Helicobacter pylori reinfection in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer disease: a 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The Helicobacter pylori reinfection seems to be higher in developing countries, than in developed ones. The aim of the study was to determine the annual recurrence rate of H. pylori, in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer disease, in a 5-year follow-up. METHODS: Patients, with peptic ulcer disease diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy (UDE) and H. pylori infection verified by histological analysis, rapid urease test, polymerase chain reaction, and urea breath test (UBT), were treated for bacterial eradication. The cure of the infection was verified using the same tests, 3 months after. Clinical evaluation and UBT were performed after sixth and ninth month. After 1 year of follow-up, UBT and UDE were repeated. Up to the fifth year, patients were assessed twice a year and an UBT was performed annually. The patients included and all the reinfected were tested for 15 different genes of the H. pylori. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven patients were followed: 19 for 1 year, eight for 2 years, four for 3 years, five for 4 years, and 98 for 5 years, totaling 557 patients/years. Recurrence did not occur in the first year. In the second year, two patients were reinfected; in the third, four patients; in the fourth, three patients; and in the fifth, one patient. The total of reinfected patients was 10. The annual reinfection rate was 1.8%. CONCLUSION: Brazil presents a low prevalence of H. pylori reinfection, similar to the developed countries.

Association of LEC and tnpA Helicobacter pylori genes with gastric cancer in a Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: H. pylori seroprevalence in Brazilians varies and is dependent on socioeconomic status, sanitation conditions and ethnicity; furthermore, H. pylori is not always associated with the incidence of gastric cancer, suggesting the role of more virulent strains. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of more virulent H. pylori strains with gastric cancer. METHODS: DNA was extracted from gastric biopsies of thirty-four cases of gastric cancer (11 intestinal-type, 23 diffuse-type), and thirty-four of patients with endoscopic gastritis. The presence of cagPAI genes (cagA, cagA promoter, cagE, cagM, tnpB, tnpA, cagT and the left end of the cagII (LEC)) and babA were analyzed by PCR. RESULTS: Comparison of H. pylori isolates from gastric cancer and gastritis patients showed significant associations of tnpA and LEC with gastric cancer (73.5% [OR, 6.66; 95% CI, 2.30-19.25] and 58.8% [OR, 10.71; 95% CI, 3.07-37.28] of cases, respectively). Other cagPAI genes were detected in both groups at similar frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: tnpA and LEC of H. pylori cagPAI were associated with gastric cancer; nonetheless, these results were restricted within this group of patients and further studies are needed to confirm these results in a larger sample and determine their role in gastric carcinogenesis.

Diverticulose, doença diverticular e diverticulite / Diverticulosis, diverticulitis and diverticular disease

Os autores revisaram um dos assuntos mais relevantes dentro da Gastroenterologia: diverticulose cólica, doença diverticular, diverticulite e outras complicações relacionadas com os divertículos cólicos, como o sangramento diverticular. São apresentados, extensivamente, dados epidemiológicos, fatores de risco, quadro clínico e os métodos diagnósticos mais atuais relativos à doença diverticular, diverticulite e outras complicações. Nos últimos anos, a abordagem terapêutica, particularmente nos casos não complicados de doença diverticular, evoluiu consideravelmente com o uso de mesalazina e probióticos, assuntos que mereceram uma análise crítica por parte dos autores, no contexto dos novos itens fisiopatológicos.

Helicobacter pylori recurrence in patients with duodenal ulcer: Clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and genotypic aspects. A 10-year Brazilian series.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence infection following successful eradication of Helicobacter pylori is usually low, except for countries with high prevalence of H. pylori. The aim of this study was to verify H. pylori recurrence rate in patients with duodenal ulcer after eradication and the possible relationship with environmental factors, histologic pattern of the mucosa and bacterial genotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and ninety-four patients with an active duodenal ulcer and who were successfully treated for H. pylori infection from 1990 to 1999 were studied. A questionnaire was answered about their living conditions, and a 14C-urea breath test was performed. Patients with a positive breath test underwent an upper endoscopy to investigate for possible ulcer recurrence; gastric biopsy samples were than collected for rapid urease test and for histologic assessment. H. pylori vacA and cagA genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction in those samples with positive urease test. RESULTS: H. pylori infection was detected in 11 patients (recurrence rate of 5.7%) that were not associated with the type of bacterial virulence. In 10 patients the ulcer was healed and all of them were clinically asymptomatic. In eight, histology showed an intensification of gastritis. All 11 patients had adequate housing and sanitary conditions and no other risk for H. pylori recurrence was identified. CONCLUSIONS: The recurrence rate of H. pylori in Brazil was higher than that reported in developed countries, but lower than usually reported in developing ones. Ulcer relapse rarely occurs even in long-term follow up.

