Prevalence of linked angina and gastroesophageal reflux disease in general practice

AIM: To evaluate the association between gastroesophageal re? ux diseases (GERD) and coronary heart diseases. METHODS: One thousand nine hundred and seventy consecutive patients who attended our hospital were enrolled. All of the patients who first attend our hospital were asked to respond to the F-scale questionnaire regardless of their chief complaints. All patients had a careful history taken, and resting echocardiography (ECG) was performed by physicians if the diagnostic necessity arose. Patients with ECG signs of coronary artery ischemia were defined as STsegment depression based on the Minnesota code. RESULTS: Among 712 patients (36%) with GERD, ECG was performed in 171 (24%), and ischemic changes were detected in eight (5%). Four (50%) of these patients with abnormal findings upon ECG had no chest symptoms such as chest pain, chest oppression, or palpitations. These patients (0.6%; 4/712) were thought to have non-GERD heartburn, which may be related to ischemic heart disease. Of 281 patients who underwent ECG and did not have GERD symptoms, 20 (7%) had abnormal findings upon ECG. In patients with GERD symptoms and ECG signs of coronary artery ischemia, the prevalence of linked angina was considered to be 0.4% (8/1970 patients).CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that ischemic heart disease might be found although a patient was referred to the hospital with a complaint of GERD symptoms. Physicians have to be concerned about missing clinically important coronary artery disease while evaluating patients for GERD symptoms.

Effects of ethanol and sex on propionate metabolism evaluated via a faster ^(13)C-propionate breath test in rats

BACKGROUND Alcoholism is regarded as a risk factor for vitamin B_(12)(VB_(12))deficiency.Because V B_(12) serves as a coenzyme of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase,a key enzyme in propionate metabolism,the ^(13)C-propionate breath test(PBT)has been studied as a non-invasive diagnostic modality for VB_(12) deficiency.However,the conventional PBT requires 2 h,which is inconvenient in clinical practice.We hypothesized that a faster PBT can be used to evaluate propionate metabolism and is more easily adaptable for clinical practice.AIM To evaluate a faster PBT for assessing the effects of long-term ethanol consumption on propionate metabolism in ethanol-fed rats(ERs).METHODS ERs were obtained by replacing standard drinking water(for control rats,CRs)with 16%ethanol solution in descendants of F344/DuCrj rats.Faster PBT was performed by administering ^(13)C-propionate aqueous solution to male and female ERs and CRs by inserting a metal tubule from the mouth to the stomach;exhaled gas was collected in a bag to measure its ^(13)CO_(2)/12CO_(2) isotope ratio via infrared isotope spectrometry.Serum VB_(12) and alanine transaminase(ALT)levels were measured via chemiluminescence immunoassay and the lactate dehydrogenaseultraviolet method,respectively.We evaluated statistical differences in mean body weight,change in ^(13)CO_(2)(Δ^(13)CO_(2)‰),peakΔ^(13)CO_(2)‰,and serum VB_(12) and ALT,between males and females and between ERs and CRs using the t-test and Mann-Whitney U test for normally and non-normally distributed variables,respectively.RESULTS Males weighed significantly more than females(P<0.001);CRs weighed significantly more than ERs(P<0.008).Δ^(13)CO_(2) reached a peak(C_(max))at 20 min and 30 min in females and males,respectively,decreasing after 20-30 min without rebound in all groups.Males had significantly higher C_(max) andΔ^(13)CO_(2) at 15-45 min than females(P<0.05;for all pairs).Propionate metabolism was enhanced in male ERs relative to male CRs,whereas metabolism did not differ markedly between ERs and CRs for females.Males had higher serum VB_(12) levels than females,without prominent differences between the ER and CR groups.Male CRs had notably higher ALT levels than male ERs.Thus,chronic ethanol consumption may trigger fatty acid production via intestinal bacteria and changes in gut microbiome composition.CONCLUSION Faster PBT shows that 16%ethanol consumption promotes propionate metabolism without inducing liver injury.This PBT may be used clinically to evaluate gut flora status.

Clinical differentiation of acute appendicitis and right colonic diverticulitis: A case-control study

