[Ascites due to constrictive pericarditis]. / Ascite par péricardite constrictive.

INTRODUCTION: We report a case in which ascites revealed chronic constrictive pericarditis (CCP) of tuberculous origin. OBSERVATION: A 65 year-old man had developed ascites the past over few weeks and oedema of the lower limbs. Treatment was surgical and consisted in pericardiectomy. DISCUSSION: Chronic constrictive pericarditis has become rare in industrialised countries with the reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis. Currently, its principle aetiologies identified are previous cardiac surgery and radiotherapy. Treatment is usually surgical and gives excellent results. This clinical case clearly illustrates the interest of systematic biological analysis of ascites, since it may reveal a curable disease.

Crohn's disease in the over-60 age group: a population based study.

OBJECTIVES: Late-onset Crohn's disease (CD) may show a distinctive pattern of expression. The aim of our study was to describe the incidence or presentation of CD in the elderly and compare the outcomes in patients < 60 years or > or = 60 years at diagnosis. METHODS: The study included a population based inception cohort of all incident CD cases diagnosed in Brittany (France) between 1994 and 1997. Sixty-three patients were > or = 60 years and 201 were < 60 years at diagnosis. The physicians managing the patients used standardized questionnaires to collect the study data. The questionnaires on outcomes and treatments were completed in 2002. RESULTS: In patients > or = 60 years, the annual incidence was 2.5 per 10 persons and clinical features were similar to those in younger patients, except for a higher rate of colon involvement. Among older patients, those with diverticula (29/63, 46%) were more likely to have granulomas (58% vs 33% of patients without diverticula, P < 0.04), but the diagnosis of CD was confirmed by lesions remote from the diverticula in most cases (23/29). Early resection rates were not higher in older patients, who were less likely to require immunosuppressants or re-admission for CD flares, as compared to younger patients. Five year mortality in older patients was 16% but was unrelated to CD. CONCLUSIONS: In Brittany, the age specific incidence, clinical features, and prognosis of CD among the elderly are comparable to those in younger individuals. Colon involvement is more common. Concomitant diverticular disease is common and should prompt a search for CD lesions at other sites to confirm the diagnosis. Older patients are less likely to require immunosuppressants or admission for flares.

Factors associated with liver steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients.

UNLABELLED: Liver steatosis is a common finding in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Host and viral factors have been associated with steatosis, but their relative contributions have not been clearly addressed. It has been suggested that steatosis plays a role in the progression of liver fibrosis. AIMS: To assess: a) factors associated with steatosis in patients infected with hepatitis C virus; b) their impact on liver fibrosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and fourteen untreated patients were included. Lifetime alcohol consumption was estimated. Liver fibrosis, inflammation and necrosis were assessed using the METAVIR score. Body mass index (BMI) was determined. The scoring system for steatosis was as follows: 0, no steatosis; 1, less than 10%; 2, 10% to 30%; 3, 30% to 70%; 4, more than 70% of hepatocytes affected. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, steatosis was associated with elevated BMI (P=0.001), excessive alcohol intake (P=0.005), genotype 3 (P<0.001) and moderate to severe histological activity (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that steatosis correlated with two independent factors: genotype 3a (OR=60.7; 95% CI: 7.6-483.4) (P<0.001) and BMI (OR=4.86; 95% CI: 1.8-13.15) (P=0.002). In univariate analysis, severe fibrosis (F2-F3-F4) was associated with older age (P<10(-5)), male gender (P=0.001), disease duration (P<0.006), BMI (P<10(-4)), alcohol intake (P<10(-6)), severity of histological activity (P<10(-5)) and steatosis (P<10(-6)). In multivariate analysis, three independent factors were associated with severe fibrosis: disease duration > 10 years (OR=3.17; 95% CI: 0.65-15.4) (P=0.015), presence of steatosis (OR=3.17; 95% CI: 1-9.99) (P<0.049) and genotype 3a (OR=5.56; 95% CI: 1.4-22.1) (P=0.015). CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, steatosis is significantly associated with genotype 3 infection and high BMI. Steatosis is an independent risk factor associated with severe fibrosis. These results have major implications for the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

[Thoracic pain of oesophageal origin. Diagnostic management and treatment]. / Douleurs thoraciques d'origine oesophagienne. Prise en charge diagnostique et thérapeutique.

FROM AN ETIOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW: Thoracic pain is a frequent symptom. Before confirming the oesophageal origin of the pain, a coronary disease must be excluded. Two principle causes are source of thoracic pain of oesophageal origin: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and oesophageal motility abnormalities. THE DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH: This must include the questioning of the patient and the usual paraclinical examinations. To confirm the diagnosis, these examinations must establish a chronological relationship between the symptoms and the abnormalities. For economic reasons, following a normal gastroscopy, there is a tendency to propose an empirical proton pump inhibitor (PPI) test rather than a 24 hour pH-metry antireflux as first line. The improvement or even the disappearance of the symptoms confirms the diagnosis; long-term treatment with a double dose of PPI should therefore be envisaged. The pH-metry with search for results should be proposed to the non-responders and to patients with atypical reflux manifestations. Dysphagia and odynophagia suggest an oesophageal motility disorder that basal manometry should confirm. A chronological relationship is rarely revealed, but the sensitivity of the pH-meter can be enhanced by provocation tests. REGARDING TREATMENT: Other than achalasia, treatment of the other spastic-like motor disorders is not well codified. Diltiazem is efficient. Some patients exhibit a hyperalgic oesophagus. The physiopathological mechanisms are still theoretical. Low dose tricyclic antidepressors and psychological management are useful.