasive tests are less sensitive than non-invasive tests in diagnosing H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. Polymerase chain reaction is a sensitive and accurate method for diagnosing H pylori infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of mucosai polymerase chain reaction for H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. METHODS: In patients with bleeding, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, we checked rapid urease test, histology, bacterial culture and mucosai polymerase chain reaction fordetecting H pylori infection. Positive H pylori infection was defined as positive culture or both a positive histology and a positive rapid urease test. For mucosai polymerase chain reaction of H pylori, we checked vacA (s1a, s1b, s1c, s2, m1, m1T, m2), iceA1, iceA2. and cag A. RESULTS: Between October 2000 and April 2002,88 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (males/females: 60/28, gastric ulcers/duodenal ulcers: 55/33), 81 patients with non-bleeding peptic ulcers (males/females: 54/27, gastric ulcers/duodenal ulcers: 45/36) and 37 patients with chronic gastritis (males/ females: 24/13) were enrolled in this study. In patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, 45 patients (51%), 71 patients (88%) and 20 patients (54%) respectively were found to have positive H pylori infection (P<0.001). In patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, non-bleeding peptic ulcers and chronic gastritis, polymerase chain reaction for H pylori infection was positive in 54 patients (61%), 70 patients (86%) and 20 patients (54%) respectively (P<0.001). The sensitivity, positive predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of mucosai polymerase reaction for H pylori infection were significantly lower in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (84%, 79% and 81%) than in patients with non-bleeding peptic ulcers (99%, 99% and 98%) (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively). The sensitivity, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of mucosal polymerase reaction for H py/ori were significantly lower in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers (84%, 83% and 81%) than in patients with chronic gastritis (100%, 100% and 100%) (P= 0.02, P= 0.02 and P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Mucosal polymerase chain reaction for detecting H pylori infection is not reliable in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.

Polymerase chain reaction: A sensitive method for detecting Helicobacter pyloriinfection in bleeding peptic ulcers

AIM: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in detecting Helicobacter pylori(H pylon) infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers, and to compare its diagnostic efficacy with other invasive and non-invasive tests. METHODS: From April to September 2002, H pylori status in 60 patients who consecutively presented with gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding was examined by rapid urease tests (RUT), histology, culture, PCR, serology and urea breath tests (UBT). RESULTS: The sensitivity of PCR was significantly higher than that of RUT, histology and culture (91% vs 66%, 43% and 37%, respectively; P = 0.01, <0.001, <0.001, respectively), but similar to that of serology (94%) and UBT (94%). Additionally, PCR exhibited a greater specificity than serology (100% vs 65%, P<0.01). However, the specificity of PCR did not differ from that of other tests. Further analysis revealed significant differences in the sensitivities of RUT, culture, histology and PCR between the patients with and those without blood in the stomach (P<0.01, P= 0.09, P<0.05, and P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: PCR is the most accurate method among the biopsy-based tests to detect H pylori infection in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers. Blood may reduce the sensitivities of all biopsy-based tests.

H pylori infection and other risk factors associated with peptic ulcers in Turkish patients: A retrospective study

AIM: To identify and evaluate the relative impact of H pylori infection and other risk factors on the occurrence of gastric ulcer (GU), duodenal ulcer (DU) and gastritis in Turkish patients. METHODS: A total of 4471 patients (48.3% female) out of 4863 attended the Samatya hospital in Istanbul (June 1999 - October 2003) were included. The records of H pylori status (CLO-test), endoscopic f indings of GU, DU and gastritis, personal habits (smoking, alcohol intake) and medication [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin intake] were analyzed using multi-way frequency analysis. RESULTS: We have found that GU in the presence of H pylori had significant association with aspirin (P = 0.0001), alcohol (P = 0.0090) and NSAIDs (P = 0.0372). DU on the other hand had significant association with aspirin/ smoking/NSAIDs (P = 0.0259), aspirin/alcohol (P = 0.0002) and aspirin/smoking (P = 0.0233), also in the presence of H pylori. In the absence of H pylori GU had significant association with alcohol/NSAIDs (P = 0.0431), and NSAIDs (P = 0.0436). While DU in the absence of H pylori had significant association with smoking/alcohol/ NSAIDs (P = 0.0013), aspirin/NSAIDs (P = 0.0334), aspirin/alcohol (P = 0.0360). CONCLUSION: In the presence of H pylori, aspirin, alcohol and NSAIDs intake act as an independent risk factors that had an augmenting impact on the occurrence of GU and only together on the occurrence of DU in Turkish patients.

