Ulcer and bleeding complications and their relationship with dyspeptic symptoms in NSAIDs users: a transversal multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of lesions and digestive complications secondary to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the clinical profile seen for digestive complaints and the relation with the endoscopic findings. METHODS: Prospective, multicentric, open study, evaluating consecutively 1231 patients, divided as follows: group I - NSAID and group II - non-NSAID. All patients answered questionnaire to evaluate the onset, the type of clinical complaint, the use of medication and possible complications associated to digestive bleeding. RESULTS. A total of 1213 patients were evaluated. Among them, 65% were female and 13.1% were smokers; 15.6% mentioned they ingested alcoholic beverages. The main signs and symptoms reported were epigastralgy and pyrosis (67% and 62%, respectively). The upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy was normal in 3.9% in group I and in 10.7% in group II (p < 0.001). Patient who do not use NSAID will be 2.5 times more likely to have normal UGI endoscopy (p = 0.001). The presence of erosive or ulcer lesions in the stomach and duodenum was more frequent in group I. The incidence of lesions in the stomach when compared to the duodenum is observed (erosions: 49.12% vs. 13.60%, p = 0.001; ulcers: 14.04% vs. 11.84%, p = 0.05). The risk of digestive bleeding is 12 times higher (6.14% vs. 0.51%) in those who used NSAIDs, and the stomach is the site in which bleeding occurs more frequently. Conclusions. The frequency of gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer and digestive bleeding was higher in patients who used NSAIDs. There was no connection found between endoscopic findings and dyspeptic symptoms.

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.

Efficacy of Early Optimization of Infliximab Guided by Therapeutic Drug Monitoring during Induction-A Prospective Trial.

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) during induction therapy with anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs has emerged as a strategy to optimize response to these biologics and avoid undesired outcomes related to inadequate drug exposure. This study aimed to describe clinical, biological, and endoscopic remission rates at six months in Brazilian inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients following a proactive TDM algorithm guided by IFX trough levels (ITL) and antibodies to IFX (ATI) levels during induction, at week six. A total of 111 IBD patients were prospectively enrolled, excluding those previously exposed to the drug. ITL ≥ 10 µg/mL was considered optimal. Patients with suboptimal ITL (<10 µg/mL) were guided according to ATI levels. Those who presented ATI ≤ 200 ng/mL underwent dose intensification in the maintenance phase, and patients with ATI > 200 ng/mL discontinued IFX. In our study, proactive TDM was associated with persistence in the IFX rate at six months of 82.9%. At that time, rates of clinical, biological, and endoscopic remission in patients under IFX treatment were 80.2%, 73.9%, and 48.1%, respectively. Applying a simplified TDM-guided algorithm during induction seems feasible and can help improve patients' outcomes in clinical practice.

ASSESSMENT OF THE INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA IN ADULTS WITH EROSIVE ESOPHAGITIS.

BACKGROUND: The intestinal microbiota influences the appropriate function of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal dysbiosis may be associated with a higher risk of esophageal lesions, mainly due to changes in gastroesophageal motility patterns, elevation of intra-abdominal pressure, and increased frequency of transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal microbiota in individuals with erosive esophagitis and in healthy individuals using metagenomics. METHODS: A total of 22 fecal samples from adults aged between 18 and 60 years were included. Eleven individuals had esophagitis (eight men and three women) and 11 were healthy controls (10 men and one woman). The individuals were instructed to collect and store fecal material into a tube containing guanidine solution. The DNA of the microbiota was extracted from each fecal samples and PCR amplification was performed using primers for the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The amplicons were sequenced using the Ion Torrent PGM platform and the data were analyzed using the QIIME™ software version 1.8. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test and the ANOSIM non-parametric method based on distance matrix. RESULTS: The alpha-diversity and beta-diversity indices were similar between the two groups, without statistically significant differences. There was no statistically significant difference in the phylum level. However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the abundance of the family Clostridiaceae (0.3% vs 2.0%, P=0.032) and in the genus Faecaliumbacterium (10.5% vs 4.5%, P=0.045) between healthy controls and esophagitis patients. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that reduced abundance of the genus Faecaliumbacterium and greater abundance of the family Clostridiaceae may be risk factors for the development of erosive esophagitis. Intervention in the composition of the intestinal microbiota should be considered as an adjunct to current therapeutic strategies for this clinical condition.

