Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori

AIM: To study the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in a group of type 2 diabetes and compared it with an age and sex matched non-diabetic group.METHODS: 40 diabetic patients (21 females, 19 males;56±7 years) and 40 non-diabetic dyspeptic patients (20females, 20 males; 54±9 years) were evaluated. Diabetic patients with dyspeptic complaints were referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopies; 2 corpus and 2 antral gastric biopsy specimens were performed on each patient. Patients with positive Hp results on histopathological examination comprised the study group. Non-diabetic dyspeptic patients seen at the Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinic and with the same biopsy and treatment protocol formed the control group.A triple therapy with amoxycillin (1 g b.i.d), clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d) and omeprazole (20 mg b.i.d.) was given to both groups for 10 days. Cure was defined as the absence of Hp infection assessed by corpus and antrum biopsies in control upper gastrointestinal endoscopies performed 6weeks after completing the antimicrobial therapy.RESULTS: The eradication rate was 50 % in the diabetic group versus 85 % in the non-diabetic control group (P＜0.001).CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetic patients showed a significantly lower eradication rate than controls which may be due to changes in microvasculature of the stomach and to frequent antibiotic usage because of recurrent bacterial infections with the development of resistant strains.

Significant factors associated with fatal outcome in emergency open surgery for perforated peptic ulcer

AIM:To evaluate the main factors associated with mortality in patients undergoing surgery for perforated peptic ulcer referred to an academic department of general surgery in a large southern Italian city. METHODS:One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients (M:F ratio=110:39,mean age 52 yrs,range 16-95) with peptic ulcer disease were investigated for clinical history (including age,sex,previous history of peptic ulcer,associated diseases,delayed abdominal surgery,ulcer site,operation type,shock on admission,postoperative general complications, and intra-abdominal and/or wound infections),serum analyses and radiological findings. RESULTS:The overall mortality rate was 4.0%.Among all factors,an age above 65 years,one or more associated diseases,delayed abdominal surgery,shock on admission, postoperative abdominal complications and/or wound infections,were significantly associated (x^2) with increased mortality in patients undergoing surgery (0.0001<P<0.03). CONCLUSION:Factors such as concomitant diseases,shock on admission,delayed surgery,and postoperative abdominal and wound infections are significantly associated with fatal outcomes and need careful evaluation within the general workup of patients admitted for perforated peptic ulcer.

Dysentery caused by Balantidium coliin a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from Turkey

Balantidium coli is the only parasitic ciliate of man. It is a flattened oval organism covered with cilia, and a gullet at the anterior end. It is infrequently pathogenic for man,although epidemic buds in tropical zones have been described. The infection fundamentally affects the colon and causes variable clinic pictures, from asymptomatic to serious dysenteric forms. We present a case of parasitologically diagnosed as causes of diarrhea in a patient with non Hodgkin's lymphoma from Turkey.In order to find out the causative etiologic agent of diarrhea,stool samples were examined by native,lugol and flotation methods and we detected moving trophozoites, which were approximately 60μm long and 35μm wide.These bodies were diagnosed as Balantidium coli This case underlines that Balantidium coli should also be considered as a possible pathogen in immunocompromised patients with diarrhea.

A case of enterolith small bowel obstruction and jejunal diverticulosis

We reported a case of 79-year old woman with known large bowel diverticulosis presenting with small bowel obstruction due to stone impaction - found on plain abdominal X-ray.Contrast studies demonstrated small bowel diverticulosis.At laparotomy, the gall bladder was normal with no stones and no abnormal communication with small bowel - excluding the possibility of a gallstone ileus. Analysis of the stone revealed a composition of bile pigments and calcium oxalate.This was a rare case of small bowel obstruction due to enterolith formation - made distinctive by calcification (previously unreported in the proximal small bowel).