Usefulness of anti-ulcer drugs for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcers induced by low doses of aspirin

AIM： To investigate the usefulness of anti-ulcer drugs for the prevention and treatment of low-dose aspirin-induced peptic ulcer.METHODS： Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 68 patients receiving daily low-dose aspirin （81 or 100 rag/day）. The endoscopic findings were classified according to the Lanza score, and the scores were compared between groups categorized according to the concomitant use of anti-ulcer drugs and the types of drugs used. In another study, 31 hemorrhagic peptic ulcer patients who had been receiving low-dose aspirin were enrolled. The patients were randomly classified into the proton pump inhibitor （PPI）-treated group and the H2 receptor antagonist （H2RA）-treated group. The administration of low-dose aspirin was continued concomitantly, and endoscopic examinations were performed 8 wk later.RESULTS： The Lanza scores （mean ± SD） of the gastro-mucosal lesions were 1.0 ± 1.9 and 1.9 ± 2.3 in 8 and 16 patients receiving prevention therapy with a PPI and an H2RA, respectively. Both scores were significantly smaller than the scores in 34 patients who were not receiving prevention therapy （4.7 ± 1.0） and in 10 patients receiving cytoprotective anti-ulcer drugs （4.3± 1.6）. In the prospective study, 18 and 13 patients received a PPI and an H2RA, respectively. Endoscopic examinations revealed that the tissue in the region of the gastro-mucosal lesions had reverted to normal in all patients in the PPI-treated group and in 12 patients （92%） in the H2RA-treated group; no significant differences were observed between the groups.CONCLUSION： H2RA therapy was effective for both the prevention and treatment of low-dose aspirin-induced peptic ulcer, similar to the effects of PPIs, while cytoprotective anti-ulcer drugs were ineffective in preventing ulceration.

Membrane-bound mucins and mucin terminal glycans expression in idiopathic or Helicobacter pylori, NSAID associated peptic ulcers

AIM: To determine the expression of membrane-bound mucins and glycan side chain sialic acids in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated, non-steroidal inflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated and idiopathic-gastric ulcers.

A head to head comparison of oral vs intravenous omeprazole for patients with bleeding peptic ulcers with a clean base,flat spots and adherent clots

AIM： To compare the effect of intravenous and oral omeprazole in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers without high-risk stigmata.METHODS： This randomized study included 211 patients [112 receiving iv omeprazole protocol （Group 1）, 99 receiving po omeprazole 40 mg every 12 h （Group 2）] with a mean age of 52.7. In 144 patients the ulcers showed a clean base, and in 46 the ulcers showed fiat spots and in 21 old adherent clots. The endpoints were re-bleeding, surgery, hospital stay, blood transfusion and death. After discharge, re-bleeding and death were reevaluated within 30 d.RESULTS： The study groups were similar with respect to baseline characteristics. Re-bleeding was recorded in 5 patients of Group 1 and in 4 patients of Group 2 （P = 0.879）. Three patients in Group 1 and 2 in Group 2 underwent surgery （P = 0.773）. The mean length of hospital stay was 4.6 ± 1.6 d in Group 1 vs 4.5 ± 2.6 d in Group 2 （P = 0.710）; the mean amounts of blood transfusion were 1.9 ±1.1 units in Group 1 vs 2.1 ±1.7 units in Group 2 （P = 0.350）. Four patients, two in each group died （P = 0.981）. After discharge, a new bleeding occurred in 2 patients of Group 1 and in 1 patient of Group 2, and one patient from Group 1 died.CONCLUSION： We demonstrate that the effect of oral omeprazole is as effective as intravenous therapy in terms of re-bleeding, surgery, transfusion requirements, hospitalization and mortality in patients with bleeding ulcers with low risk stigmata. These patients can be treated effectively with oral omeprazole.

