[The role of metabolic syndrome in gastroenterology]. / Role metabolického syndromu v gastroenterologii.

GOAL: Metabolic syndrome and its components play an important part in the development of not only cardiovascular conditions, but also digestive and pancreaticobiliary system diseases. The aim of our study is to present a comprehensive overview of the diseases where metabolic syndrome is an inducing risk factor, or where it affects the course of the disease. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome is a significant risk factor of induction of gastroesophageal reflux and its complication, which is Barretts esophagus. Metabolic syndrome was described as the disease closely linked to idiopathic intestinal inflammations, diseases of the biliary tree and pancreas. Acute pancreatitis, both its development in obese individuals and the burden of its course, are in close correlation with metabolic syndrome, similarly as the course of chronic, mainly alcoholic pancreatitis. Study of non-alcoholic steatopancreatitis presents a challenge, most importantly with regard to the function of pancreatic B cells in obese individuals. Non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis and its forms may as much as lead to the stage of cirrhosis of the liver and they pose a risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Metabolic syndrome was also described in a population study as a risk factor for carcinoma of the colon. SUMMARY: Metabolic syndrome and its components present an important risk factor in relation to inducing some benign as well as malignant gastrointestinal and pancreaticobiliary diseases. A systemic approach to influencing the metabolic syndrome and its components is therefore one of the important approaches to influencing the development and course of not only cardiovascular conditions.

[Acute pancreatitis - validation of revised Atlanta classification on 159 patients and prognostic factors]. / Akutní pankreatitida - validace nové klasifikace na souboru 159 nemocných a prognostické faktory.

INTRODUCTION: In the last few years the Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis (AP) have been revised. However prognostic markers of AP are still being searched for. The aim of this study is to validate the 3 severity categories proposed by the revised Atlanta classification. We also tried to reevaluate the association between two laboratory markers (leucocyte count and RDW - red cell distribution width) on admission and prognosis of the patients with AP. METHODS: 159 patients were included into the study. The patients were classified according to revised Atlanta criteria and the subgroups evaluated according to mortality, length of hospital stay and need for interventions. Leucocyte count and RDW on admission was evaluated in the patients. RESULTS: All the subgroups of patients were associated with significantly relevant differences in mortality, length of hospital stay and need for operations on pancreas. Leucocyte count and RDW were identified as significant predictors for severe AP and RDW was also identified as significant predictor for mortality in patients with AP. CONCLUSION: New categories of severity as defined by Revised Atlanta classification are describing well the mortality, length of hospital stay and need for interventions in the patients with AP. Leucocyte count and RDW on admission are needed to be confirmed as potential prognostic markers of severity and mortality in AP.

[Crohn's disease - etiopathogenetic factors]. / Crohnova nemoc - genetické faktory z pohledu etiopatogeneze.

Crohn's disease is often purely inflammatory, but most patients develop complicated disease with strictures or fistulae. Specific etiopathogenesis of this severe disease is not definitely clear despite research efforts and learning of many pathogenetic mechanisms. Many studies have suggested that NOD2 mutations are associated with increased risk of complicated disease. Presence of NOD2 mutation itself is just one of factors contributing to development of this disease. Genetically predisposed individuals in combination with influence of environmental factors result in a disturbed innate (i.e., disturbed intestinal barrier, Paneth cell dysfunction) and adaptive (i.e., imbalance of effector and regulatory T cells and cytokines, migration and retention of leukocytes) immune response towards a diminished diversity of commensal microbiota. Data of meta-analysis made so far provide ambiguous evidence to support top-down therapy based solely on single NOD2 mutations, but suggest that targeted early-intensive therapy for high-risk patients with two NOD2 mutations might be beneficial, but more prospective trials could answer these questions.