Anti-Siglec-8 Antibody for Eosinophilic Gastritis and Duodenitis.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic gastritis and duodenitis are characterized by gastrointestinal mucosal eosinophilia, chronic symptoms, impaired quality of life, and a lack of adequate treatments. Mast-cell activity may contribute to the pathogenesis of the conditions. AK002 (lirentelimab) is an anti-Siglec-8 antibody that depletes eosinophils and inhibits mast cells and that has shown potential in animal models as a treatment for eosinophilic gastritis and duodenitis. METHODS: In this phase 2 trial, we randomly assigned adults who had symptomatic eosinophilic gastritis, eosinophilic duodenitis, or both conditions in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive four monthly infusions of low-dose AK002, high-dose AK002, or placebo. The primary end point was the change in gastrointestinal eosinophil count from baseline to 2 weeks after the final dose; to maximize statistical power, we evaluated this end point in the placebo group as compared with the combined AK002 group. Secondary end points were treatment response (>30% reduction in total symptom score and >75% reduction in gastrointestinal eosinophil count) and the change in total symptom score. RESULTS: Of the 65 patients who underwent randomization, 43 were assigned to receive AK002 and 22 were assigned to receive placebo. The mean percentage change in gastrointestinal eosinophil count was -86% in the combined AK002 group, as compared with 9% in the placebo group (least-squares mean difference, -98 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -121 to -76; P<0.001). Treatment response occurred in 63% of the patients who received AK002 and in 5% of the patients who received placebo (difference, 58 percentage points; 95% CI, 36 to 74; P<0.001). The mean change in total symptom score was -48% with AK002 and -22% with placebo (least-squares mean difference, -26 percentage points; 95% CI, -44 to -9; P = 0.004). Adverse events associated with AK002 were similar to those with placebo, with the exception of higher percentages of patients having mild-to-moderate infusion-related reactions with AK002 (60% in the combined AK002 group and 23% in the placebo group). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with eosinophilic gastritis or duodenitis, AK002 reduced gastrointestinal eosinophils and symptoms. Infusion-related reactions were more common with AK002 than with placebo. (Funded by Allakos; ENIGMA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03496571.).

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings in functional constipation and irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria: a cross-sectional survey during a medical check-up in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The Rome IV criteria have been established as an international standard for diagnosing disorders of gut-brain interaction. In this study, we aimed to examine the upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic findings and symptoms of subjects with functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) of individuals undergoing a medical check-up. METHODS: A total of 13,729 subjects underwent a medical check-up at Osaka City University-affiliated clinic, MedCity21, between April 2018 and March 2019. Among the 5,840 subjects who underwent screening upper GI endoscopy and completed a questionnaire based on the Rome IV criteria, 5,402 subjects were consecutively enrolled after excluding subjects with a large amount of gastric residue (n = 6), those who had previously undergone partial or total gastrectomy (n = 40), or those with daily use of low-dose aspirin (n = 82), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 63), or acid secretion inhibitors (n = 308). RESULTS: Robust Poisson regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, Helicobacter pylori infection status, alcohol intake, and smoking habits showed a significant association between FC and corpus erosion (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51-5.67; p < 0.01) and red streaks (aPR, 3.83; 95% CI, 2.53-5.79; p < 0.01), whereas IBS was significantly associated with erosive gastritis (aPR, 8.46; 95% CI, 4.89-14.67; p < 0.01) and duodenitis (aPR, 7.28; 95% CI, 3.64-14.59; p < 0.01). Red streaks tended to be associated with IBS (aPR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.00-3.83; p = 0.05). Subjects with IBS were the most to complain of both upper and lower GI symptoms and psychological symptoms, followed by those with FC and controls. IBS subjects with erosive gastritis or duodenitis had significantly more complaints of stomachache and feeling stressed than those without erosive gastritis or duodenitis (54.5% vs. 18.8%; p = 0.03 and 66.7% vs. 25.0%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with FC and IBS had a variety of upper GI and psychological symptoms. In the upper GI endoscopic findings, corpus erosion and red streaks were associated with FC, and erosive gastritis, duodenitis, and possibly red streaks were associated with IBS.

