Microextraction by packed sorbent and HPLC-PDA quantification of multiple anti-inflammatory drugs and fluoroquinolones in human plasma and urine.

We developed and validated an analytical method based on microextraction packed sorbent (MEPS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to photodiode array (PDA) detector to simultaneously quantify multiple nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and fluoroquinolones (FLQs), which may provide as combination several adverse reactions in nephrology and neurology. The linearity range from LOQs (0.1 µg/mL) to 10 µg/mL, and LODs values were 0.03 µg/mL for both NSAIDs and FLQs. The validation was performed according to international guidelines and the accuracy was tested measuring the precision, intermediate precision and trueness. The drugs stability was tested under different storage conditions (+4 °C and -20 °C) and after three different cycles of freezing and thawing. The method can be a suitable tool to simultaneously detect a possible association of drugs in human biological samples and provide several potentialities for clinical applications, bioequivalence studies, pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics of different pharmaceutical dosage forms showing NSAIDs and FLQs.

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for colorectal adenoma and cancer: a study in a White population using the harmonized criteria.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with colorectal adenomas and cancer. However, MetS definitions have changed over time, leading to a heterogeneity of patients included in previous studies and a substantial inextensibility of observations across time or eastern and western populations. Our aim was to evaluate the association of 'harmonized' criteria-defined MetS and its individual components with colorectal neoplasia and cancer in a western population. METHODS: In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, we prospectively evaluated consecutive outpatients who underwent open-access colonoscopy over a 3-month period. MetS was diagnosed according to the 2009 'harmonized' criteria. RESULTS: Out of 5707 patients enrolled, we found 213 cancers (3.7%), 1614 polyps (28.3%), 240 nonpolypoid lesions (4.2%), 95 laterally spreading tumors (1.6%). Polyps presented histological low-grade dysplasia in 72.9% of samples, while in 9.8%, high-grade dysplasia or in situ carcinoma was present; dysplasia rates for nonpolypoid lesions were 66.2% (low-grade) and 2.9% (high-grade/in situ carcinoma), while for laterally spreading tumors, 29.6% and 37%, respectively. Overall, MetS prevalence was 41.6%. MetS correlated with both adenomas [odds ratio (OR): 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-2.00] and cancer (OR: 1.92, 95% CI 1.42-2.58). MetS was the only risk factor for such colonic lesions in subjects younger than 50 years. For all colonic neoplasia, we found MetS and not its individual components to be significantly associated. CONCLUSIONS: MetS is risk factor for cancer and adenoma in Whites, especially when younger than 50 years. MetS patients might be considered as a high-risk population also in colorectal cancer screening programs.

Hypertension prevalence, awareness, control and association with metabolic abnormalities in the San Marino population: the SMOOTH study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the SMOOTH (San Marino Observational Outlooking Trial on Hypertension) study was to explore hypertension awareness, treatment and control and the associated metabolic abnormalities and risk factors in the population of San Marino, a small state in the Mediterranean area, for which limited evidence is available. METHODS: Nine general practitioners enrolled 4590 consecutive subjects (44% of the San Marino population age 40-75 years), seen in their office by collecting history, physical and laboratory data and office blood pressure (BP) measurements. RESULTS: Of these subjects, 2446 were normotensive and 2144 hypertensive; 62.3% of hypertensive patients were aware of their condition, 58.6% were treated (monotherapy 31.5%, combination therapy 27.1%), and 21.7% were controlled. Hypertension awareness and treatment were more frequent above age 50 and in females; BP control was similarly low in both genders. As compared to normotensives, hypertensive subjects were less frequently smokers (20.1 versus 27.8%), had greater body mass index (28.1 +/- 4.5 versus 25.8 +/- 3.7 g/m), and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (15.8 versus 6.3%), lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and higher prevalence of increased blood total cholesterol (66.1 versus 51.3%), triglycerides and serum uric acid. Values of subjects with 'high-normal' blood pressure were closer to those of hypertensive subjects. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in hypertensive than in normotensive subjects, and in treated than in untreated hypertensives. CONCLUSIONS: Even in a small Mediterranean country with high health-care standards, hypertension awareness, treatment and control are inadequate and hypertension clusters with metabolic abnormalities and risk factors as in non-Mediterranean areas.

