Endoscopic findings in uninvestigated dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: It is important to know the causes of dyspepsia to establish the therapeutic approach. Dyspepsia is a frequent syndrome in our country, where there are restrictions to endoscopy and high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This study aimed to assess the endoscopic findings of the syndrome, in an outpatient screening clinic of a tertiary hospital in São Paulo. METHODS: Outpatients with uninvestigated dyspepsia, according to Rome III criteria, answered a dyspepsia questionnaire and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The Rapid Urease Test was applied to fragments of the antral mucosa and epidemiological data were collected from the studied population. Organic dyspepsia findings were analyzed with different variables to verify statistically significant associations. RESULTS: Three hundred and six patients were included and 282 were analyzed in the study. The mean age was 44 years and women comprised 65% of the sample. Forty-five percent of the patients reported alarm symptoms. Functional dyspepsia was found in 66% of the patients (20% with normal endoscopy results and 46% with gastritis), 18% had GERD and 13% had ulcers (duodenal in 9% and gastric in 4%). Four cases of gastric adenocarcinoma were identified (1.4%), one without alarm characteristics, 1 case of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and 1 case of gastric lymphoma. The prevalence of H. pylori was 54% and infection, age and smoking status were associated with organic dyspepsia. The age of 48 years was indicative of alarm signs. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic diagnosis of uninvestigated dyspepsia in our setting showed a predominance of functional disease, whereas cancer was an uncommon finding, despite the high prevalence of H. pylori. Organic dyspepsia was associated with infection, age and smoking status.

Association of a probiotic to a Helicobacter pylori eradication regimen does not increase efficacy or decreases the adverse effects of the treatment: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The treatment for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is complex; full effectiveness is rarely achieved and it has many adverse effects. In developing countries, increased resistance to antibiotics and its cost make eradication more difficult. Probiotics can reduce adverse effects and improve the infection treatment efficacy.If the first-line therapy fails a second-line treatment using tetracycline, furazolidone and proton-pump inhibitors has been effective and low cost in Brazil; however it implies in a lot of adverse effects. The aim of this study was to minimize the adverse effects and increase the eradication rate applying the association of a probiotic compound to second-line therapy regimen. METHODS: Patients with peptic ulcer or functional dyspepsia infected by H. pylori were randomized to treatment with the furazolidone, tetracycline and lansoprazole regimen, twice a day for 7 days. In a double-blind study, patients received placebo or a probiotic compound (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus faecium) in capsules, twice a day for 30 days. A symptom questionnaire was administered in day zero, after completion of antibiotic therapy, after the probiotic use and eight weeks after the end of the treatment. Upper digestive endoscopy, histological assessment, rapid urease test and breath test were performed before and eight weeks after eradication treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and seven patients were enrolled: 21 men with active probiotic and 19 with placebo plus 34 women with active probiotic and 33 with placebo comprising a total of 55 patients with active probiotic and 52 with placebo. Fifty-one patients had peptic ulcer and 56 were diagnosed as functional dyspepsia. The per-protocol eradication rate with active probiotic was 89.8% and with placebo, 85.1% (p=0.49); per intention to treat, 81.8% and 79.6%, respectively (p=0.53). The rate of adverse effects at 7 days with the active probiotic was 59.3% and 71.2% with placebo (p=0.20). At 30 days, it was 44.9% and 60.4%, respectively (p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: The use of this probiotic compound compared to placebo in the proposed regimen in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer or functional dyspepsia showed no significant difference in efficacy or adverse effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN04714018.

Quadruple therapy with furazolidone for retreatment in patients with peptic ulcer disease.

AIM: To establish the efficacy and safety of a 7-d therapeutic regimen using omeprazole, bismuth subcitrate, furazolidone and amoxicillin in patients with peptic ulcer disease who had been previously treated with other therapeutic regimens without success. METHODS: Open cohort study which included patients with peptic ulcer who had previously been treated unsuccessfully with one or more eradication regimens. The therapeutic regimen consisted of 20 mg omeprazole, 240 mg colloidal bismuth subcitrate, 1000 mg amoxicillin, and 200 mg furazolidone, taken twice a day for 7 d. Patients were considered as eradicated when samples taken from the gastric antrum and corpus 12 wk after the end of treatment were negative for Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) (rapid urease test and histology). Safety was determined by the presence of adverse effects. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were enrolled. The eradication rate was 68.8% (31/45). Adverse effects were reported by 31.4% of the patients, and these were usually considered to be slight or moderate in the majority of the cases. Three patients had to withdraw from the treatment due to the presence of severe adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The association of bismuth, furazolidone, amoxicillin and a proton-pump inhibitor is a valuable alternative for patients who failed to respond to other eradication regimens. It is an effective, cheap and safe option for salvage therapy of positive patients.