Prevalence of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the urban Brazilian population.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological aspects of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease have been object of growing interest in the last decade because of its increasing prevalence and the complications of the disease. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease as well as their main characteristics in the Brazilian urban population. METHODS: A national inquire enrolling 13,959 adults was conducted in 22 Brazilian cities. The inclusion criteria were the presence of heartburn at least once a week ("heartburn group") and age greater than 16 years old. Individuals with heartburn with frequency of more than once a week were considered as having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD group). Factors related to the complaint were asked such as predisposing factors, habits (tobacco, alcohol and coffee intake) and body mass index. In this populational study a probabilistic model was used. RESULTS: The results are presented in absolute and relative frequency, which were ponderated estimates of the respective population figures. The global prevalence of heartburn was 11.9% (1,651 persons). Heartburn once a week was present in 4.6% (637 persons) and GERD in 7.3% (1,014 persons). The average ages of both groups were similar (men: 36.9 +/- 15.0; women: 39.6 +/- 15.1 yrs). Females were more affected in both groups. The occurrence of GERD increased with age and was more prevalent after 55 years old. The body mass index was in the normal range and similar in both groups (men: 24.7 +/- 4.6; women: 25.3 +/- 5.2 kg/m(2)). In both groups the individuals related their symptoms to food intake, fatty and spicy foods (heartburn group: 64.7%, 28.5%, 17.7%; GERD group: 55.0%, 25.9%, 11.7% respectively). In GERD group, stress (24.2%), health problems (22.3%) were more related to the symptoms than in heartburn group (20.0% and 15.0% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The global prevalence of heartburn (11.9%) is relatively high in the Brazilian urban population, although lower than the reported figure to other countries. Heartburn and GERD have higher prevalence in women and both are related to food intake, fatty and spicy foods; GERD is more prevalent in individuals older than 35 years old.

Prevalence of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the urban Brazilian population

RACIONAL: Os aspectos epidemiológicos da azia e da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico tem sido objeto de interesse crescente na última década devido o aumento na prevalência e nas complicações da doença. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a prevalência da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico e da azia e as principais características da doença na população urbana do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Inquérito nacional avaliou 13.959 indivíduos em 22 cidades brasileiras. Os critérios de inclusão foram:presença de azia, pelo menos, uma vez na semana e idade maior de 16 anos (grupo azia); presença de azia com freqüência maior que uma vez na semana, considerado como portadores da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (grupo DRGE). Os fatores relacionados às queixas foram questionados como: fatores precipitantes; hábitos (tabaco, álcool e consumo de café); índice de massa corporal . Neste estudo populacional foi usado modelo probabilístico na analise estatística. RESULTADOS: Foram apresentados em freqüência relativa e absoluta, que era a estimativa ponderada da respectiva população. A prevalência global da azia foi de 11,9% (1.651 indivíduos). Azia uma vez por semana esteve presente em 4,6% (637 indivíduos) e doença do refluxo gastroesofágico em 7,7% (1.014 indivíduos). A idade média foi semelhante em ambos os grupos (homens: 36,9 ± 15,0; mulheres: 39,6 ± 15,1 anos). As mulheres foram mais afetadas em ambos os grupos. A ocorrência de doença do refluxo gastroesofágico aumentou com a idade e foi mais prevalente após os 55 anos de idade. O índice de massa corporal esteve na faixa normal e foi similar em ambos os grupos (homens: 24,7 ± 4,6; mulheres: 25,3 ± 5,2 kg/m2). Em ambos os grupos os indivíduos relataram seus sintomas à ingestão de comida, gorduras e alimentos picantes (grupo azia: 64,7%, 28,5%, 17,7%; grupo DRGE: 55,0%, 25,9%, 11,7%, respectivamente). No grupo DRGE, estresse (24,2%) e problemas de saúde (22,3%) foram os sintomas mais relatados que no grupo azia (20,0% e 15,0%, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência global de azia (11,9%) é relativamente elevada na população urbana brasileira, apesar de mais baixa em comparação a outros paises. Azia e doença do refluxo gastroesofágico têm maior prevalência em mulheres e ambos são relacionados à ingestão de alimentos, alimentos gordurosos e picantes. A doença

Lugol's dye spray chromoendoscopy establishes early diagnosis of esophageal cancer in patients with primary head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with primary head and neck cancer show a predisposition to develop esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate in these patients: the prevalence of esophageal cancer comparing the value of chromoendoscopy using Lugol's solution examination to standard endoscopy, in the early diagnosis of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Prospective observational study at a state general university hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 326 consecutive adult patients with primary head and neck cancer were evaluated. A standard endoscopy was performed, followed by a 2% Lugol's dye spray chromoendoscopy and histopathologic study. The prevalence of esophageal cancer was defined. The results of the two endoscopic methods were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with esophageal cancer and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were detected and had a prevalence of 7.36%. Chromoendoscopy and standard endoscopy were equivalent to the diagnosis of advanced and invasive esophageal cancer. However, standard endoscopy diagnosed 55% of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, in comparison to chromoendoscopy that detected 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with primary head and neck cancer should be considered as high risks for the presence of esophageal cancer. Lugol's dye chromoendoscopy diagnosed high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, which went unnoticed with standard endoscopy. It permits a more exact detection of lesion boundaries and facilitates a more precise targeting of biopsy fragments.

Neoplasia pancreática intraductal produtora de mucina / Mucine-producing intraductal pancreatic neoplasm

A neoplasia pancreática intraductal produtora de mucina (NIPM) é neoplasia rara entre as patolooias pancreáticas; entretanto, merece atençao, pois apresenta bom prognóstico e seu diagnóstico é facilmente realizado com o auxílio da colangiopancreatografia endoscópica. A pancreatografia endoscópica assume papel relevante na investigaçao de pacientes com crises recidivantes de pancreatite aguda e que apresentem dilataçao do ducto pancreático sem evidência de obstruçao mecânica a CPER. Os autores apresentam o relato de um caso e análise das características desta entidade quanto aos métodos diagnósticos, tratamento e diagnóstico diferencial.