BACKGROUND Acute right colonic diverticulitis (ARCD) is an important differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis (AA) in Asian countries because of the unusually high prevalence of right colonic diverticula. Due to qualitative improvement and the high penetration rate of computed tomography (CT) scanning in Japan, differentiation of ARCD and AA mainly depends on this modality. But cost, limited availability, and concern for radiation exposure make CT scanning problematic. Differential findings of ARCD from AA are based on several small studies that used univariate comparisons from Korea and Taiwan. Previous studies on clinical and laboratory differences between AA and ARCD are limited. AIM To determine clinical differences between AA and ARCD for differentiation of these two diagnoses by creating a logistic regression model. METHODS We performed an exploratory single-center retrospective case-control study evaluating 369 Japanese patients (age ≥ 16 years), 236 (64.0%) with AA and 133 (36.0%) with ARCD, who were hospitalized between 2012 and 2016. Diagnoses were confirmed by CT images. We compared age, sex, onset-to-visit interval, epigastric/periumbilical pain, right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, medical history, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, RLQ tenderness, peritoneal signs, leukocyte count, and levels of serum creatinine, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum alanine aminotrans-ferase. We subsequently performed logistic regression analysis for differentiating AA from ARCD based on the results of the univariate analyses.RESULTS In the AA and ARCD groups, median ages were 35.5 and 41.0 years, respectively (p=0.011);median onset-to-visit intervals were 1 [interquartile range (IQR): 0-1] and 2 (IQR: 1-3) days, respectively (P < 0.001);median leukocyte counts were 12600 and 11500/mm3, respectively (P = 0.002);and median CRP levels were 1.1 (IQR: 0.2-4.1) and 4.9 (IQR: 2.9-8.5) mg/dL, respectively (P < 0.001). In the logistic regression model, odds ratios (ORs) were significantly high in nausea/vomiting (OR: 3.89, 95%CI: 2.04-7.42) and anorexia (OR: 2.13, 95%CI: 1.06-4.28). ORs were significantly lower with a longer onset-to-visit interval (OR: 0.84, 95%CI: 0.72- 0.97), RLQ pain (OR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.11-0.71), history of diverticulitis (OR: 0.034, 95%CI: 0.005-0.20), and CRP level > 3.0 mg/dL (OR: 0.25, 95%CI: 0.14-0.43). The regression model showed good calibration, discrimination, and optimism. CONCLUSION Clinical findings can differentiate AA and ARCD before imaging studies;nausea/vomiting and anorexia suggest AA, and longer onset-to-visit interval, RLQ pain, previous diverticulitis, and CRP level > 3.0 mg/dL suggest ARCD.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease symptoms are more common in general practice in Japan

AIM: To accurately assess the prevalence of GERD symptoms in general practice. METHODS: 4139 consecutive patients (2025 men and 2114 women with a mean age of 43 years), who fi rst attended the Outpatient Department of General Medicine and Emergency Care at Toho University Omori Hospital, were asked to respond to the F-scale questionnaire regardless of their chief complaints. The questionnaire is a self-report instrument, written in a simple and easy-to-understand language, containing 12 questions. RESULTS: Of 4139 subjects, 1554 patients (37.6%) were identifi ed as GERD according to their F-scale score (> 7). However, there were only 45 consultations (1.1%) for typical GERD symptoms. Although GERD symptoms are common in adults of all ages, the prevalence of GERD was highest in the 20-29 years age group and the age group 70-79 years had the lowest prevalence for both males and females. CONCLUSION: Although there was a high rate indicating GERD in our primary care population, only 1.1% of outpatients attended our hospital with a chief complaint of GERD symptoms. Since about one-third of GERD patients are affected by atypical symptoms, general physicians need to be cautious about extrapolating these results to patients with a chief complaint other than typical GERD symptoms.

Right recumbent position on gastric emptying of water evidenced by ^(13)C breath testing

AIM:To compare the impact of the right recumbent position with the sitting position on gastric emptying of water. METHODS:In eight healthy male volunteers,the 13C acetate breath test was performed twice to assess gastric emptying of 100 mL tap water.Subjects were seated in one test and lying on their right side in the other.In both positions,pulmonary 13CO2 exhalation curves were obtained by plotting breath data against time.Percent gastric retention curves were created by analyzing data using the Wagner-Nelson protocol. RESULTS:No significant posture effect was found in pulmonary 13CO2 output curves(P=0.2150),whereas a significant effect was seen in gastric retention curves (P=0.0315).The percent retention values at 10 min and 15 min were significantly smaller when subjects were in the right recumbent position compared with the seated position(P<0.05).Our results verified the accelerating effect of the right recumbent position on gastric emptying of non-nutritive solutions.Concerning clinical implications,this study suggests that placing patients with acute pain on their right side after oral administration of analgesic drugs in solution is justified as an effective practice for rapid pain relief.For patients with gastrointestinal reflux symptoms,sleeping in the right recumbent position may reduce nocturnal symptoms,as delayed gastric emptying can cause reflux symptoms. CONCLUSION:Gastric emptying of water occurs more quickly when a subject lies on the right side compared with sitting.

Hydrogen and methane gases are frequently detected in the stomach

瞄准：由使用胃内氢和甲烷气体镇定、分析的一个新内视镜的在方法在胃调查细菌的增生的发生。方法：研究在经历食管胃镜检查的 490 个连续病人被执行。在内视镜检查法，我们把管子插进没有通货膨胀的胃坐飞机，并且胃内气体的 20 mL 用 30 mL 注射通过活体检视隧道被收集。胃内氢和甲烷集中被煤气的层析立即测量。H pylori 感染被血清学也决定。结果：大多数胃内氢和甲烷层次是不到 15 ppm (兆比率) 。中部的氢和甲烷价值(内部 quartile 范围) 是 3 (1-8 ) ppm 并且 2 (1-5 ) ppm 分别地。为发酵的指示的高氢和甲烷层次被决定病人是否有在各个的超过 90 百分位数范围取样的价值。当一个病人在至少一件样品有氢或甲烷的高水平时，病人被认为有发酵。胃内发酵的全面发生是 15.4%(73/473 ) 。胃内甲烷层次比在另外的组在手术后的组是更高的。任何一个吝啬的氢或甲烷价值都不与 H pylori 感染有关。结论：氢和甲烷气体是经常比期望在胃检测的更多，不管腹的症状的存在。对在禁食胃的生产甲烷的细菌的生长的以前的胃的外科影响。

