Prospective cohort study to evaluate premedication with simethicone and n-acetilcysteine for upper diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: The use of premedication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) is not widely established in western countries. The primary aim of the study was to compare gastric visibility according to the total visibility score (TVS). The secondary aim was to assess complications, diagnostic yield, endoscopic procedure time, sedation dose and patient satisfaction. METHODS: A single center prospective cohort study was performed of consecutive adults undergoing an UGE in the afternoon working shift. After completing enrolment in the control group, patients were administered 200 mg simethicone and 500 mg N-acetylcysteine diluted in 100 ml of water >15 minutes before the procedure. All procedures were recorded and a single, blinded endoscopist evaluated the TVS after recruitment of both cohorts. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Spanish translation of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: 205 patients were included in the study, 103 females (50.2%) with a median age of 54.8-years (IQR: 41.2-65.2). 104 were enrolled to the control group and 101 to the intervention group. Patients receiving premedication presented a higher rate of adequate (74.3% vs 45.2; difference 95% CI: 16,3-41,9%, p<0.001) and excellent gastric visibility (23.8% vs 7.7%; difference 95% CI: 6,3-25,8%, p=0.002). Propofol dose was similar, although the median procedure time was lower in the group of no intervention [5 (IQR: 4-7) vs 6 minutes (IQR: 5-7); p=0.03]. Procedure related adverse events were similar, except that patient without premedication experienced more nausea episodes. Major and minor endoscopic findings and the satisfaction questionnaire showed no differences between both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving premedication with simethicone and N-acetylcysteine had a better gastric visibility score, without any increase in adverse events or affecting the patients' satisfaction.

Autochthonous acute hepatitis E: an increasingly frequent diagnosis. Clinical-epidemiological analysis of our experience.

BACKGROUND: In Europe, acute hepatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) traditionally was an infection found in people who had travelled to endemic zones, mainly Asia and Africa. However, a growing number of sporadic autochthonous cases are now being diagnosed in the Western world. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cases of acute HEV hepatitis diagnosed in our setting, with the identification of the clinical-epidemiological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included the cases of acute HEV hepatitis diagnosed (positive anti-HEV IgM and/or HEV RNA present in serum) between January 2008 and December 2014. Different clinical, epidemiological and evolutive parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were identified, all originating from Spain. Fourteen cases (60.87%) presented jaundice and marked cytolysis at the time of diagnosis (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] 1,106.91 U/l and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 1,407.04 U/l). Twenty-two cases were regarded as autochthonous, and one patient had travelled to China three months before. The mean time to resolution was 11.2 weeks. Some autoimmune markers were positive in 43.5% of the patients. Two subjects were diagnosed with previous chronic liver disease and were classified as "acute-on-chronic liver failure" (ACLF), one died and the other underwent liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: Acute HEV hepatitis in our setting is an autochthonous condition that is probably underdiagnosed, manifesting with jaundice and cytolysis. Autoimmune marker positivity is an epiphenomenon, which in some cases complicates the diagnosis.

[Factors associated with colon cleansing measured with the Boston scale in routine clinical practice]. / Factores asociados al nivel de limpieza colónica medido mediante la escala de Boston en la práctica clínica habitual.

INTRODUCTION: The Boston scale is useful to standardize colon cleansing at colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to analyze the degree of preparation before colonoscopy and the factors associated with cleansing in routine clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included colonoscopies performed from January to June 2013. Exclusion criteria were age <15 years, a history of colon surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, and active gastrointestinal bleeding. The standard preparation was CitraFleet. The parameters related to the degree of bowel cleansing (using the Boston scale) were age, sex, indication, colonoscopy shift (morning or afternoon), patient origin (outpatient or hospitalized), and colonoscopy findings. RESULTS: We analyzed 947 colonoscopies, with exclusion of 297. A total of 5.8% (38/650) of the colonoscopies were incomplete, 50% due to lack of preparation. The mean age of the patients was 61.27 years (SD: 16.1), and 51.8% were women. The distribution of the Boston scale was 0-3 in 6.3%, 4-5 in 12.6%, 6-7 in 30.6%, and 8-9 in 50.4%, with a mean 7.04 (SD: 2.03). On multivariate analysis, the factors statistically associated with better preparation were younger age, afternoon colonoscopy and the outpatient setting. The percentage of polyps in patients with a Boston scale score ≤5 was 10% compared with 27.8% in patients with a score > 5 (P=.014). CONCLUSION: In clinical practice, 80% of patients had an acceptable level of preparation. Older patients, those undergoing colonoscopy in the morning and hospitalized patients would be candidates for measures to improve the degree of colonic preparation.