Study of the relationship between the onset of peptic ulcers and meteorological factors

Objective To discuss the relationship between the onset of peptic ulcers (PU) and meteorological factors (MF).Methods In reviewing records from 17 hospitals in the city of Nanning from 1992 to 1997, we found 24,252 cases of PU in 104,121 samples of gastroscopic examinations. We then calculated the detectable rate of PU(DRPU) during each season every five days (FD) and made a correlated analysis with the seasonal MF during the same period in Nanning. Finally, we made a multiple regressive correlated analysis of DRPU and the 5MF for the same period of the year. A forecast model based on the MF of the previous FD was established. The real value and the forecast value was being tested and verified. Results From 1992 to 1997, the DRPU is: winter and spring>summer and autumn (P<0.005). There is a close relationship between the DRPU and the average temperature (AT), the average highest temperature (AHT), the average lowest temperature (ALT), average air pressure (AAP) and the average dew point temperature (ADT) of the five days of the same period of the year (the correlated coefficients are -0.5348,-05167, -0.5384, 0.4579 and -0.4936, respectively), with P<0.01. The AT, AHT, ALT, AAP and ADT of the previous FD are of great value in forecasting the onset of PU, with its real value and forecast value corresponding to 66.6%.Conclusions There exists a close relationship between DRPU and the AT, AHT, ALT, AAP and ADT of the FD for the same period. A mid-term medical meteorological forecast of the onset of PU can be made more accurately and reliably according to the close relation betweenthe DRPU and some MF of the previous FD.

Role of second look endoscopy in endoscopic submucosal dissection and peptic ulcer bleeding:Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND Second-look endoscopy(SLE)to prevent recurrent bleeding in patients with peptic ulcer disease(PUD)and those undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)is routinely being performed.Conflicting evidence exists regarding efficacy,risk,benefit,and cost-effectiveness.AIM To identify the role and effectiveness of SLE in ESD and PUD,associated rebleeding and PUD-related outcomes like mortality,hospital length of stay,need for endoscopic or surgical intervention and blood transfusions.METHODS A systematic review of literature databases PubMed,Cochrane,and Embase was conducted from inception to January 5,2023.Randomized controlled trials that compared patients with SLE to those who did not have SLE or evaluated the role of prophylactic hemostasis during SLE compared to other conservative interventions were included.The study was conducted per PRISMA guidelines,and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO(ID CRD42023427555:).RevMan was used to perform meta-analysis,and Mantel-Haenszel Odds ratio(OR)were generated using random effect models.RESULTS A total of twelve studies with 2687 patients were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis,of which 1074 patients underwent SLE after ESD and 1613 patients underwent SLE after PUD-related bleeding.In ESD,the rates of rebleeding were 7%in the SLE group compared to 4.4%in the non-SLE group with OR 1.65,95%confidence intervals(CI)of 0.96 to 2.85;P=0.07,whereas it was 11%in the SLE group compared to 13%in the non-SLE group with OR 0.895%CI:0.50 to 1.29;P=0.36.The mean difference in the blood transfusion rates in the SLE and no SLE group in PUD was OR 0.01,95%CI:-0.22 to 0.25;P=0.91.In SLE vs non-SLE groups with PUD,the OR for Endoscopic intervention was 0.29,95%CI:0.08 to 1.00;P=0.05 while it was OR 2.03,95%CI:0.95 to 4.33;P=0.07,for surgical intervention.The mean difference in the hospital length of stay was-3.57 d between the SLE and no SLE groups in PUD with 95%CI:-7.84 to 0.69;P=0.10,denoting an average of approximately 3 fewer days of hospital stay among patients with PUD who underwent SLE.For mortality between SLE and non-SLE groups in PUD,the OR was 0.88,95%CI:0.45 to 1.72;P=0.70.CONCLUSION SLE does not confer any benefit in preventing ESD and PUD-associated rebleeding.SLE also does not provide any significant improvement in mortality,need for interventions,or blood transfusions in PUD patients.SLE decreases the hospital length of stay on average by 3.5 d in PUD patients.

Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children

BACKGROUND The detection rate of peptic ulcer in children is improving,with development of diagnostic procedures.Gastroscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of peptic ulcer,but it is an invasive procedure.Gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS)has the advantages of being painless,noninvasive,nonradioactive,easy to use,and safe.AIM To investigate the clinical value of CEUS for diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer in children.METHODS We investigated 43 children with digestive tract symptoms in our hospital from January 2021 to June 2022.All children were examined by routine ultrasound,gastrointestinal CEUS,and gastroscopy.The pathological results of gastroscopy were taken as the gold standard.Routine ultrasonography was performed before gastrointestinal CEUS.Conventional ultrasound showed the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall,gastric peristalsis,and the adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity.Gastrointestinal CEUS recorded the thickness of the gastroduodenal wall;the size,location and shape of the ulcer;gastric peristalsis;and adjacent organs and tissues around the abdominal cavity.The results of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal ultrasound were compared with those of gastroscopy to evaluate the diagnostic results and coincidence rate of routine ultrasound and gastrointestinal CEUS.All children received informed consent from their guardians for CEUS.This study was reviewed and approved by the hospital medical ethics committee.RESULTS Among the 43 children,17(15 male,2 female)were diagnosed with peptic ulcer by gastroscopy.There were 26 children with nonpeptic ulcer.There were eight cases of peptic ulcer and 35 of nonpeptic ulcer diagnosed by conventional ultrasound.The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children diagnosed by conventional ultrasound was 79.1%(34/43),which was significantly different from that of gastroscopy(P=0.033).It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is low.Fifteen cases of peptic ulcer and 28 of nonpeptic ulcer were diagnosed by CEUS.The diagnostic coincidence rate of peptic ulcer in children was 95.3%(41/43).There was no significant difference between CEUS and gastroscopy(P=0.655).It indicates that the coincidence rate of gastrointestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound and gastroscope is high.CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal CEUS has a high coincidence rate in the diagnosis of peptic ulcer in children,and can be used as a preliminary examination method.

Effect of psychological nursing intervention on anxiety level and quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal peptic ulcer

BACKGROUND Peptic ulcer is a common gastrointestinal disease,and psychological intervention has an important influence on its occurrence and development.AIM To investigate the effect of psychological nursing intervention on the anxiety level and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal peptic ulcers.METHODS Two groups of patients with peptic ulcer were selected from January to December 2012,with 60 cases in each group,and psychological nursing intervention and routine treatment were respectively performed.Psychological nursing interven-tions include cognitive behavioral therapy,psychological support and relaxation training.Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)and quality of life questionnaire were used to evaluate the anxiety level and quality of life of patients before,during and after treatment.RESULTS The SAS scores of the experimental group significantly decreased over the course of treatment,from 52.3 before treatment to 30.5 after treatment,while SAS scores of the control group did not change significantly.Meanwhile,the experimental group's quality of life score(SF-36)significantly improved over the course of treatment,from 65.2 to 85.2,while the control group remained stable.Further analysis showed that sex and age had no significant influence on the effect of psychotherapy.Both men and women,young and old,showed similar trends in anxiety relief and improved quality of life after treatment.CONCLUSION Psychological nursing-based intervention program has a positive effect on the anxiety level and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal peptic ulcer.

Causal associations between intermediate very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-total lipids ratio and peptic ulcer:A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Previous epidemiologic investigations have consistently demonstrated a strong association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-lowdensity lipoprotein(VLDL)and the occurrence of peptic ulcers(PU).However,the precise causal relationship between these factors remains ambiguous.Consequently,this study aims to elucidate the potential correlation between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and the incidence of peptic ulcer.AIM To investigate the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium very-low-density lipoprotein(VLDL)association with PU via genetic methods,guiding future clinical research.METHODS Genome-wide association study(GWAS)datasets for the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL and peptic ulcer were retrieved from the IEU OpenGWAS project(https://gwas.mrcieu.ac.uk).For the forward Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis,72 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were identified as instrumental variables.These SNPs were selected based on their association with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL,with peptic ulcer as the outcome variable.Conversely,for the inverse MR analysis,no SNPs were identified with peptic ulcer as the exposure variable and the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in intermediate VLDL as the outcome.All MR analyses utilized inverse variance weighted(IVW)as the primary analytical method.Additionally,weighted median and MR-Egger methods were employed as supplementary analytical approaches to assess causal effects.Egger regression was used as a supplementary method to evaluate potential directional pleiotropy.Heterogeneity and multiplicity tests were conducted using the leave-one-out method to evaluate result stability and mitigate biases associated with multiple testing.RESULTS The genetically predicted ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was significantly associated with an elevated risk of peptic ulcer(IVW:OR=2.557,95%CI=1.274-5.132,P=0.008).However,no causal association of peptic ulcer with the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL was observed in the inverse Mendelian randomization analysis.CONCLUSION In conclusion,our study reveals a significant association between the ratio of cholesterol to total lipids in medium VLDL and an elevated risk of peptic ulcers.However,further validation through laboratory investigations and larger-scale studies is warranted to strengthen the evidence and confirm the causal relationship between these factors.