A furazolidone-based quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori retreatment in patients with peptic ulcer disease.

PURPOSE: Many of the currently used eradication regimens against Helicobacter pylori fail to cure the infection either due to antimicrobial resistance or to poor patient compliance. The infection leads to increased risk of developing potentially severe complications, such as gastric cancer. This study was aimed at assessing the efficacy and safety of a quadruple therapy with furazolidone for H. pylori retreatment. METHODS: Patients who had failed one or more eradication regimens against H. pylori infection underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Biopsy specimens were taken from the gastric antrum and corpus for histology and for a urease test and. Patients received omeprazole 20 mg, bismuth citrate 240 mg, tetracycline 500 mg, and furazolidone 200 mg, all twice daily for 7 days. Therapeutic success was evaluated by endoscopy and biopsies 8 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: Sixty two patients were enrolled, and 58 completed the study. Under this protocol, H. pylori eradication was achieved in 39/58 patients (67%). Mild adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: The short quadruple therapy course with furazolidone is well tolerated, inexpensive, and effective in retreatment for H. pylori infection. It is a good option for developing countries.

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.

Efficacy of levofloxacin, amoxicillin and a proton pump inhibitor in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcers.

OBJECTIVES: The eradication of Helicobacter (H.) pylori allows peptic ulcers in patients infected with the bacteria to be cured. Treatment with the classic triple regimen (proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) has shown decreased efficacy due to increased bacterial resistance to clarithromycin. In our country, the eradication rate by intention to treat with this regimen is 83%. In Brazil, a commercially available regimen for bacterial eradication that uses levofloxacin and amoxicillin with lansoprazole is available; however, its efficacy is not known. Considering that such a treatment may be an alternative to the classic regimen, we aimed to verify its efficacy in H. pylori eradication. METHODS: Patients with peptic ulcer disease infected with H. pylori who had not received prior treatment were treated with the following regimen: 30 mg lansoprazole bid, 1,000 mg amoxicillin bid and 500 mg levofloxacin, once a day for 7 days. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were evaluated. The patients' mean age was 52 years, and women comprised 55% of the sample. Duodenal ulcers were present in 50% of cases, and gastric ulcers were present in 30%. The eradication rate was 74% per protocol and 73% by intention to treat. Adverse effects were reported by 49 patients (74%) and were mild to moderate, with a prevalence of diarrhea complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Triple therapy comprising lansoprazole, amoxicillin and levofloxacin for 7 days for the eradication of H. pylori in Brazilian peptic ulcer patients showed a lower efficacy than that of the classic triple regimen.

Standard Triple Therapy versus Sequential Therapy in Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Controlled Trial.

Aim. To compare 10-day standard triple therapy versus sequential therapy as first-line treatment in patients infected with H. pylori. Methods. One hundred H. pylori positive patients (diagnosed by rapid urease test and histology), with average age of 47.2, M/F = 28/72, were randomized to receive either standard triple treatment (TT) as follows: lansoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and amoxicillin 1 g, b.i.d. for ten days, or sequential treatment (ST) as follows: lansoprazole 30 mg, amoxicillin and placebo 1.0 g b.i.d for the first five days, followed by lansoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, and tinidazole 500 mg b.i.d, for the remaining five days. Eradication rates were determined 60 days after treatment by urease, histology, or (13)C-urea breath test. Results. In intention to treat (ITT) analysis, the rate of H. pylori eradication in the TT and ST groups was the same for both regimens as follows: 86% (43/50), 95% CI 93,3 to 73.4%. In Per protocol (PP) analysis, the rate of H. pylori eradication in the TT and ST groups was 87.8% (43/49), 95% CI 94,5 to 75.3% and 89.6% (43/48), 95% CI 95,8 to 77.3%, respectively. Conclusions. In Brazil, standard triple therapy is as equally effective as sequential therapy in eradicating Helicobacter pylori patients. This study was registered under Clinical Trials with number ISRCTN62400496.