Side effects of budesonide in liver cirrhosis due to chronic autoimmune hepatitis: Influence of hepatic metabolism versus portosystemic shunts on a patient complicated with HCC

AIM:To investigate the systemic availability of budesonide in a patient with Child A cirrhosis due to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary hepatocellular carcinoma,who developed serious side effects. METHODS:Serum levels of budesonide,6β-OH-budesonide and 16α-OH-prednisolon were measured by HPLC/MS/MS; portosystemic shunt-index (SI) was determined by 99mTc nuclear imaging.All values were compared with a matched control patient without side effects. RESULTS:Serum levels of budesonide were 13-fold increased in the index patient.The ratio between serum levels of the metabolites 6β-OH-budesonide and 16α-OH- prednisolone,respectively,and serum levels of budesonide was diminished (1.0 vs.4.0 for 6β-OH-budesonide,4.2 vs. 10.7 for 16α-OH-prednisolone).Both patients had portosystemic SI (5.7 % and 3.1%) within the range of healthy subjects.CONCLUSION:Serum levels of budesonide Vary uP to 13-fold in AIH Patients with Child A eirrhosis in the absenee ofrelevant Portosystemic shunting.Redueed hePatiemetabolism,as indicated by redueed metabolite-to-drugratio,rather than Portosystemie shunting may explainsystemic side effects of this drug in cirrhosis

Impact of comorbidities on the severity of chronic hepatitis B at presentation

AIM:To evaluate the clinical relevance of each cofactor on clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis B.METHODS:Out of 1366 hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) positive subjects consecutively observed in 79 Italian hospitals,53(4.3%) showed as the only cofactor hepatitis D virus(HDV) infection [hepatitis B virus(HBV)/HDV group],130(9.5%) hepatitis C virus(HCV)(group HBV/HCV),6(0.4%) human immunodeficiencyvirus(HIV)(group HBV/HIV),138(10.2%) alcohol abuse(group HBV/alcohol);109(8.0%) subjects had at least two cofactors and 924 were in the cofactor-free(CF) group.RESULTS:Compared with patients in group CF those in group HBV/alcohol were older and more frequently had cirrhosis(P < 0.001),those in group HBV/HDV were younger(P < 0.001),more frequently resided in the south of the country and had cirrhosis(P <0.001),those in group HBV/HCV were older(P < 0.001) and more frequently had cirrhosis(P < 0.001).These cofactors were all independent predictors of liver cirrhosis in HBsAg positive patients.Multivariate analysis showed that an older age [odds ratio(OR) 1.06,95% CI:1.05-1.08],alcohol abuse with more than 8 drinks daily(OR 2.89,95% CI:1.81-4.62) and anti-HDV positivity(OR 3.48,95% CI:2.16-5.58) are all independently associated with liver cirrhosis.This association was found also for anti-HCV positivity in univariate analysis,but it was no longer associated(OR 1.23,95% CI:0.84-1.80) at multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION:Older age,HDV infection and alcohol abuse are the major determinants of severe liver disease in chronic HBV infection,while HCV replication plays a lesser role in the severity of hepatic damage.

Comorbidity in inflammatory bowel disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be affected by other unrelated diseases. These are called comorbid conditions, and can include any secondary health problem that affects a person suffering from a primary or main disease, and which is neither linked physiopathologically to the primary condition, nor is it due to the treatments used for the primary condition or to its long-term anatomical or physiological consequences. Different comorbid conditions, as well as their influence on IBD, are discussed.

Heart valve disease in elderly Chinese population： effect of advanced age and comorbidities on treatment decision-making and outcomes

Background A considerable proportion of elderly patients with symptomatic severe heart valve disease are treated conservatively de- spite clear indications for surgical intervention. However, little is known about how advanced age and comorbidities affect treatment deci-sion-making and therapeutic outcomes. Methods Patients （n = 234, mean age： 78.5 ± 3.7 years） with symptomatic severe heart valve dis- ease hospitalized in our center were included. One hundred and fifty-one patients （65%） were treated surgically （surgical group） and 83 （35%） were treated conservatively （conservative group）. Factors that affected therapeutic decision-making and treatment outcomes were investi- gated and long-term survival was explored. Results Isolated aortic valve disease, female sex, chronic renal insufficiency, aged _〉 80 years, pneumonia, and emergent status were independent factors associated with therapeutic decision-making. In-hospital mortality for the surgical group was 5.3% （8/151）. Three patients （3.6%） in the conservative group died during initial hospitalization. Low cardiac output syndrome and chronic renal insufficiency were identified as predictors of in-hospital mortality in the surgical group. Conservative treatment was identi- fied as the single risk factor for late death in the entire study population. The surgical group had better 5-year （77.2% vs. 45.4%, P 〈 0.0001） and 10-year （34.5% vs. 8.9%, P 〈 0.0001） survival rates than the conservative group, even when adjusted by propensity score-matched analysis. Conclusions Advanced age and geriatric comorbidities profoundly affect treatment decision-making for severe heart valve disease. Valve surgery in the elderly was not only safe but was also associated with good long-term survival while conservative treatment was unfavorable for patients with symptomatic severe valve disease.