Conscious awakenings are commonly associated with Acid reflux events in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: More than half of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) report heartburn that awakens them from sleep. We aimed to determine the frequency of conscious awakenings associated with acid reflux events during sleep and their relationship with symptoms in patients with GERD compared with normal subjects. METHODS: The study included 39 patients with heartburn and/or regurgitation at least 3 times each week and 9 healthy individuals as controls. Subjects underwent pH testing concomitantly with actigraphy. Novel software simultaneously integrated raw actigraphy and pH data matched by time to determine patients' conscious awakenings during sleep and their temporal relationship with acid reflux events and GERD-related symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 104 and 11 conscious awakenings were recorded in 89.7% of patients and 77.8% of normal controls, respectively. The mean number of conscious awakenings was significantly higher in the group with GERD compared with controls (3.0 ± 0.3 vs 1.8 ± 0.4, P < .05). Of the conscious awakenings, 51.9% (51/104) were associated with an acid reflux event in GERD patients and 0 in controls (P < .01). Only 16.3% of total conscious awakenings were symptomatic. In most of the conscious awakenings that were associated with an acid reflux event (85.6%), the awakening preceded the reflux event. CONCLUSIONS: Acid reflux events occur primarily after an awakening episode. Conscious awakenings from sleep are common among patients with GERD and are frequently associated with acid reflux events. However, conscious awakenings associated with reflux events are seldom symptomatic.

Reassessment of the principal characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux during the recumbent period using integrated actigraphy-acquired information.

OBJECTIVES: Characterization of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) events during the sleep period has been hampered by lack of any patient-friendly technique that allows accurate assessment of sleep duration and awakening time, without confining patients to a sleep laboratory. Our aim was to compare principal reflux characteristics during the upright, recumbent-awake, and recumbent-asleep periods as well as to determine the effect of sleep awakenings on the principal reflux characteristics of the recumbent-asleep period using novel technology that allows integration of recorded actigraphy data into collected pH information. METHODS: Patients with heartburn at least three times a week for the previous 3 months were invited to participate in this study. All participants were evaluated by the demographics and the GERD Symptom Checklist questionnaires. Thereafter, patients underwent ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH monitoring concomitantly with actigraphy. A novel technique was used to superimpose simultaneously recorded raw actigraphy data over pH data, resulting in more accurate information about reflux events during upright, recumbent-awake, recumbent-asleep, and conscious awakening periods as well as the relationship between symptoms and acid reflux events in the aforementioned periods. RESULTS: Thirty-nine subjects (M/F: 26/13, mean age 56.6+/-14 years) with an abnormal pH test were enrolled into the study. The recumbent period appeared heterogeneous and was clearly divided into recumbent-awake (123.0+/-20.2 min) and recumbent-asleep (485.6+/-23.6 min) periods. The percent total time pH<4, the mean number of acid reflux events, and the number of symptoms associated with reflux events were significantly greater in the recumbent-awake as compared with the recumbent-asleep period. The mean duration of an acid reflux event was not different among upright, recumbent-awake, and recumbent-asleep periods. However, short-duration reflux events during the sleep period were associated with conscious awakenings as compared with those during sleep (0.74+/-0.11 min vs. 1.64+/-0.3 min, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The recumbent period is divided into recumbent-awake and recumbent-asleep periods. The recumbent-awake period has significantly different principal reflux characteristics than the recumbent-asleep period. Duration of an acid reflux event during the recumbent-asleep period is not uniformly prolonged. Short-duration acid reflux events during the sleep period are likely due to conscious awakenings.

Upper GI tract findings in patients with heartburn in whom proton pump inhibitor treatment failed versus those not receiving antireflux treatment.