Clinical Characteristics of Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Bulbar Duodenitis.

We describe a cohort of 33 patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and incidental duodenal bulb inflammation, termed bulbar duodenitis (BD). We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study and recorded demographics, clinical presentation, endoscopic, and histological findings. BD was observed at the initial endoscopy in 12 cases (36%) and at a subsequent endoscopy in the remainder. Bulbar histology was usually a mix of chronic and eosinophilic inflammation. Patients were more likely to have active EoE (n = 31, 96.9%) at time of BD diagnosis. Our data indicate that the duodenal bulb of children with EoE should be carefully examined at each endoscopy and mucosal biopsies considered. Larger studies are needed to explore this association.

Gastric ulcer and duodenitis associated with coinfection of human herpesvirus-8 and cytomegalovirus in a renal transplant recipient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The coinfection between cytomegalovirus (CMV) and either human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) or HHV-7 in renal transplant recipients is well known; however, there have been few reports of coinfection of CMV associated with HHV-8. This paper presents a first case of acute gastric ulcer and duodenitis associated with CMV and HHV-8 coinfection after renal transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old male with a history of kidney transplantation was admitted to hospital because of postural epigastric pain. The recipient was CMV seropositive prior to transplantation and received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole without universal prophylaxis. Approximately 5 months after renal transplant, the recipient complained postural epigastric pain. An endoscopy revealed diffuse ulcerative lesions in the lower body and in the antrum of the stomach, as well as several erythematous mucosal lesions in the duodenum. Histopathologic examination identified CMV inclusions consistent with invasive CMV disease and immunohistochemical staining showed positive results for HHV-8 and CMV. No tumorous diseases such as Kaposi's sarcoma were detected. After 3 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir treatment, we observed that serum CMV PCR remained within the normal range and clinical symptoms improved. A follow-up endoscopy performed 3 weeks later showed that the severity of the above mentioned lesions had improved. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first case of a renal transplant recipient diagnosed with acute gastric ulcer and duodenitis associated with coinfection of CMV and HHV-8. Ganciclovir appears to be effective in diseases associated with coinfection of CMV and HHV-8.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GASTRODUODENITIS PREVENTION PROGRAM IN PATIENTS OF RETIREMENT AGE WITH ESSENTIAL ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION WHO TOOK PART IN THE PROGRAM ,AFFORDABLE MEDICINES- UNDER THE IBCR.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To assess the e!ectiveness of the gastroduodenitis prevention program we have developed in patients of retirement age with essential arterial hypertension who participate in the «A!ordable Medicines¼ program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A combined (retrospective and prospective) study was conducted, in which 150 patients took part. The main group consisted of 100 patients of retirement age with essential arterial hypertension and gastroduodenitis, which arose against the background of treatment of essential arterial hypertension. The control group consisted of 50 patients of retirement age with essential arterial hypertension without gastroduodenitis. For this category of the population developed a program for the prevention of gastroduodenitis. To assess the e!ectiveness of this prevention program, an «incremental cost-benefit ratio¼ (#C$R) is used. RESULTS: Results: An assessment of the e!ectiveness of the gastroduodenitis prevention program we developed in patients of retirement age with essential arterial hypertension who participate in the «A!ordable Medicines¼ program. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Identified categories of patients for whom the developed prevention program is effective.