Hepatitis C comorbidities affecting the course and response to therapy

Several studies have demonstrated that the outcome of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection is profoundly influenced by a variety of comorbidities. Many of these comorbidities have a significant influence on the response to antiviral therapy. These comorbidities negatively affect the course and outcome of liver disease, often reducing the chance of achieving a sustained virological response with PEGylated interferon and ribavirin treatments. Comorbidities affecting response to antiviral therapy reduce compliance and adherence to inadequate doses of therapy. The most important comorbidities affecting the course of CHC include hepatitis B virus coinfection, metabolic syndrome, and intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Comorbidities affecting the course and response to therapy include schistosomiasis, iron overload, alcohol abuse, and excessive smoking. Comorbidities affecting response to antiviral therapy include depression, anemia, cardiovascular disease, and renal failure.

Bouveret's syndrome complicated by a distal gallstone ileus

AIM:Gastric outlet obstruction caused by duodenal impaction of a large gallstone migrated through a cholecystoduodenal fistula has been referred as Bouveret's syndrome.Endoscopic lithotomy is the first-step treatment, however,surgery is indicated in case of failure or complication during this procedure. METHODS:We report herein an 84-year-old woman presenting with features of gastric outlet obstruction due to impacted gallstone.She underwent an endoscopic retrieval which was unsuccessful and was further complicated by distal gallstone ileus.Physical examination was irrelevant. RESULTS:Endoscopy revealed multiple erosions around the cardia,a large stone in the second part of the duodenum causing complete obstruction,and wide ulceration in the duodenal wall where the stone was impacted.Several attempts of endoscopic extraction by using foreign body forceps failed and surgical intervention was mandatory.Preoperative ultrasound evidenced pneumobilia whilst computerized tomography showed a large stone,5 cm×4 cm×3 cm,logging at the proximal jejunum and another one,2.5 cm×2 cm×2 cm, in the duodenal bulb causing a closed-loop syndrome.She underwent laparotomy and the jejunal stone was removed by enterotomy.Another stone reported as located in the duodenum preoperatively was found to be present in the gallbladder by intraoperative ultrasound.Therefore, cholecystoduodenal fistula was broken down,the stone was retrieved and cholecystectomy with duodenal repair was carried out.She was discharged after an uneventful postoperative course.CONCLUSION: As the simplest and the least morbid procedure, endoscopic stone retrieval should be attempted in the treatment of patients with Bouveret's syndrome.When it fails, surgical lithotomy consisting of simple enterotomy may solve the problem. Although cholecystectomy and cholecystoduodenal fistula breakdown is unnecessary

Risk factors and prevention of biliary anastomotic complications in adult living donor liver transplantation

To evaluate risk factors of biliary anastomotic complications （BACs） and outcomes according to type of biliary reconstruction. METHODS： A total of 33 consecutive adult living donor liver transplantation （LDLT） were reviewed, 17 of which had undergone Duct-to-Duct anastomosis （D-D）. The remaining 16 patients received Roux-en-Y anastomosis （R-Y）. The perioperative factors, such as the type of graft and the number of graft bile ducts, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS： The overall incidence of BACs was 39.4%. The incidence of BACs was significantly higher in the patients with than without neoadjuvant chemotherapy （71.4% vs 10%, P = 0.050）. There was no significant difference in the incidence of biliary leakage in patients with D-D vs. those with R-Y. The incidence of biliary strictures following the healing of biliary leakage was significantly higher in D-D （60%） than in R-Y （0%） （P = 0.026）. However, the incidence of BACs related bacteremia was significantly higher in R-Y than in D-D （71.4% vs 0%, P = 0.008）. In D-D, use of T-tube stent remarkably reduced the incidence of 8ACs, compared with straight tube stent （0% vs 50%, P = 0.049）. CONCLUSION： Our experience showed an increase of BACs related bacteremia in the patients with R-Y. Therefore, D-D might be a preferred biliary reconstruction. However, the surgical refinement of D-D should be required because of the high incidence of biliary strictures. Use of the T-tube stent might lead to a significant reduction of BACs in D-D.