BACKGROUND: Failure of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment in patients with heartburn is very common. Because endoscopy is easily accessible, it is commonly used as the first evaluative tool in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare GERD-related endoscopic and histologic findings in patients with heartburn in whom once-daily PPI therapy failed versus those not receiving antireflux treatment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A Veterans Affairs hospital. PATIENTS: Heartburn patients from the GI outpatient clinic. INTERVENTION: Recording of endoscopic results. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Endoscopic findings and association between PPI treatment failure and esophageal mucosal injury by using logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 105 subjects (mean age 54.7 +/- 15.7 years; 71 men, 34 women) were enrolled in the PPI treatment failure group and 91 (mean age 53.4 +/- 15.8 years; 68 men, 23 women) were enrolled in the no-treatment group (P = not significant). Anatomic findings during upper endoscopy were significantly more common in the no-treatment group compared with the PPI treatment failure group (55.2% vs 40.7%, respectively; P = .04). GERD-related findings were significantly more common in the no-treatment group compared with the PPI treatment failure group (erosive esophagitis: 30.8% vs 6.7%, respectively; P < .05). Eosinophilic esophagitis was found in only 0.9% of PPI treatment failure patients. PPI treatment failure was associated with a significantly decreased odds ratio of erosive esophagitis compared with no treatment, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index (adjusted odds ratio 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04-0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Heartburn patients in whom once-daily PPI treatment failed demonstrated a paucity of GERD-related findings compared with those receiving no treatment. Eosinophilic esophagitis was uncommon in PPI therapy failure patients. Upper endoscopy seems to have a very low diagnostic yield in this patient population.

Helicobacter pylori reinfection in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer disease: a 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The Helicobacter pylori reinfection seems to be higher in developing countries, than in developed ones. The aim of the study was to determine the annual recurrence rate of H. pylori, in Brazilian patients with peptic ulcer disease, in a 5-year follow-up. METHODS: Patients, with peptic ulcer disease diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy (UDE) and H. pylori infection verified by histological analysis, rapid urease test, polymerase chain reaction, and urea breath test (UBT), were treated for bacterial eradication. The cure of the infection was verified using the same tests, 3 months after. Clinical evaluation and UBT were performed after sixth and ninth month. After 1 year of follow-up, UBT and UDE were repeated. Up to the fifth year, patients were assessed twice a year and an UBT was performed annually. The patients included and all the reinfected were tested for 15 different genes of the H. pylori. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven patients were followed: 19 for 1 year, eight for 2 years, four for 3 years, five for 4 years, and 98 for 5 years, totaling 557 patients/years. Recurrence did not occur in the first year. In the second year, two patients were reinfected; in the third, four patients; in the fourth, three patients; and in the fifth, one patient. The total of reinfected patients was 10. The annual reinfection rate was 1.8%. CONCLUSION: Brazil presents a low prevalence of H. pylori reinfection, similar to the developed countries.

TRANSCUTANEOUS MULTICHANNEL ELECTROGASTROGRAPHY: NORMAL PARAMETERS IN A BRAZILIAN POPULATION.

BACKGROUND: Electrogastrography (EGG) is a noninvasive technique for the assessment of gastric myoelectrical activity using electrodes placed on the abdominal surface. Changes in gastric myoelectrical activity may be associated with diseases such as gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, nausea, and recurrent vomiting. In Brazil, no studies to date have assessed gastric myoelectrical activity using multichannel EGG in healthy individuals. OBJECTIVE: To establish normal values of transcutaneous multichannel EGG in healthy Brazilian individuals. METHODS: This was a prospective study including 20 healthy individuals who underwent EGG. Recording was performed during two periods: a preprandial recording was performed for 30 minutes, and a postprandial recording was performed for 30 minutes after a soft-solid meal of 400 kcal (20 grams of proteins, 60 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of fat). RESULTS: We assessed dominant frequency (DF) parameters, %DF distribution, the instability coefficient, and the power ratio (PR). A total of 20 individuals (11 women and 9 men) with a mean age of 39.5±7.4 years were included. Mean DF (95%CI) ranged from 2.4 to 3.1 cpm in the resting phase and 2.6 to 3.2 cpm in the postprandial period. The %DF in normogastria range was >70% in all healthy individuals. We identified that only one individual did not present a positive response to the test meal, and the other 19 individuals showed a PR greater than 1. The instability coefficient did not change significantly with meal intake. CONCLUSION: Multichannel EGG may be applied in future studies to evaluate gastric motility disorders in the Brazilian population.

GUT MICROBIOTA, PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS, AND SYNBIOTICS IN GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER DISEASES: PROCEEDINGS OF A JOINT MEETING OF THE BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF HEPATOLOGY (SBH), BRAZILIAN NUCLEUS FOR THE STUDY OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI AND MICROBIOTA (NBEHPM), AND BRAZILIAN FEDERATION OF GASTROENTEROLOGY (FBG).

Over the last years, there is growing evidence that microorganisms are involved in the maintenance of our health and are related to various diseases, both intestinal and extraintestinal. Changes in the gut microbiota appears to be a key element in the pathogenesis of hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and Clostridium difficile - associated diarrhea. In 2019, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) in cooperation with the Brazilian Nucleus for the Study of Helicobacter Pylori and Microbiota (NBEHPM), and Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology (FBG) sponsored a joint meeting on gut microbiota and the use of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. This paper summarizes the proceedings of the aforementioned meeting. It is intended to provide practical information about this topic, addressing the latest discoveries and indicating areas for future studies.

Comparison of the degree of duodenogastroesophageal reflux and acid reflux between patients who failed to respond and those who were successfully treated with a proton pump inhibitor once daily.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the degree of esophageal acid exposure and duodenogastroesophageal reflux (DGER) during treatment between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients who responded fully to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) once a day and those who failed to respond. METHODS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease patients who continued to report symptoms 3 times a week for 3 months while on PPI once a day were assigned to the PPI failure group. GERD patients who were asymptomatic on PPI once a day for 3 months were assigned to the PPI success group. All patients underwent upper endoscopy to assess esophageal mucosal injury. Subsequently, all patients underwent simultaneous 24-h esophageal Bilitec 2000 and pH testing while on treatment. Patients recorded GERD-related symptoms during the test. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were enrolled in the PPI failure group and 23 patients were enrolled in the PPI success group. Endoscopy was normal in 63% of PPI failure patients and 76% of PPI success patients. Abnormal DGER was documented in 82% of PPI success patients vs. 67% of PPI failure patients (P=NS). All pH testing and Bilitec parameters in the PPI failure group were similar to those in the PPI success group (P=NS). Of the 34 GERD symptoms recorded by the PPI failure group, 64% were associated with acid reflux and 41% were associated with DGER (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference in the degree of DGER and acid exposure during treatment between patients who failed to respond and those who achieved complete symptom resolution on PPI once daily. GERD symptoms in the PPI failure group are more commonly associated with acid reflux than with DGER.

Comparison of the different characteristics of sensed reflux events among different heartburn groups.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Presently, there are no studies comparing sensed acid reflux event (SARE) characteristics among different heartburn groups. Our aim was to compare the different esophageal acid reflux characteristics of an SARE among the different heartburn groups. METHODS: Patients with heartburn underwent endoscopy and pH testing and were stratified into 3 groups: erosive esophagitis (EE), nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), and functional heartburn (FH). Patients underwent esophageal pH testing using a 4-sensor pH probe, with the most distal pH sensor positioned 1 cm> lower esophageal sphincter (LES). RESULTS: Twenty-two patients had EE, 15 NERD, and 13 FH (M/F: 20/2, 12/3, 5/8, mean age: 51.5+/-3.7, 50.1+/-4.2, 50.3+/-3.8, respectively). The percentage of SAREs at 1 cm>LES that had reached 16 cm>LES was significantly higher in the FH group compared with NERD and EE (P<0.05). EE demonstrated the lowest nadir during an SARE and NERD the most acid reflux events before an SARE (up to 4 h). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with FH demonstrated the most SAREs that reached the proximal esophagus. EE patients demonstrated the lowest nadir pH during an SARE and NERD patients the most acid reflux events before an SARE, as compared with the other heartburn groups.

[The effect of alternative therapies on symptoms of patients with functional chest pain--pilot study with Johrei healing technique]. / Rola niekonwencjonalnych metod w leczeniu bólu czynnosciowego w klatce piersiowej--doswiadczenia wlasne z wykorzystaniem energii Johrei.

AIM OF THE STUDY: was to determine the efficacy of Johrei as compared to wait-list in improving symptoms of FCP patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with chest pain of noncardiac origin for at least 3 months were enrolled into the study. All patients had to have negative upper endoscopy, pH testing and oesophageal manometry prior to randomization. Subsequently, patients were randomized to either Johrei or wait-list control. Patients received 18 Johrei sessions from a Johrei practitioner for 6 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 21 FCP patients enrolled into the Johrei group and 18 into the wait-list group. There was no difference in symptom intensity score between Johrei group and wait-list group at baseline (20.28 vs. 23.06, P = N.S.). However, there was a significant pre- and post-treatment reduction in symptom intensity in the Johrei group (20.28 vs. 7.0, P = 0.0023). There was no significant reduction in symptom intensity score between baseline and at the end of the study in the wait-list group (23.06 vs. 20.69, P = N.S.). CONCLUSION: This pilot study shows that Johrei may have a role in improving FCP symptoms; however, future studies are needed to compare Johrei treatment with sham Johrei or supportive care.

Lactulose Breath Testing Can Be a Positive Predictor Before Weight Gain in Participants with Obesity Submitted to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is defined as the colonization of fermentative bacteria in the duodenum and jejunum. The alteration of digestive anatomy promoted by bariatric surgery may be a pre-disposing factor for SIBO. In this context, the prevalence of SIBO in participants undergoing bariatric surgery using Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (BGYR) was evaluated. METHODS: Participants, both sexes, older than 18 years, were those who (a) had bariatric surgery by the BGYR technique at least 1 year before the data collection and (b) did not use antibiotics recently. The SIBO diagnosis was established through the hydrogen breath test (H2BT), with intake of lactulose and serial collection of breath samples over 2 h. A test with ≥ 12-point elevation over the basal sample at 60 min after substrate intake was deemed positive. RESULTS: A total of 18 participants (14 females (77.8%)) were enrolled with a mean age of 50.5 years (range, 23 to 79 years). The interval between surgery and data collection ranged from 5 to 20 years (mean, 11.2 years). The mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 44.6 kg/m2 (range, 36.7-56.2 kg/m2). The H2RT with lactulose was positive for SIBO in seven (six female) participants. The participants with negative test measured trough H2BT with lactulose had a lower mean BMI of 28.69 kg/m2, in comparison with the positive group, which presented a mean BMI of 33.04 kg/m2 (p value = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Our data point to a high prevalence of SIBO (38.8%) in patients undergoing BGYR with a value in accordance with the literature. Moreover, the differences in BMI between negative and positive groups by H2BT with lactulose evidenced a weight gain relapse in participants with SIBO.

Temporal Association Between Respiratory Events and Reflux in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that there is a temporal correlation between reflux episodes and respiratory events in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux and obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: Adults with clinically diagnosed laryngopharyngeal reflux confirmed by two validated instruments (reflux symptom index ≥ 13 and reflux finding score ≥ 7) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) underwent full polysomnography with concomitant and synchronized multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH esophageal monitoring. The apnea-hypopnea and arousal indexes that occurred 15, 30, and 45 minutes before and after each reflux episode were recorded and compared to full-night apnea and hypopnea and arousal index. RESULTS: We studied 27 patients (14 males, age 51.7 ± 9.1 years, body mass index 32.4 ± 4.2 kg/m²) with laryngopharyngeal reflux (reflux symptom index 16 ± 2 and reflux finding score 12 ± 3) and OSA (apnea-hypopnea index = 32.3 ± 28.4 events/h). We evaluated 102 reflux episodes. Almost half of the reflux episodes occurred while awake (43.1%) and only five reflux episodes (4.9%) occurred during an obstructive respiratory event. The apnea and hypopnea and arousal indexes 15, 30, and 45 minutes before and after reflux episodes were lower than full-night apnea and hypopnea and arousal indexes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with well-established laryngopharyngeal reflux and OSA, there is no temporal association between reflux and obstructive respiratory events. Even though the data comprised a small sample size, it seems that a more complex mechanism is involved with these two highly prevalent diseases.

Short-term triple therapy with azithromycin for Helicobacter pylori eradication: low cost, high compliance, but low efficacy.

BACKGROUND: The Brazilian consensus recommends a short-term treatment course with clarithromycin, amoxicillin and proton-pump inhibitor for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). This treatment course has good efficacy, but cannot be afforded by a large part of the population. Azithromycin, amoxicillin and omeprazole are subsidized, for several aims, by the Brazilian federal government. Therefore, a short-term treatment course that uses these drugs is a low-cost one, but its efficacy regarding the bacterium eradication is yet to be demonstrated. The study's purpose was to verify the efficacy of H. pylori eradication in infected patients who presented peptic ulcer disease, using the association of azithromycin, amoxicillin and omeprazole. METHODS: Sixty patients with peptic ulcer diagnosed by upper digestive endoscopy and H. pylori infection documented by rapid urease test, histological analysis and urea breath test were treated for six days with a combination of azithromycin 500 mg and omeprazole 20 mg, in a single daily dose, associated with amoxicillin 500 mg 3 times a day. The eradication control was carried out 12 weeks after the treatment by means of the same diagnostic tests. The eradication rates were calculated with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The eradication rate was 38% per intention to treat and 41% per protocol. Few adverse effects were observed and treatment compliance was high. CONCLUSION: Despite its low cost and high compliance, the low eradication rate does not allow the recommendation of the triple therapy with azithromycin as an adequate treatment for H. pylori infection.

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.

Avaliação da microbiota intestinal em adultos com esofagite erosiva / Assessment of the intestinal microbiota in adults with erosive esophagitis

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The intestinal microbiota influences the appropriate function of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal dysbiosis may be associated with a higher risk of esophageal lesions, mainly due to changes in gastroesophageal motility patterns, elevation of intra-abdominal pressure, and increased frequency of transient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal microbiota in individuals with erosive esophagitis and in healthy individuals using metagenomics. METHODS: A total of 22 fecal samples from adults aged between 18 and 60 years were included. Eleven individuals had esophagitis (eight men and three women) and 11 were healthy controls (10 men and one woman). The individuals were instructed to collect and store fecal material into a tube containing guanidine solution. The DNA of the microbiota was extracted from each fecal samples and PCR amplification was performed using primers for the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The amplicons were sequenced using the Ion Torrent PGM platform and the data were analyzed using the QIIME™ software version 1.8. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test and the ANOSIM non-parametric method based on distance matrix. RESULTS: The alpha-diversity and beta-diversity indices were similar between the two groups, without statistically significant differences. There was no statistically significant difference in the phylum level. However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the abundance of the family Clostridiaceae (0.3% vs 2.0%, P=0.032) and in the genus Faecaliumbacterium (10.5% vs 4.5%, P=0.045) between healthy controls and esophagitis patients. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that reduced abundance of the genus Faecaliumbacterium and greater abundance of the family Clostridiaceae may be risk factors for the development of erosive esophagitis. Intervention in the composition of the intestinal microbiota should be considered as an adjunct to current therapeutic strategies for this clinical condition.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE) é uma das enfermidades mais comuns na prática clínica e possui fisiopatologia multifatorial. Disbiose da microbiota intestinal pode ter influência em mecanismos envolvidos nesta doença, como mudanças nos padrões motores gastrointestinais, elevação da pressão intra-abdominal e aumento da frequência de relaxamentos transitórios do esfíncter esofágico inferior. Contudo, a avaliação da microbiota intestinal, neste contexto, ainda é pouco documentada. OBJETIVO: Este estudo avaliou a microbiota bacteriana intestinal, em indivíduos com doença do refluxo gastroesofágico erosivo e em indivíduos saudáveis, utilizando técnicas de metagenômica. MÉTODOS: Estudo incluiu amostras fecais de 22 adultos, com idades entre 18 e 60 anos: 11 com esofagite erosiva (oito homens e três mulheres) e 11 controles saudáveis (dez homens e uma mulher). Os pacientes foram orientados a coletar e armazenar o material fecal em tubo contendo solução de guanidina. O DNA da microbiota foi extraído das amostras de fezes e amplificação por PCR foi realizada usando iniciadores para a região V4 do gene 16S rRNA. Os amplicons foram seqüenciados usando a plataforma Ion PGM Torrent e os dados foram analisados usando o software QIIME™ versão 1.8 (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology). Análise de estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney e o teste ANOSIM, método não paramétrico baseado em matriz de distância. RESULTADOS: Os índices de alfa-diversidade e beta-diversidade foram semelhantes entre os dois grupos, sem diferença estatisticamente significante. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante no nível de filo, classe e ordem. Entretanto, observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante na abundância da família Clostridiaceae (0,3% vs 2,0%, P=0,032) e no gênero Faecaliumbacterium (10,5% vs 4,5%, P=0,045) entre controles saudáveis e pacientes com DRGE erosiva, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados sugerem que menor abundância do gênero Faecaliumbacterium e maior abundância da família Clostridiaceae, nos pacientes com DRGE, podem influenciar na fisiopatologia desta doença.

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.