The Evolutionary Profile of Patients Operated for Peptic Ulcer Perforation in Bujumbura

Background: The evolutionary profile of patients operated for peptic ulcer perforation in Bujumbura. Perforated peptic ulcer is a serious complication of peptic ulcer with potential risk of grave complications. Aim: To study the early morbidity and mortality of surgery for peptic ulcer perforation in Bujumbura City Hall hospitals: Kamenge University Hospital Center (CHUK), Kamenge Military Hospital (HMK) and Prince Louis Rwagasore Clinic (CPLR). Patients and methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study carried out in the three hospitals of Bujumbura over a period of three years from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. It involved 57 cases (n = 57) of peptic ulcer perforation. Results: The frequency of surgery for peptic ulcer perforation was 2.7% with a mean age of 43.6 years +/- 15.3 years and a male predominance with a sex ratio of 3.7. Eight percent of patients presented with shock, 24.5% were smokers, and 67.9% had taken non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The mean hospital stay was 15.2 days with a standard deviation of 12.1. The morbidity rate was 30.2%, 32% were classified in grade IIIb of the Clavien-Dindo Surgical Complications Scale. There were 9 deaths (17%). Seven patients who underwent surgery and received late consultations died. Conclusion: Surgery for peptic ulcer perforation remains an intervention associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality in Bujumbura. Surgery for peptic ulcer perforation remains a procedure associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate in Bujumbura. The time before consultation was the only factor associated with early morbidity and mortality of Surgery for peptic ulcer’s perforations.

Clinical Effect of Ilaprazole Enteric-Coated Tablets in Patients with Peptic Ulcer

Objective: To discuss the actual effect of ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets in the treatment of peptic ulcer patients. Methods: 200 peptic ulcer patients who received treatment from January to December 2023 were selected as the study sample, and all patients were randomly and evenly divided into the study group (n = 100) and the control group (n = 100), and the serum inflammatory factors and the disappearance time of symptoms were compared. Results: After treatment, the serum inflammatory factors in the observation group were better than those in the control group, and the time of belching and burning sensation in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group, all of which were statistically significant (P Conclusion: Ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets in the treatment of peptic ulcer have a good effect and can effectively improve the symptoms of patients with clinical signs, with reference significance.

Ultrastructural observation on the relation of H.pylori to the gastric epithelia in chronic gastrictis and in peptic ulcer

AIMS The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and gastric epithelia in chronic gastritis and in petic ulcer was studied by transmission electron mi- croscopy (TEM). METHODS Seventy-five gastric antral biopsy speci- mens from the patients examined by six other methods for Hp were fixed in glutaraldehyde and treated with tanin acid before OsO_4 staining than routinely prooessed for TEM studies (at least 4 semi- thin sections oriented for ultrathin sections in each sample). RESULTS The bacilli were detected by TEM within gastric mucosa in 53 of 55 patients infected with Hp. Ultrathin sections especially stained with tanin acid re- vealed clearly glycocalyx by which the bacillus was connected with the epithelium. As the bacilli grouped as colony and breed,the adjacent mucous cells degerated and characterized by erosion of the juxtalu- minal cytoplasm,vacuolation or blebs,even desqua- mation of cell. Evidence was accumulated to show that the baoilli were located in the lumen attracted neu- trophils which intended to migrate into intercellular space of epithelia or into the lumen to exert the effect of Hp phagocytosis. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity and specificity of Hp diagnosis by TEM is respectively 96% and 95%. Tanin acid is suitable for the preservation of glycocalyx of cell. The colonized bacilli,usually with the wide periplasmic pools,contributed to the spectrum degen- eration of epithelia,including mucous neck cells. If Hp infection persists,the degeneration and regeneration of mucous neck cells alternatively carried on and ultimate- ly the generative stem cells were damaged,as the result,the chronic atrophy gastritis could occure.