Association of Preinjury Medical Diagnoses With Pediatric Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms in Electronic Health Records.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors and generate hypotheses for pediatric persistent postconcussion symptoms (PPCS). SETTING: A regional healthcare system in the Southeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: An electronic health record-based algorithm was developed and validated to identify PPCS cases and controls from an institutional database of more than 2.8 million patients. PPCS cases (n = 274) were patients aged 5 to 18 years with PPCS-related diagnostic codes or with PPCS key words identified by natural language processing of clinical notes. Age, sex, and year of index event-matched controls (n = 1096) were patients with mild traumatic brain injury codes only. Patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury were excluded. All patients used our healthcare system at least 3 times 180 days before their injury. DESIGN: Case-control study. MAIN MEASURES: The outcome was algorithmic classification of PPCS. Exposures were all preinjury medical diagnoses assigned at least 180 days before the injury. RESULTS: Cases and controls both had a mean of more than 9 years of healthcare system use preinjury. Of 221 preinjury medical diagnoses, headache disorder was associated with PPCS after accounting for multiple testing (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-5.0; P = 2.1e-4). Six diagnoses were associated with PPCS at a suggestive threshold for statistical significance (false discovery rate P < .10): gastritis/duodenitis (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.6-5.1; P = 5.0e-4), sleep disorders (OR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.7; P = 7.4e-4), abdominal pain (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.2; P = 9.2e-4), chronic sinusitis (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5-5.2; P = 1.3e-3), congenital anomalies of the skin (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5-5.5; P = 1.9e-3), and chronic pharyngitis/nasopharyngitis (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.4-4.3; P = 2.5e-3). CONCLUSIONS: These results support the strong association of preinjury headache disorders with PPCS. An association of PPCS with prior gastritis/duodenitis, sinusitis, and pharyngitis/nasopharyngitis suggests a role for chronic inflammation in PPCS pathophysiology and risk, although results could equally be attributable to a higher likelihood of somatization among PPCS cases. Identified risk factors should be investigated further and potentially considered during the management of pediatric mild traumatic brain injury cases.

Endoscopic findings unrelated to portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing a varicose vein screening programme. / Hallazgos endoscópicos no relacionados con hipertensión portal en pacientes con cirrosis hepática sometidos a un programa de cribado de varices.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated with portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study including a consecutive cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis enrolled in a screening program of oesophageal varices who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from November, 2013, to November, 2018. Clinical predictors of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 379 patients were included. The most frequent aetiology of liver disease was alcohol consumption (60.4%). The prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated with portal hypertension was 39.6% (n=150). Among 96 patients with peptic lesions, urease was obtained in 56.2% of patients (positive in 44.4% of them). The prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension was not associated with age, gender, liver function or ultrasound findings of portal hypertension. The prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension was not associated with age, gender, liver function or ultrasound findings of portal hypertension. Smokers had a trend to increased prevalence of endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension (43.2% vs. 34.6%; p=0.09), particularly peptic ulcer (6.4% vs. 0.6%; p=0.05) and peptic duodenitis (17.3% vs. 6.3%; p=0.002). Active smoking was the only independent predictor of peptic ulcer or duodenitis (OR=2.56; p=0.017). CONCLUSION: Active smoking is a risk factor for endoscopic lesions unrelated to portal hypertension. This finding should be further investigated to reassess endoscopic screening programs in cirrhotic smokers.

[Eosinophilic duodenitis associated to food allergy debuting as acute visceral pain in an adult with vitiligo: a case report]. / Duodenitis eosinofílica asociada a alergia alimentaria debutando como dolor visceral agudo en un adulto con vitíligo: reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic duodenitis has a prevalence of 5.1 to 8.2 per 100000 persons. The underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown, but hypersensitivity (seasonal and food allergies, asthma, eczema) response plays a major role in its pathogenesis, allergic predisposition can be found up-to 25-35% of cases. The diagnosis includes clinical manifestation, imaging findings and histological evidence of eosinophilic infiltration >20 eosinophils per high-power field. This is a clinical case report. a 25-years old man with vitiligo consult to emergency department referring dyspepsia symptoms, vomiting and abdominal pain of maximal intensity, in the medical exam upper abdominal pain was found, blood laboratories were unremarkable except a high net eosinophil-count >2000 cells/ul, abdominal ultrasound were normal, upper endoscopy revealed duodenitis with rigid and thickened folds, colonoscopy show hemorrhoids grade I. Coproscopy exam was negative for parasites, total IgE, IgA and IgG were in normal range, a positive IgG to Toxoplasma gondii was reported, autoimmunity panel was negative. In the following 4 days the abdominal pain and eosinophils count increase, a new abdomin-pelvic tomography was done showing thickened duodenum with a new endoscopy showing marked edema in duodenum with severe biliary reflux with biopsies describing an atrophic chronic duodenitis. Allergy tests -skin prick and patch tests- were done resulting positive to cereals (rye, soy, barley), Manihot esculenta, green banana, tomato, cow milk, orange and pineapple. A restrictive diet and protons pump inhibitor was indicated, ambulatory control at 45 days after show symptoms resolution with a normal blood eosinophils count. Here is reported a case of eosinophilic duodenitis related to food allergy in a young man with vitiligo debuting with an unusual clinical presentation of acute visceral pain and biliary reflux which resolved with elimination diet and pantoprazole without use of corticoids, with both, IgE and non-IgE mechanisms playing important roles explaining food sensitization.