Therapeutic efficacy of ranitidine bismuth citrate with clarithromycin for seven days in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Brazilian peptic ulcer patients.

CONTEXT: The curative treatment of peptic ulcer is made available nowadays through the eradication of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is associated with it, but the best therapeutic regimen is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a therapeutic regimen with 400 mg ranitidine bismuth citrate associated with 500 mg clarithromycin given twice a day for seven days in a cohort of Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer. TYPE OF STUDY: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary-care hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and twenty nine outpatients, with active or healed peptic ulcers infected by Helicobacter pylori, diagnosed via endoscopy with confirmation via the urease test and histological examination, who had never undergone a regimen for the eradication of the bacterium. PROCEDURE: Administration of 400 mg ranitidine-bismuth and 500 mg clarithromycin twice a day, for seven days. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Efficacy of the treatment, with a check on the cure done via another endoscopy eight weeks after drug administration. The eradication of the bacterium was determined via the urease test and histological examination. Patients who were negative for both were considered to be cured. RESULTS: Eight patients failed to complete the study. The eradication rate according to intention to treat was 81% (104/129) and per protocol was 86% (104/121). CONCLUSION: The bismuth ranitidine compound associated with clarithromycin used for one week was shown to be a simple, effective and well-tolerated therapeutic regimen for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Clinical and endoscopic evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients successfully treated with esomeprazole.

BACKGROUND: Esomeprazole, an S-isomer of omeprazole, is the first proton pump inhibitor developed as an optical isomer, and it has shown high healing rates in erosive esophagitis. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of esomeprazole in subjects with erosive esophagitis, according to the Los Angeles classification study design: an open, multi-center clinical study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and eighteen subjects with reflux esophagitis confirmed by endoscopy were included in an open, multi-center study in Brazil. All of them received esomeprazole 40 mg, once daily, for a 4-week period. Subjects who had unhealed esophagitis by week 4 continued the treatment for another 4 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the healing rates by weeks 4 and 8. The secondary endpoints were the number of patients with symptom resolution by week 4, the number of days to sustained symptom resolution, number of symptom-free days and nights and safety and tolerability of the drug. RESULTS: Healing rates by weeks 4 and 8 were 82% (confidence interval: 77.4%-87.6%) and 96.1% (confidence interval: 93.5% - 98.8%), respectively. Ninety-nine (99%) of the patients had heartburn resolution by week 2. The most common adverse events were headache (4%), diarrhea (2.6%) and epigastric pain (2.2%). CONCLUSION: For the studied period, esomeprazole was shown to be a safe and well-tolerated drug, providing significant healing rates of mucosal breaks, regardless of LA classification, in patients with erosive esophagitis. Esomeprazole was also shown to be effective in quickly relieving symptoms.

The impact of Helicobacter pylori resistance on the efficacy of a short course pantoprazole based triple therapy.

BACKGROUND: Many of the currently used Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens fail to cure the infection due to either antimicrobial resistance or poor patient compliance. Those patients will remain at risk of developing potentially severe complications of peptic ulcer disease. AIM: We studied the impact of the antimicrobial resistance on the efficacy of a short course pantoprazole based triple therapy in a single-center pilot study. METHODS: Forty previously untreated adult patients (age range 20 to 75 years, 14 males) infected with Helicobacter pylori and with inactive or healing duodenal ulcer disease were assigned in this open cohort study to 1 week twice daily treatment with pantoprazole 40 mg, plus clarithromycin 250 mg and metronidazole 400 mg. Helicobacter pylori was assessed at entry and 50 3 days after the end of treatment by rapid urease test, culture and histology of gastric biopsies. The criteria for eradication was a negative result in the tests. Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to clarithromycin and metronidazole was determined before treatment with the disk diffusion test. RESULTS: One week treatment and follow up were complete in all patients. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori was achieved in 35/40 patients (87.5%) and was higher in patients with nitroimidazole-susceptible strains [susceptible: 20/20 (100%), resistant: 10/15 (67%)]. There were six (15%) mild adverse events reports. CONCLUSIONS: A short course of pantoprazole-based triple therapy is well tolerated and effective in eradicating Helicobacter pylori. The baseline metronidazole resistance may be a significant limiting factor in treatment success.