Accuracy of Helicobacter pylori serology in two peptic ulcer populations and in healthy controls

AIM： To estimate the test characteristics of Heli- cobacter pylori （H pylori） serology and of C14-urea breath test （C14-UBT） in two different peptic ulcer populations and in community controls. Second, the aim was to explore the association between the level of Hpylori IgG antibodies and severity of inflammation as to active peptic ulceration in the same populations. METHODS： Vagotomized （n = 83）, medically treated peptic ulcer patients （n = 73） and one reference group of community controls （n = 88） were gastroscoped. H pylori status was determined by histology, bacterial growth, C14-UBT and serology. Based on the updated Sydney System, cumulative scores from biopsies from the prepyloruos, incisura angularis, corpus and fundus were calculated. RESULTS： The prevalence of Hpylori infection varied from 70% to 79%. The C14-UBT had high accuracy compared to the serology test. The sensitivity of the serology test was good, but the specificity was low （41%-71%）. The association between H pylori IgG antibodies and scores of gastric mucosal inflammation and current or previous peptic ulcer were weak. CONCLUSION： The accuracy of CI4-UBT to diagnose Hpylori infection was good, and the clinical utility of a negative H pylori serology test was substantial, while the gain in clinical information of a positive test was meagre. Positive H pylori titres could not distinguish between subjects with or those without active peptic ulceration.

Helicobacter Pylori Infections in Peptic Ulcer Perforations: A Retrospective Analysis in Two Referral Hospitals in Douala, Cameroon

Background: Perforations are major complications of peptic ulcer disease and surgical emergencies with important mortality and morbidity. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been identified as one of the commonest factors associated with peptic ulcer disease. However, little is known about its implication in cases of perforations in Cameroon. We aimed to determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori infections in cases of perforated peptic ulcers, describe clinical features and outcomes of these cases in Cameroon. Method: A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted through the review of patients’ records admitted for peptic ulcer perforations in Laquintinie and Douala General Hospitals over a period of 5 years (January 2014 - December 2018). We defined H. pylori infection as;positive result on tissue biopsy at time of surgery. We used SPSS version 23.0 to analyse data and set an alpha value at P = 0.05. Results: We reviewed 115 cases of peptic ulcer perforation, with a mean age of 40 years and sex ratio (M:F) of 5:1. All patients underwent emergency laparotomy, 48 (41%) cases had a biopsy report and the prevalence of H. pylori infection in these cases was 47.9 %. Smoking, alcohol consumption and Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) use, were not associated with peptic ulcer perforation. The morbidity was at 43.7% and mortality at 14%. Mortality was increasing with a higher Mannheim Peritonitis Index score (OR: 23.51, 95% CI: 4.197 - 143.003, P-value: 0.000). Conclusion: We observed a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with peptic ulcer perforations. We recommend systematic H. pylori screening in cases of perforations and that larger studies should be carried out to evaluate the association of H. pylori infection with peptic ulcer perforation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Influence of interleukin polymorphisms on development of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer

Pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced in the gastric mucosa by inflammatory cells activated by chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Polymorphisms of these cytokine genes are associated with individual differences in gastric mucosal cytokine mRNA level, which result in differences in gastric mucosal inflammation, acid inhibition and gastroduodenal disease risk in response to H. pylori infection. Although polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A have been reported to relate well with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer risk, those of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 genes are unclear. In combined analyses using data from previous studies, we found that the risk of gastric non-cardia cancer development was significantly associated with IL-4-168 C allele (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-1.00) and IL-4-590 T allele carrier status (0.61, 0.53-0.73), and IL-6-174 G/G genotype (2<Abstract>Pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced in the gastric mucosa by inflammatory cells activated by chronic Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Polymorphisms of these cytokine genes are associated with individual differences in gastric mucosal cytokine mRNA level, which result in differences in gastric mucosal inflammation, acid inhibition and gastroduodenal disease risk in response to H. pylori infection. Although polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A have been reported to relate well with gastric cancer and peptic ulcer risk, those of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 genes are unclear. In combined analyses using data from previous stud- ies, we found that the risk of gastric non-cardia cancer development was significantly associated with IL-4-168 C allele (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.69-1.00) and IL-4-590 T allele carrier status (0.61, 0.53-0.73), and IL-6-174 G/G genotype (2.02, 1.31-3.10). In peptic ulcer development, IL-2-330 G and IL-4-590 T allele carriers had a significantly decreased risk (0.37, 0.27-0.50 and 0.58, 0.34-0.99, respectively). Moreover, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 gene genotypes prevalence differs among popula- tions. The inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms (e.g. IL-4 -590 and IL-6 -572 for gastric cancer, and IL-4-590, IL-6-572 and IL-8-251 for peptic ulcer) have a more potent influence on development of gastroduo- denal diseases in Western than East Asian populations. These cytokine gene polymorphisms, as well as those of IL-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A, may be used to identify groups at higher risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer, and those suitable for their prevention by H. pylori eradication therapy in Western populations..02, 1.31-3.10). In peptic ulcer development, IL-2-330 G and IL-4-590 T allele carriers had a significantly decreased risk (0.37, 0.27-0.50 and 0.58, 0.34-0.99, respectively). Moreover, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-8 gene genotypes prevalence differs among populations. The inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms (e.g. IL-4 -590 and IL-6 -572 for gastric cancer, and IL-4-590, IL-6-572 and IL-8-251 for peptic ulcer) have a more potent influence on development of gastroduo-denal diseases in Western than East Asian populations. These cytokine gene polymorphisms, as well as those of IL-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A, may be used to identify groups at higher risk of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer, and those suitable for their prevention by H. pylori eradication therapy in Western populations.

Role of transcatheter arterial embolization for massive bleeding from gastroduodenal ulcers

Intractable bleeding from gastric and duodenal ulcers is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Aggressive treatment with early endoscopic hemostasis is essential for a favourable outcome. In as many as 12%-17% of patients,endoscopy is either not available or unsuccessful. Endovascular therapy with selective catheterization of the culprit vessel and injection of embolic material has emerged as an alternative to emergent operative intervention in high-risk patients. There has not been a systematic literature review to assess the role for embolotherapy in the treatment of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding from gastroduo-denal ulcers after failed endoscopic hemostasis. Here,we present an overview of indications,techniques,and clinical outcomes after endovascular embolization of acute peptic-ulcer bleeding. Topics of particular relevance to technical and clinical success are also discussed. Our review shows that transcatheter arterial embolization is a safe alternative to surgery for massive gastroduodenal bleeding that is refractory to endoscopic treatment,can be performed with high technical and clinical success rates,and should be considered the salvage treatment of choice in patients at high surgical risk.

Upper-gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to peptic ulcer disease:Incidence and outcomes

AIM: To evaluate the incidence, surgery, mortality, and readmission of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) secondary to peptic ulcer disease (PUD).

Optimal injection volume of epinephrine for endoscopic treatment of peptic ulcer bleedinq

AIM： To define the optimal injection volume of epinephrine with high efficacy for hemostasis and low complication rate in patients with actively bleeding ulcers. METHODS： This prospective, randomized, comparative trial was conducted in a medical center. A total of 228 patients with actively bleeding ulcers （spurting or oozing） were randomly assigned to three groups with 20, 30 and 40 mL endoscopic injections of an 1：10000 solution of epinephrine. The hemostatic effects and clinical outcomes were compared between the three groups. RESULTS： There were no significant differences in all background variables between the three groups. Initial hemostasis was achieved in 97.4%, 98.7% and 100% of patients respectively in the 20, 30 and 40 mL epinephrine groups. There were no significant differences in the rate of initial hemostasis between the three groups. The rate of peptic ulcer perforation was significantly higher in the 40 mL epinephrine group than in the 20 and 30 mL epinephrine groups （P 〈 0.05）. The rate of recurrent bleeding was significantly higher in the 20 mL epinephrine group （20.3%） than in the 30 （5.3%） and 40 mL （2.8 %） epinephrine groups （P 〈 0.01）. There were no significant differences in the rates of surgical intervention, the amount of transfusion requirements, the days of hospitalization, the deaths from bleeding and 30 d mortality between the three groups. The number of patients who developed epigastric pain due to endoscopic injection, was significantly higher in the 40 mL epinephrine group （51/76） than in the 20 （2/76） and 30 mL （5/76） epinephrine groups （P 〈 0.001）. Significant elevation of systolic blood pressure after endoscopic injection was observed in the 40 mL epinephrine group （P 〈 0.01）. Significant decreasing and normalization of pulse rates after endoscopic injections were observed in the 20 mL and 30 mL epinephrine groups （P 〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION： Injection of 30 mL diluted epinephrine （1：10000） can effectively prevent recurrent bleeding with a low rate of complications. The optimal injection volume of epinephrine for endoscopic treatment of an actively bleeding ulcer （spurting or oozing） is 30 mL.