[Assessment of ten-year dynamics of cases of hospitalizations of patients with peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis and chronic duodenitis].

AIM: To assess of the ten-year dynamics of cases of hospitalizations of patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD), chronic gastritis and chronic duodenitis relative to the total number of people treated in the gastroenterological departments of the hospital in 20102019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of the annual reports of the work of the hospital departments were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: The relative number of persons hospitalized for chronic duodenitis decreased 2.8 times (p0.001), but the proportion of patients with chronic gastritis did not tend to decrease. This is most likely due to diagnostic errors. The cases of hospitalization of persons with uncomplicated PUD decreased by 3.1 times (p0.001), the proportion of men with duodenal ulcer decreased by 6.3 times (p0.001), with gastric ulcer decreased 1.9 times (p0.01). The proportion of women hospitalized with duodenal ulcer decreased 2.3 times (p0.01). The number of hospitalized men with duodenal ulcer is 3.8 times more than females (p0.001). It can be explained by a decrease in social stressful influences and active anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy. CONCLUSION: Over the period of follow-up, the cases of hospitalization of patients with uncomplicated PUD decreased, primarily due to a decrease in the proportion of persons with ulcer of the duodenum and duodenitis, while the number of patients with chronic gastritis not undergoing modern examination did not have significant dynamics.

CLINICAL, ENDOSCOPIC, AND HISTOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ARMENIAN CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT ABDOMINAL PAIN AND/OR DYSPEPSIA.

Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and dyspepsia are common complaints in children. These symptoms are often associated with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. The aim of the present study was to prospectively analyze clinical, endoscopic, and histological characteristics of Hp+ and Hp- children with RAP and/or dyspepsia. Patients aged 2-18 years with RAP and/or dyspepsia, referred for an upper endoscopy to Arabkir Medical Center - Institute of Child and Adolescent Health (Arabkir MC-ICAH) from November 2015 to December 2017, were involved in the study. Histology was assessed according to the updated Sydney system. Gastric and duodenal specimens were stained by modified Giemsa staining for Hp infection. One antral biopsy was cultured in Hp selective media. 150 patients were included into the study: 70.7% Hp+, 29.3% Hp-. Nausea and vomiting were significantly more common in Hp+ patients (p<0.05). Gastric nodularity (p=0.02), erosions in the stomach (p=0.056), and duodenal erosions (p=0.019) were more common in Hp+. Chronic active (p=0.027) and non-active gastritis (p=0.002), cumulative findings of metaplasia/dysplasia/atrophy in the stomach (p=0.014) and chronic non-active duodenitis (p=0.016), were significantly more common in Hp+ patients. Hp infection prevalence is high in Armenian children with dyspepsia and/or RAP. Clinical symptoms, endoscopic findings, and histopathological findings were significantly different in Hp+ patients as compared to Hp- patients.

Novel Case Report: A Previously Reported, but Pathophysiologically Unexplained, Association Between Collagenous Colitis and Protein-Losing Enteropathy May Be Explained by an Undetected Link with Collagenous Duodenitis.