Influence of exercise testing in gastroesophageal reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a worldwide prevalent condition that exhibits a large variety of signs and symptoms of esophageal or extra-esophageal nature and can be related to the esophagic adenocarcinoma. In the last few years, greater importance has been given to the influence of physical exercises on it. Some recent investigations, though showing conflicting results, point to an exacerbation of gastroesophageal reflux during physical exercises. AIM: To evaluate the influence of physical activities in patients presenting with erosive and non erosive disease by ergometric stress testing and influence of the lower esophageal sphincter tonus and body mass index during this situation. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with erosive disease (group I) and 10 patients with non-erosive disease (group II) were prospectively evaluated. All the patients were submitted to clinical evaluation, followed by upper digestive endoscopy, manometry and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. An ergometric testing was performed 1 h before removing the esophageal pH probe. During the ergometric stress testing, the following variables were analyzed: test efficacy, maximum oxygen uptake, acid reflux duration, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, influence of the lower esophageal sphincter tonus and influence of body mass index in the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux during these physical stress. RESULTS: Maximum oxigen consumption or VO 2 max, showed significant correlation when it was 70% or higher only in the erosive disease group, evaluating the patients with or without acid reflux during the ergometric testing (p=0,032). The other considered variables didn't show significant correlations between gastroesophageal reflux and physical activity (p>0,05). CONCLUSIONS: 1) Highly intensive physical activity can predispose the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux episodes in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with erosive disease; 2) light or short sessions of physical activity have no influence on reflux, regardless of body mass index; 3) the lower esophageal sphincter tonus does not influence the occurrence of reflux disease episodes during exercise testing.

Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in Brazil: clarithromycin is still a good option.

CONTEXT: The antibiotic susceptibility is the cornerstone for the eradication therapies of Helicobacter pylori. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of primary resistance of H. pylori was evaluated in an urban Brazilian population. METHODS: H. pylori isolates were obtained from patients submitted to an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the evaluation of dyspeptic symptoms. Biopsies from antrum, corpus and fundus were taken to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of H. pylori isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration of furazolidone and bismuth were routinely determined by agar dilution method and the minimal inhibitory for amoxicillin, clarithromycin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and metronidazole were routinely determined with the E-test. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of H. pylori strains were obtained from 39 patients. Resistance to metronidazole was detected in 20 patients (51%), to clarithromycin in 3 patients (8%), to levofloxacin in 9 patients (23%) and to bismuth in 2 patients (5%). There was no observed resistance to amoxicillin, tetracycline or furazolidone. CONCLUSION: Due to the low amoxicillin and clarithromycin resistance observed in this study, therapies using these antimicrobials remain appropriated first-line H. pylori therapy.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms refractory to proton pump inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: TREATMEN The contribution of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) to refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unknown. When EoE and GERD overlap, the clinical, endoscopic and histological findings are nonspecific and cannot be used to distinguish between the two disorders. Limited data are available on this topic, and the interaction between EoE and GERD is a matter of debate. AIM: We have conducted a prospective study of adult patients with refractory GERD to evaluate the overlap of reflux and EoE. METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2008, we consecutively and prospectively enrolled 130 male and female patients aged 18 to 70 years old who experienced persistent heartburn and/or regurgitation more than twice a week over the last 30 days while undergoing at least six consecutive weeks of omeprazole treatment (at least 40 mg once a day). The patients underwent an upper digestive endoscopy with esophageal biopsy, and intraepithelial eosinophils were counted after hematoxylin/eosin staining. The diagnosis of EoE was based on the presence of 20 or more eosinophils per high-power field (eo/HPF) in esophageal biopsies. RESULTS: Among the 103 studied patients, 79 (76.7%) were females. The patients had a mean age of 45.5 years and a median age of 47 years. Endoscopy was normal in 83.5% of patients, and erosive esophagitis was found in 12.6%. Only one patient presented lesions suggestive of EoE. Histological examination revealed >20 eo/HPF in this patient. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a low prevalence of EoE among patients with refractory GERD undergoing omeprazole treatment.

Clarithromycin-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori treatment in peptic ulcer patients.