Endoscopic resection for superficial colorectal neoplasia in Italy: a prospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Since there are few prospective studies on colorectal endoscopic resection to date, we aimed to prospectively assess safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection in a cohort of Italian patients. METHODS: Prospective multicentre assessment of resection of sessile polyps or non-polypoid lesions ≥10mm in size or smaller (if depressed). Outcome measures included complete excision, morbidity, mortality, and residual/recurrence at 12 months. RESULTS: Overall, 1012 resections in 928 patients were analysed (62.4% sessile polyps, 28.8% laterally spreading tumours, 8.7% depressed non-polypoid lesions). Lesions were prevalent in the proximal colon. En bloc resection was possible in 715/1012 cases (70.7%), whereas piecemeal resection was required in 297 (29.3%). Endoscopically complete excision was achieved in 866 cases (85.6%). Adverse events occurred in 83 (8.2%), and no deaths occurred. Independent predictors of 12-month residual/recurrence were the location of the lesion in the proximal colon (OR 2.22 [95% CI 1.16-4.26]; p=0.015) and piecemeal endoscopic resection (OR 2.76 [95% CI 1.56-4.87]; p=0.0005). Limitations of the study were: potential expertise bias, no data on eligible and potentially resectable excluded lesions, high percentage of lesions<20mm, follow-up limited to 1 year. CONCLUSION: In this registry study the endoscopic resection of colorectal lesions was safe and achieved high rates of long-term endoscopic clearance.

Upper GI endoscopy in elderly patients: predictive factors of relevant endoscopic findings.

Elderly patients are at increased risk for peptic ulcer and cancer. Predictive factors of relevant endoscopic findings at upper endoscopy in the elderly are unknown. This was a post hoc analysis of a nationwide, endoscopic study. A total of 3,147 elderly patients were selected. Demographic, clinical, and endoscopic data were systematically collected. Relevant findings and new diagnoses of peptic ulcer and malignancy were computed. Both univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. A total of 1,559 (49.5%), 213 (6.8%), 93 (3%) relevant findings, peptic ulcers, and malignancies were detected. Peptic ulcers and malignancies were more frequent in >85-year-old patients (OR 3.1, 95% CI = 2.0-4.7, p = 0.001). The presence of dysphagia (OR = 5.15), weight loss (OR = 4.77), persistent vomiting (OR = 3.68), anaemia (OR = 1.83), and male gender (OR = 1.9) were significantly associated with a malignancy, whilst overt bleeding (OR = 6.66), NSAIDs use (OR = 2.23), and epigastric pain (OR = 1.90) were associated with the presence of peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcer or malignancies were detected in 10% of elderly patients, supporting the use of endoscopy in this age group. Very elderly patients appear to be at higher risk of such lesions.

Gastro-protective strategies in primary care in Italy: the "Gas.Pro." survey.

INTRODUCTION: Risk of gastrointestinal injury is relevant among users of anti-inflammatory or cardio-protective drugs. Adequate gastro-protection is warranted in high-risk patients. AIM: To assess the perceptions and practices of Italian primary care physicians regarding gastro-protective strategies. METHODS: Nationwide cross-sectional observational study. A 14-question survey questionnaire was administered to 112 primary care physicians throughout Italy. Data collection covered consecutive outpatient candidates for the prescription of a potentially GI harmful medication, observed in the physicians' office over a 3-week period. RESULTS: Cohort included 3943 cases (2489 naïve and 1463 chronic NSAID/ASA users). Mean age and prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidity were significantly higher in the latter subgroup. Non-selective NSAIDs and low-dose aspirin were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Combined NSAIDS/ASA plus steroids/anticoagulant/antiplatelets were recorded in 161 cases. Helicobacter pylori status was known in only 38% of naïve and 33.2% of chronic users, being negative in 85.3% and 89.5%, respectively. When positive, H. pylori was eradicated by almost all physicians (97.9%), but in case of unknown H. pylori status, the presence of infection was investigated in only 8.6% and 14.9% of patients in the two subgroups. Gastro-protection was endorsed in 80.7% of patients, mostly PPIs (91%). In patients aged over 70, pantoprazole and lansoprazole were the preferred gastro-protective agents. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant over-use of gastro-protection in the primary care setting in Italy and the role H. pylori is largely overlooked. Educational efforts should be directed to a more targeted gastro-protection only for at-risk patients as well as improved adherence to recommendations for testing and treating H. pylori infection.