Collagenous colitis (CC) is associated with non-bloody, watery diarrhea, which is pathophysiologically reasonable because normal colonic absorption (or excretion) of water and electrolytes can be blocked by the abnormally thick collagen layer in CC. However, CC has also been associated with six previous cases of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), with no pathophysiologic explanation. The colon does not normally absorb (or excrete) amino acids/proteins, which is primarily the function of the small bowel. Collagenous duodenitis (CD) has not been associated with PLE. This work reports a novel case of CD (and CC) associated with PLE; a pathophysiologically reasonable mechanism for CD causing PLE (by the thick collagen layer of CD blocking normal intestinal amino acid absorption); and a novel association of PLE with severe COVID-19 infection (attributed to relative immunosuppression from hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and malnutrition from PLE).

HLA-DQ Genotyping, Duodenal Histology, and Response to Exclusion Diet in Autistic Children With Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: A correlation between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and gastrointestinal (GI) problems, and a possible link between gluten consumption and ASD have been increasingly reported. Gluten/casein-free diet (GCFD) is often undertaken, with conflicting results. This study aimed at evaluating the distribution of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2/DQ8 typing among patients with ASD with GI symptoms, together with its correlation with duodenal histology and response to GCFD. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2015 all patients with ASD with GI symptoms referred to our outpatient clinic, displaying clinical, laboratory, or ultrasound findings suggestive of organic disease, underwent endoscopy, celiac disease (CD) serum antibodies testing and HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genotyping. Patients were prescribed a 6-month GCFD, and then clinically reassessed. RESULTS: Among 151 enrolled patients, 134 (89%) were negative for CD-specific antibodies; 72 (48%) were positive for HLA-DQ2/DQ8; and 56 (37%) showed duodenal microscopic inflammation. Clinical improvement was observed in non-CD patients irrespective of the rigorous or partial adherence to the diet, being the difference nonstatistically significant. Response to diet was related to the presence of histological duodenal alterations at baseline (odds ratio 11.323, 95% confidence interval 1.386-92.549 for Marsh 2 pattern), but not to HLA-DQ2/DQ8 positivity (odds ratio 1.120, 95% confidence interval 0.462-2.716). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that children with ASD with GI symptoms have a high prevalence of duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytic infiltration, which seems to be linked to a mechanism other than autoimmune response to gluten consumption. Alteration of duodenal histology, but not the HLA-DQ2/DQ8 status, was associated with clinical response to the diet.

Associations of Microscopic Colitis With Other Lymphocytic Disorders of the Gastrointestinal Tract.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lymphocytic disorders of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract seem to cluster in patients. We aimed to assess the frequency of comorbid occurrence of lymphocytic disorders in patients with microscopic colitis (MC). METHODS: We collected data from the Miraca Life Sciences Database, a large national electronic repository of histopathologic records of patients throughout the United States. In a population of 228,506 patients who underwent bidirectional endoscopy from January 2008 through July 2016, we studied the comorbid occurrence of celiac disease, duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis, lymphocytic gastritis, and lymphocytic esophagitis among 3456 patients with MC. Associations were described in terms of their odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Any type of lymphocytic disorder occurred in 13.7% of patients with MC and 5.9% of patients without MC. The ORs of lymphocytic disorders in patients with MC were: 2.56 (95% CI, 2.32-2.82) for any type of lymphocytic disorder, 3.07 (95% CI, 1.25-7.52) for lymphocytic esophagitis, 15.05 (95% CI, 12.31-18.41) for lymphocytic gastritis, 1.73 (95% CI, 1.53-21.96) for duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis, and 6.06 (95% CI, 5.06-7.25) for celiac disease. Comorbidities were more common in patients with lymphocytic than collagenous colitis, with an OR of 1.74 (95% CI, 1.42-2.13). Patients with MC with comorbidities were significantly younger and had a lower proportion of men than patients with MC patients without comorbidities. Diarrhea was the predominant symptoms in all patients MC, irrespective of comorbidities. CONCLUSION: In a retrospective study, we identified lymphocytic disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract that are significantly more common in patients with than without MC. These associations suggest the existence of an underlying etiology that is common to all lymphocytic disorders and that affects the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.