INTRODUCTION: The scheme proton pump inhibitor/amoxicillin/clarithromycin (PPI/AC) is still the first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections despite evidence suggesting its failure in up to 20% to 30% of patients. METHODOLOGY: This study involved 493 patients who were prescribed omeprazole (20 mg twice a day) or another proton pump inhibitor in equivalent dosage, amoxicillin (1 g twice a day), and clarithromycin (500 mg twice a day) for seven days. Efficacy was determined by negative urease test and absence of H. pylori on gastric biopsy samples twelve weeks after the end of treatment. Safety was defined according to the adverse effects reported. Mean age of the patients was (± SD) 48.96 ± 13, and demographic and clinical data were recorded for correlation with treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Out of 493 patients, 316 (64.1%) presented duodenal ulcer, 111 (22.5%) gastric ulcer, and 66 (14.4%) simultaneous gastric and duodenal ulcers. Additionally, 267 (54.2%) patients had at least one risk factor for peptic ulcer disease, smoking being the most common (99 [36.5%]). Successful eradication was achieved in 408 patients. The eradication rates per protocol, and according to the intention to treat, were 88.8% and 82.7%, respectively.  Of 164 (35.5%) patients who presented adverse effects, 100 (61%) reported them as mild and only six (3.7%) patients had to discontinue treatment. Previous use of tobacco and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs was the only risk factor for treatment failure (P = 0.00). CONCLUSION: PPI/AC is still a valuable and remarkably tolerable option for first-line H. pylori eradication in Brazil.

Efficacy of levofloxacin, amoxicillin and a proton pump inhibitor in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcers

OBJECTIVES: The eradication of Helicobacter (H.) pylori allows peptic ulcers in patients infected with the bacteria to be cured. Treatment with the classic triple regimen (proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) has shown decreased efficacy due to increased bacterial resistance to clarithromycin. In our country, the eradication rate by intention to treat with this regimen is 83%. In Brazil, a commercially available regimen for bacterial eradication that uses levofloxacin and amoxicillin with lansoprazole is available; however, its efficacy is not known. Considering that such a treatment may be an alternative to the classic regimen, we aimed to verify its efficacy in H. pylori eradication. METHODS: Patients with peptic ulcer disease infected with H. pylori who had not received prior treatment were treated with the following regimen: 30 mg lansoprazole bid, 1,000 mg amoxicillin bid and 500 mg levofloxacin, once a day for 7 days. RESULTS: A total of 66 patients were evaluated. The patients’ mean age was 52 years, and women comprised 55% of the sample. Duodenal ulcers were present in 50% of cases, and gastric ulcers were present in 30%. The eradication rate was 74% per protocol and 73% by intention to treat. Adverse effects were reported by 49 patients (74%) and were mild to moderate, with a prevalence of diarrhea complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Triple therapy comprising lansoprazole, amoxicillin and levofloxacin for 7 days for the eradication of H. pylori in Brazilian peptic ulcer patients showed a lower efficacy than that of the classic triple regimen. .

Neither genotype nor the gastric colonization site of Helicobacter pylori are predictive factors for the development of erosive esophagitis in patients with peptic ulcer disease, 1 year after eradication.

CONTEXT: Whether Helicobacter pylori infection is a protective or predisposing factor for the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease remains controversial. The most virulent strains, such as those expressing the cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), and the site of gastric colonization have been correlated with the prevention or development of esophagitis. AIM: To determine the incidence of erosive esophagitis following eradication of H. pylori in patients with peptic ulcer disease and to evaluate the association of erosive esophagitis with virulent strains of H. pylori and the site of gastric colonization. METHODS: Triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin was administered to 159 patients with peptic ulcer disease. Endoscopy, histopathology, urease and carbon-14 urea breath tests were performed prior to treatment, at 3 months and 1 year following treatment. Genotyping of H. pylori strains using polymerase chain reaction was performed separately on samples from the corpus and antrum. RESULTS: One year after treatment, 148 successfully treated patients were reevaluated. Twenty-eight patients (19%) had erosive esophagitis, classified as Los Angeles grade A in 24 and B in 4. The samples taken from the corpus were CagA-positive in 18 patients (64%), while the samples taken from the antrum were CagA-positive in 21 patients (75%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of erosive esophagitis in peptic ulcer patients who had their H. pylori eradicated was 19%. No correlation was found between the gastric site colonized by H. pylori or strains expressing CagA and the prevention or development of erosive esophagitis in patients with peptic ulcer disease, 1 year after infection eradication.