Seventy-five gram glucose tolerance test to assess carbohydrate malabsorption and small bowel bacterial overgrowth

瞄准：non-invasively 在口头的葡萄糖耐量测试(OGTT ) 期间在糖尿病的病人调查糖类的吸收的发生并且决定吸收不良是否可以与胰岛素分泌物和抗胰岛素性被联系。方法：标准 75-g OGTT 在 82 个糖尿病的病人被执行。病人在一夜的禁食以后在水的 225 mL 收到了无水的葡萄糖的 75 g，呼吸样品在摄取以后在基线和多达 120 min 是镇定的。呼吸氢和甲烷集中被测量。血葡萄糖和浆液胰岛素集中在摄取前并且在 30 点被测量， 60， 90， 120 min 摄取以后。结果：当糖类吸收不良在一个 2-h 时期以内随氢或甲烷排泄的至少 10 ppm (兆比率) 的增加被定义为题目时，(34%) 28 有糖类吸收不良。根据增加的呼吸测试的结果， 21 (75%) 病人们作为小肠被分类细菌的增生并且 7 (25%) 是葡萄糖吸收不良。没有糖类吸收不良，有糖类吸收不良的病人作为与那些相比是更旧、有的差的 glycemic 控制。HOMA 价值，浆液胰岛素的和在有糖类吸收不良的病人在测试和三角洲胰岛素 / 三角洲葡萄糖比率期间是更大的。结论：如果病人有糖类吸收不良，抗胰岛素性可以被使用这些标记过高估计，否则那糖类吸收不良可能在抗胰岛素性的发展以前是在场的。因此糖类吸收不良应该为估计抗胰岛素性和贝它房间功能被考虑。

Clinical prediction of complicated appendicitis:A case-control study utilizing logistic regression

BACKGROUND Since high-quality evidence on conservative treatment of acute appendicitis using antibiotics has increased,differentiation of patients with complicated appendicitis(CA)from those with simple appendicitis(SA)has become increasingly important.Previous studies have revealed that male gender,advanced age,comorbid conditions,prehospital delay,fever,and anorexia are risk factors of perforated appendicitis.Elevated serum C-reactive protein(CRP)level and hyponatremia have also been reported as predictive biomarkers of CA.However,confounding between various factors is problematic because most previous studies were limited to univariate analysis.AIM To evaluate non-laboratory and laboratory predictive factors of CA using logistic regression analyses.METHODS We performed an exploratory,single-center,retrospective case-control study that evaluated 198 patients(83.9%)with SA and 38 patients(16.1%)with CA.Diagnoses were confirmed by computed tomography images for all cases.We compared age,sex,onset-to-visit interval,epigastric/periumbilical pain,right lower quadrant pain,nausea/vomiting,diarrhea,anorexia,medical history(of previous non-surgically treated appendicitis,diabetes,hypertension,dyslipidemia,liver cirrhosis,hemodialysis,chronic lung diseases,malignant tumors,immunosuppressant use,and antiplatelet use),vital signs,physical findings,and laboratory data to select the explanatory variates for logistic regression.Based on the univariate comparisons,we performed logistic regression for clinical differentiation between CA and SA using only nonlaboratory factors and also including both non-laboratory and laboratory factors.RESULTS The 236 eligible patients consisted of 198 patients(83.9%)with SA and 38 patients(16.1%)with CA.The median ages were 34 years old[interquartile ranges(IR),24-45 years]in the SA group and 49 years old(IR,35-63 years)in the CA group(P<0.001).The median onset-to-visit interval was 1 d(IR,0-1)and 1 d(IR,1-2)in the SA and CA groups,respectively(P<0.001).Heart rate,body temperature,and serum CRP level in the CA group were significantly higher than in the SA group;glomerular filtration rate and serum sodium were significantly lower in the CA group.Anorexia was significantly more prevalent in the CA group.The regression model including age,onset-to-visit interval,anorexia,tachycardia,and fever as non-laboratory predictive factors of CA(Model 1)showed that age≥65 years old,longer onset-to-visit interval,and anorexia had significantly high odds ratios.The logistic regression for prediction of CA including age,onset-to-visit interval,anorexia,serum CRP level,hyponatremia(serum sodium<135 mEq/L),and glomerular filtration rate<60 mL/min/1.73 m2(Model 2)showed that only elevated CRP levels had significantly high odds ratios.Under the curve values of receiver operating characteristics curves of each regression model were 0.74 for Model 1 and 0.87 for Model 2.CONCLUSION Our logistic regression analysis on differentiating factors of CA from SA showed that high CRP level was a strong dose-dependent predictor of CA.