Gastroduodenal motility disorders.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent progress in the epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment of gastroduodenal motility disorders with an emphasis on functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis. RECENT FINDINGS: Pathophysiological research has focused on the association of delayed emptying and impaired accommodation with symptom pattern. Studies also confirmed the presence of altered mucosal integrity and low-grade immune activation in the duodenum in functional dyspepsia, while changes in numbers of interstitial cells of Cajal and myenteric neurons were confirmed in gastroparesis. Treatment advances in gastroparesis include new prokinetics such as the ghrelin receptor agonist relamorelin and the antiemetic agent aprepitant. The efficacy and use of neuromodulators were reviewed and new management guidelines for functional dyspepsia were published. SUMMARY: Pathophysiological research has focused on cellular changes in gastroparesis and gastroduodenal motility disorders. New treatments include relamorelin and aprepitant for gastroparesis.

[Substantiation of the model of clinical and economic efficiency evaluation of prevention, treatment, and dispenserization of the patients with comorbidity. The example of patients with arterial hypertension and duodenitis].

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Evidence based medicine requires reliant estimators of medical programs efficiency both in clinical and economical dimensions. It necessitates the substantiation of evaluation of assessment tools on the ground of clinical and economic theory. Developed model has advantage of direct link with classical economic analyses such as costutility, cost-efficiency, and cost-benefit. The aim was to substantiate the model of clinical and economic efficiency evaluation of medical program with allowance for comorbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Model developed on the premises of Zweifel & Breyer [1, 2], theoretical foundation based upon classical theory of moral hazard and consumer utility. Model describes equilibrium of patient's decision on the volume of medical services to consume. RESULTS: Results: We delivered the model development and equilibrium examination. Transformation of equilibrium model to cost-utility, cost-efficiency, and cost-benefit models displayed. There was also demonstrated the allowance for comorbidity with example of patients with duodenitis and arterial hypertension. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Proffered model based on theoretical ground of moral hazard and consumer utility. There is a direct linkage with cost-utility, cost-efficiency, and cost-benefit models. For the purpose of better cognition of practical applicability we introduced model in the context of dispenserization of the patients with duodenitis and arterial hypertension.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRONIC GASTRODUODENITIS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH FOOD HYPERSENSITIVITY.

The aim of our work was to evaluate the morphological features of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum in children with chronic diseases of the gastroduodenal zone on the background of food hypersensitivity. Morphological study was conducted for 50 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years who were in inpatient treatment in the gastroenterology department. In order to verify the diagnosis, all children were checked by fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy of the upper digestive tract with biopsy of the mucous membrane of the stomach antrum and the descending part of the duodenum. Bioptates were stained by hematoxylin-eosin, Van Gieson and performed on light microscope. The results of the research of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum show that adolescents with chronic gastroduodenitis and food hypersensitivity have 17 times higher risk of developing atrophy of duodenal mucous membrane, 11 times higher frequency of eosinophilic infiltration and 3 times higher incidence of mucous membrane fibrosis in the duodenum.

The Role of Duodenal Inflammation in Functional Dyspepsia.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is common and significantly impairs quality of life. Symptoms of FD are considered to originate from the gastroduodenal region, classified by the Rome criteria as disorders of brain-gut interaction without structural alteration. However, it is now apparent that FD is a number of syndromes, the epigastric pain syndrome (bothersome epigastric pain or epigastric burning) and the postprandial distress syndrome (with bothersome postprandial fullness or early satiation) and there are wide-ranging symptoms and severity. The origin of these troublesome symptoms is now considered to be a result of disrupted gastroduodenal neuropathophysiology. The complexity of the syndrome indicates that there must be different triggers, supported by the limited efficacy of the many treatments available. Current research based on evidence by association suggests that duodenal contents, including the duodenal microbiome, pathogens, and allergy may be triggers of FD. Recent studies have also shown that systemic responses of increased circulating lymphocytes and elevated proinflammatory cytokines and subtle inflammation in the duodenum may accompany the onset and persistence of symptoms. This inflammatory phenotype is characterized by innate inflammation, an eosinophil infiltrate in the duodenum in FD in those with postprandial distress syndrome. Routine histopathology practice does not quantify these cells so the status of FD is not yet appreciated as an inflammatory condition. Thus functional is becoming inflammatory and this breakthrough in understanding that functional does not necessarily mean no, but subtle pathology, may improve therapeutic options, which are currently aimed at symptom relief rather than targeted at underlying pathology.