Influence of exercise testing in gastroesophageal reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease / Influencia do teste de esforco no refluxo gastroesofagico em portadores de doenca do refluxo gastroesofagico

Background : Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a worldwide prevalent condition that exhibits a large variety of signs and symptoms of esophageal or extra-esophageal nature and can be related to the esophagic adenocarcinoma. In the last few years, greater importance has been given to the influence of physical exercises on it. Some recent investigations, though showing conflicting results, point to an exacerbation of gastroesophageal reflux during physical exercises. Aim : To evaluate the influence of physical activities in patients presenting with erosive and non erosive disease by ergometric stress testing and influence of the lower esophageal sphincter tonus and body mass index during this situation. Methods : Twenty-nine patients with erosive disease (group I) and 10 patients with non-erosive disease (group II) were prospectively evaluated. All the patients were submitted to clinical evaluation, followed by upper digestive endoscopy, manometry and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. An ergometric testing was performed 1 h before removing the esophageal pH probe. During the ergometric stress testing, the following variables were analyzed: test efficacy, maximum oxygen uptake, acid reflux duration, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, influence of the lower esophageal sphincter tonus and influence of body mass index in the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux during these physical stress. Results : Maximum oxigen consumption or VO 2 max, showed significant correlation when it was 70% or higher only in the erosive disease group, evaluating the patients with or without acid reflux during the ergometric testing (p=0,032). The other considered variables didn't show significant correlations between gastroesophageal reflux and physical activity (p>0,05). Conclusions : 1) Highly intensive physical activity can predispose the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux episodes in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with erosive disease; ...

Racional : A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico é afecção com elevada prevalência em todo o mundo, que apresenta grande variedade de sinais e sintomas esofagianos ou extra-esofágico, podendo ter entre suas complicações o adenocarcinoma esofágico. Nos últimos anos, maior importância tem sido dada à influência dos exercícios físicos na sua patogênese. Algumas investigações recentes, embora com resultados conflitantes, apontam para agravamento do refluxo gastroesofágico durante eles. Objetivos : Avaliar a influência da atividade física em pacientes com doença erosiva e não erosiva através do teste ergométrico de esforço, e ainda, a relevância do tônus ​​do esfíncter esofagiano inferior e do índice de massa corpórea durante esta situação. Métodos : Vinte e nove pacientes com doença do refluxo erosiva (grupo I) e 10 com não-erosiva (grupo II) foram avaliados prospectivamente. Todos foram submetidos à avaliação clínica, seguida pela endoscopia digestiva alta, manometria e pH-metria esofágica de 24 horas. Um teste ergométrico foi realizado uma hora antes de retirar a sonda de pH-metria. Durante ele as seguintes variáveis ​​foram analisadas: eficácia do teste, o consumo máximo de oxigênio ou VO2 max, tempo de refluxo ácido, sintomas de refluxo gastroesofágico, influência do tônus ​​do esfíncter esofágico e do índice de massa corporal na ocorrência de refluxo gastroesofágico durante esta situação. Resultados : VO2 max apresentou correlação significativa, quando foi maior ou igual a 70%, apenas no grupo doença erosiva, avaliando os pacientes com ou sem refluxo ácido durante o teste ergométrico ...

Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance in Brazil: clarithromycin is still a good option / Resistência do Helicobacter pylori aos antibióticos no Brasil: a claritromicina ainda é uma boa opção

CONTEXT: The antibiotic susceptibility is the cornerstone for the eradication therapies of Helicobacter pylori. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of primary resistance of H. pylori was evaluated in an urban Brazilian population. METHODS:H. pylori isolates were obtained from patients submitted to an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the evaluation of dyspeptic symptoms. Biopsies from antrum, corpus and fundus were taken to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of H. pylori isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration of furazolidone and bismuth were routinely determined by agar dilution method and the minimal inhibitory for amoxicillin, clarithromycin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, and metronidazole were routinely determined with the E-test. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of H. pylori strains were obtained from 39 patients. Resistance to metronidazole was detected in 20 patients (51 percent), to clarithromycin in 3 patients (8 percent), to levofloxacin in 9 patients (23 percent) and to bismuth in 2 patients (5 percent). There was no observed resistance to amoxicillin, tetracycline or furazolidone. CONCLUSION: Due to the low amoxicillin and clarithromycin resistance observed in this study, therapies using these antimicrobials remain appropriated first-line H. pylori therapy.

CONTEXTO: A susceptibilidade aos antibióticos é a pedra fundamental dos tratamentos de erradicação do Helicobacter pylori. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência da resistência primária do H. pylori aos antibióticos em uma população urbana do Brasil. MÉTODOS: As cepas do H. pylori foram obtidas de pacientes submetidos a endoscopia digestiva para avaliação de sintomas dispépticos. Biopsias do antro, corpo e fundo gástrico foram realizadas para determinar a susceptibilidade das cepas do H. pylori aos antibióticos. A concentração inibitória mínima da furazolidona e do bismuto foram determinadas rotineiramente pelo método da diluição em Agar e a concentração inibitória mínima da amoxicilina, claritromicina, tetraciclina, levofloxacina e do metronidazol foram determinadas pelo E-test. RESULTADOS: Cinquenta e quarto pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. Destes, a susceptibilidade das cepas do H. pylori in vitro foi determinada em 39 pacientes. Resistência ao metronidazol foi detectada em 20 pacientes (51 por cento), à claritromicina em 3 pacientes (8 por cento), à levofloxacina in 9 pacientes (23 por cento) e ao bismuto em 2 pacientes (5 por cento). não foi observada resistência à amoxicilina, tetraciclina e à furazolidona. CONCLUSÃO: Devido à baixa resistência, observada neste estudo para a amoxicilina e a claritromicina, os tratamentos que usam estes antibióticos permanecem apropriados como esquemas de primeira linha para a erradicação do H. pylori.

Eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms refractory to proton pump inhibitor

BACKGROUND: TREATMEN The contribution of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) to refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unknown. When EoE and GERD overlap, the clinical, endoscopic and histological findings are nonspecific and cannot be used to distinguish between the two disorders. Limited data are available on this topic, and the interaction between EoE and GERD is a matter of debate. AIM: We have conducted a prospective study of adult patients with refractory GERD to evaluate the overlap of reflux and EoE. METHODS: Between July 2006 and June 2008, we consecutively and prospectively enrolled 130 male and female patients aged 18 to 70 years old who experienced persistent heartburn and/or regurgitation more than twice a week over the last 30 days while undergoing at least six consecutive weeks of omeprazole treatment (at least 40 mg once a day). The patients underwent an upper digestive endoscopy with esophageal biopsy, and intraepithelial eosinophils were counted after hematoxylin/eosin staining. The diagnosis of EoE was based on the presence of 20 or more eosinophils per high-power field (eo/HPF) in esophageal biopsies. RESULTS: Among the 103 studied patients, 79 (76.7 percent) were females. The patients had a mean age of 45.5 years and a median age of 47 years. Endoscopy was normal in 83.5 percent of patients, and erosive esophagitis was found in 12.6 percent. Only one patient presented lesions suggestive of EoE. Histological examination revealed >20 eo/HPF in this patient. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a low prevalence of EoE among patients with refractory GERD undergoing omeprazole treatment.

No correlation of babA2 with vacA and cagA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori and grading of gastritis from peptic ulcer disease patients in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The babA2 gene, which encodes a blood-group antigen-binding adhesin that mediates attachment of Helicobacter pylori to human Lewis(b) antigens on gastric epithelial cells, has been associated with a higher risk of peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the frequency of babA2 genotype in H. pylori strains of patients with peptic ulcer and to correlate with other virulence factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: vacA, cagA, and babA2 genotypes of H. pylori were determined by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA was extracted from positive urease test gastric samples of 150 patients with peptic ulcer. Antrum and corpus biopsies were taken for histologic examination according to the updated Sydney system classification. RESULTS: babA2 genotype was present in 104 (69.3%) and cagA in 113 (75.3%) gastric samples. No significant correlation was observed between babA2 and vacAs1 genotype or between babA2 and cagA status. The correlation of vacAs1 genotype with positive cagA was statistically significant ( p < .001). The babA2-positive strain was more frequently found from the gastric samples of men, than of women (p = .01). Strains harboring cagA, vacAs1, and babA2 genotypes had no association to the grading of gastritis, presence of glandular atrophy, or intestinal metaplasia. The simultaneous presence of cagA, vacAs1, and babA2 was found in 32.6% of the H. pylori strains. CONCLUSIONS: babA2 genotype is frequently found in H. pylori strains from peptic ulcer disease in Brazil, although it has no significant correlation to the worsening of the gastritis and to other virulence markers such as vacAs1 and cagA.