Gastric cancer occurring in a patient with Plummer-Vinson syndrome: A case report

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (sideropenic dysphagia) is characterized by dysphagia due to an upper esophageal or hypopharyngeal web in patients with chronic iron deficiency anemia. The main cause of dysphagia is the presence of the web in the cervical esophagus,and abnormal motility of the pharynx or esophagus is also found to play a significant role in this condition.This syndrome is thought to be precancerous because squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx, oral cavity or esophagus takes place in 10% of those patients suffering from this malady, but it is even more unusual that Plummer-Vinson syndrome should be accompanied by gastric cancer. We have reported here a case of a43-year-old woman with Plummer-Vinson syndrome who developed stomach cancer and recovered after a radical total gastrectomy with D2 nodal dissection.

Geriatric cardiology and the Great Wall International Congress of Cardiology 2015

The burgeoning geriatric population worldwide has resulted in an unprecedented challenge to the cardiology community. Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population, but its recognition and management are characteristically confounded by substantial comorbidities, polypharmacy, and other complexities of care, not encountered in younger cardiac patients.

Medical comorbidities at admission is predictive for 30-day in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction： analysis of 5161 cases

Background The present study investigated the prognostic value of medical comorbidities at admission for 30-day in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction （AMI）. Methods A total of 5161 patients with AMI were admitted in Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 2007. Medical comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction, valvular heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）, renal insufficiency, previous stroke, atrial fibrillation and anemia, were identified at admission. The patients were divided into 4 groups based on the number of medical comorbidities at admission （0, 1, 2, and ≥3）. Cox regression analysis was used to calculate relative risk （RR） and 95% confidence intervals （CI）, with adjustment for age, sex, heart failure and percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI）. Results The mean age of the studied population was 63.9 ± 13.6 years, and 80.1% of the patients were male. In 74.6% of the patients at least one comorbidity were identified. Hypertension （50.7%）, diabetes mellitus （24.0%） and previous myocardial infarction （12%） were the leading common comorbidities at admission. The 30-day in-hospital mortality in patients with 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 comorbidities at admission （7.2%） was 4.9%, 7.2%, 11.1%, and 20.3%, respectively. The presence of 2 or more comorbidities was associated with higher 30-day in-hospital mortality compared with patients without comorbidity （RR： 1.41, 95% CI： 1.13-1.77, P = 0.003, and RR： 1.95, 95% CI： 1.59-2.39, P = 0.000, respectively）. Conclusions Medical comorbidities were frequently found in patients with AMI. AMI patients with more comorbidities had a higher 30-day in-hospital mortality might be predictive of early poor outcome in patients with AMI.

Association between gamete source, exposure and preeclampsia: A review of literature

Preeclampsia complicates 3%-5% of pregnancies and is one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. The pathologic mechanisms are well described but despite decades of research, the exact etiology of preeclampsia remains poorly understood. For years it was believed that the etiology of preeclampsia was the result of maternal factors, but recent evidence suggests that preeclampsia may be a couple specific disease where the interplay between both female and male factors plays an important role. Recent studies have suggested a complex etiologic mechanism that includes genetic imprinting, immune maladaptation, placental ischemia and generalized endothelial dysfunction. The immunological hypothesis suggests exaggerated maternal response against fetal antigens. While the role of maternal exposure to new paternal antigens in the development of preeclampsia was the initial focus of research in this area, studies examining pregnancy outcomes in pregnancies from donor oocytes provide intriguingly similar findings. The pregnancies that resulted from male or female donor gametes or donor embryos bring new insight into the role of immune response to new antigens in pathogenesis ofpreeclampsia. The primary goal of the current review is the role of exposure to new gametes on the development of preeclampsia. The objective was therefore to provide a review of current literature on the role of cohabitation length, semen exposure and gamete source in development of preeclampsia.

Pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy:Evolving definitions,preventive strategies and modern management

Pancreatic resection is the treatment of choice for pancreatic malignancy and certain benign pancreatic disorders. However, pancreatic resection is technically a demanding procedure and whereas mortality after a pancreaticoduodenectomy is currently < 3%-5% in experienced high-volume centers, post-operative morbidity is considerable, about 30%-50%. At present, the single most significant cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreatectomy is the development of pancreatic leakage and fistula (PF). The occurrence of a PF increases the length of hospital stay and the cost of treatment, requires additional investigations and procedures, and can result in life-threatening complications. There is no universally accepted definition of PF that would allow standardized reporting and proper comparison of outcomes between different centers. However, early recognition of a PF and prompt institution of appropriate treatment is critical to the prevention of potentially devastating consequences. The present article, reviews the evolution of post resection pancreatic fistula as a concept, and discusses evolving definitions, the current preventive strategies and the management of this problem.

Clinical significance of hepatic derangement in severe acute respiratory syndrome

AIM:Elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is commonly seen among patients suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We report the progression and clinical significance of liver derangement in a large cohort of SARS patient. METHODS: Serial assay of serum ALT was followed in patients who fulfilled the WHO criteria of SARS. Those with elevated ALT were compared with those with normal liver functions for clinical outcome. Serology for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was checked. Adverse outcomes were defined as oxygen desaturation, need of intensive care unit (ICU) and mechanical ventilation and death. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-four patients were included in this study. Seventy (24%) patients had elevated serum ALT on admission and 204 (69%) patients had elevated ALT during the subsequent course of illness. Using peak ALT >5xULN as a cut-off and after adjusting for potential confounding factors, the odds ratio of peak ALT >5x ULN for oxygen desaturation was 3.24 (95%CI 1.23-8.59, P= 0.018), ICU care was 3.70 (95%CI 1.38-9.89, P= 0.009), mechanical ventilation was 6.64 (95%CI 2.22-19.81, P = 0.001) and death was 7.34 (95%CI 2.28-24.89, P= 0.001). Ninety-three percent of the survived patients had ALT levels normalized or were on the improving trend during follow-up. Chronic hepatitis B was not associated with worse clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Reactive hepatitis is a common complication of SARS-coronavirus infection. Those patients with severe hepatitis had worse clinical outcome.

Simultaneous laparoscopic multi-organ resection combined with colorectal cancer:Comparison with non-combined surgery

AIM: To access the short-term outcomes of simultaneous laparoscopic surgery combined with resection for synchronous lesions in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS: Between March 1996 and April 2010 prospectively collected data were reviewed from 93 consecutive patients who had colorectal cancer and underwent simultaneous multiple organ resection (combined group) and 1090 patients who underwent conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy or laparoscopic low/ anterior resection for colorectal cancer (non-combined group). In the combined group, there were nine gastric resections, three nephrectomies, nine adrenalectomies, 56 cholecystectomies, and 21 gynecologic resections. In addition, f ive patients underwent simultaneous laparoscopic resection for three organs. The patient demographics, intra-operative outcomes, surgical morbidity, and short-term outcomes were compared between thetwo groups (the combined and non-combined groups). RESULTS: There were no signifi cant differences in the clinicopathological variables between the two groups. The operating time was signifi cantly longer in the combined group than in the non-combined group, regardless of tumor location (laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and laparoscopic low/anterior resection groups; P = 0.048 and P < 0.001, respectively). The other intraoperative outcomes, such as the complications and open conversion rate, were similar in both groups. The rate of post-operative morbidity in the combined group was similar to the non-combined group (combined vs non-combined, 15.1% vs 13.5%, P = 0.667). Oncological safety for the colon and synchronous lesions were obtained in the combined group. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous laparoscopic multiple organ resection combined with colorectal cancer is a safe and feasible option in selected patients.

Is the severity of obstructive sleep apnea or the magnitude of respiratory effort associated with gastroesophageal reflux?

In a recent issue ot World Journal of Gastroenterology, Demeter et al., reported that in patients having both gastro-esophageal reflux disease （GERD） and obstructive sleep apnea （OSA）, there was a positive correlation between endoscopic findings of GERD and the number of apneas and hypopneas per hour, namely apnea hypopnea index. They proposed that the severity of OSA and GERD are parallel to each other. The study of Demeter and colleagues is very important, not only for assessing reflux-induced esophageal damage in OSA,