Functional dyspepsia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Functional dyspepsia affects 10% of the population. Emerging data are beginning to unravel the pathogenesis of this heterogeneous disorder, and new data on treatment are helping to guide evidence-based practice. In this review, the latest advances are summarized and discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: The Rome IV criteria were published in 2016 and are similar to Rome III but further emphasize the subtypes (postprandial distress syndrome and epigastric pain syndrome) rather than focussing on the syndrome as a whole, and conclude that gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome are part of the functional dyspepsia spectrum. Environment is dominant in the pathogenesis. New data implicate herbivore pets and antibiotic exposure for a nongastrointestinal infection but require confirmation. Further experimental data suggest duodenal eosinophils and mast cells can alter enteric neuronal structure and function in functional dyspepsia. SUMMARY: Advances in our understanding of functional dyspepsia are changing clinical practice.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children from a hospital center of Northeast Romania.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the common etiologies, clinical and biological patterns of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in children from a hospital center in Northeast Romania. METHODS: This seven-year retrospective study was performed from 2007 to 2013 in St. Mary Children's Emergency Hospital, Jassy, Romania and included all children who referred to our center with UGIB exteriorized by hematemesis or melena. Endoscopy was performed under conscious sedation/general anesthesia after the informed consent was obtained. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients aged 1-18 years were included in this study. There were 57 males and 46 females with male to female ratio 1.2:1; 43.69% presented with hematemesis, 31.07% had melena and 25.24% had both. The most common causes of UGIB were erosive gastritis (33.98%), followed by esophagitis (14.56%), duodenitis (11.65%), duodenal ulcer (10.68%), gastric ulcer (5.83%), esophageal varices (4.85%), Mallory-Weiss syndrome (1.94%); multiple etiologies counted for 16.50% cases. A certain bleeding source was found in 34.95% cases, a possible one in 39.81% of the patients; the source could not be ascertained in 25.24% of cases. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption was documented in in 17.51% of patients. The incidence of H. pylori infection was 36.89%. CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of of upper GI bleeding in our series was gastritis, followed by oesophagitis and duodenitis. Most of the patients presented with hematemesis; previous consumption of NSAIDs and H. pylori infection were associated with gastroduodenal ulceration and bleeding. Early endoscopy was associated with a higher detection rate of the bleeding source.

Functional dyspepsia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Structural causes are absent in more than 50% of patients with symptoms referred to the gastroduodenal region when routine diagnostic tests are applied. New knowledge holds the prospect that targeted therapy may more optimally manage subsets of these patients with functional dyspepsia. RECENT FINDINGS: An understanding of gut-to-brain and brain-to-gut pathways in functional dyspepsia is expanding. Minimal mucosal inflammation with eosinophils (and in some cases mast cells) characterized by ultrastructural changes in the duodenum appears to be present in a substantial subgroup of functional dyspepsia patients as identified now by investigators globally. Although antibiotic therapy targeting Helicobacter pylori appears to be effective in a small proportion of functional dyspepsia patients, eradication therapy may be more effective in functional dyspepsia patients with microscopic duodenal inflammation, a potentially important finding needing to be confirmed. This may suggest that the effects of antibiotics for functional dyspepsia are not simply mediated by the eradication of gastric H. pylori, but have other antibacterial effects (e.g., on the duodenal microbiome). Abnormal visceral sensory function plays a key role not only in the manifestations of functional dyspepsia but also in peptic ulcer disease. SUMMARY: The pathophysiologic concepts underlying functional dyspepsia and related treatment approaches are shifting from a focus on H. pylori, acid suppression or modulation of motility toward new models. New evidence suggests that minimal duodenal inflammation plays a role in symptom generation in at least a proportion of patients with otherwise unexplained symptoms. This is a paradigm shift and ultimately may change the treatment of many patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders.