Efficacy of a 7-day course of furazolidone, levofloxacin, and lansoprazole after failed Helicobacter pylori eradication.

BACKGROUND: Increasing resistance to clarithromycin and nitroimidazole is the main cause of failure in the Helicobacter pylori eradication. The ideal retreatment regimen remains unclear, especially in developing countries, where the infection presents high prevalence and resistance to antibiotics. The study aimed at determining the efficacy, compliance and adverse effects of a regimen that included furazolidone, levofloxacin and lansoprazole in patients with persistent Helicobacter pylori infection, who had failed to respond to at least one prior eradication treatment regimen. METHODS: This study included 48 patients with peptic ulcer disease. Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed by a rapid urease test and histological examination of samples obtained from the antrum and corpus during endoscopy. The eradication therapy consisted of a 7-day twice daily oral administration of lansoprazole 30 mg, furazolidone 200 mg and levofloxacin 250 mg. Therapeutic success was confirmed by a negative rapid urease test, histological examination and 14C- urea breath test, performed 12 weeks after treatment completion. The Chi-square method was used for comparisons among eradication rates, previous treatments and previous furazolidone use. RESULTS: Only one of the 48 patients failed to take all medications, which was due to adverse effects (vomiting). Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates were 89% (95% CI- 89%-99%) and 88% (88-92%), respectively. Mild and moderate adverse effects were reported by 41 patients (85%). For patients with one previous treatment failure, the eradication rate was 100%. Compared to furazolidone-naïve patients, eradication rates were lower in those who had failed prior furazolidone-containing regimen(s) (74% vs. 100%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: An empiric salvage-regimen including levofloxacin, furazolidone and lansoprazole is very effective in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, particularly in patients that have failed one prior eradication therapy.

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.

Salivary transforming growth factor alpha in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and reflux laryngitis.

INTRODUCTION: Saliva plays a key role in the homeostasis of the digestive tract, through its inorganic components and its protein growth factors. Sjögren's syndrome patients have a higher prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Decreased salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels were observed in dyspeptic patients, but there have been no studies in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux. OBJECTIVE: To compare the salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux to those of healthy controls. METHODS: This is a prospective controlled study. Twelve patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux and 11 controls were prospectively evaluated. Spontaneous and stimulated saliva samples were obtained to establish salivary transforming growth factor alpha concentrations. RESULTS: The salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels of patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. Five patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux also had erosive esophagitis; their salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels were comparable to controls. CONCLUSION: Salivary transforming growth factor alpha level was significantly higher in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux when compared to the control group.

Salivary transforming growth factor alpha in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and reflux laryngitis / Estudo da concentração salivar do fator transformador de crescimento alfa em indivíduos com Sindrome de Sjögren e refluxo laringofaríngeo

Introduction: Saliva plays a key role in the homeostasis of the digestive tract, through its inorganic components and its protein growth factors. Sjögren's syndrome patients have a higher prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Decreased salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels were observed in dyspeptic patients, but there have been no studies in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Objective: To compare the salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux to those of healthy controls. Methods: This is a prospective controlled study. Twelve patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux and 11 controls were prospectively evaluated. Spontaneous and stimulated saliva samples were obtained to establish salivary transforming growth factor alpha concentrations. Results: The salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels of patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. Five patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux also had erosive esophagitis; their salivary transforming growth factor alpha levels were comparable to controls. Conclusion: Salivary transforming growth factor alpha level was significantly higher in patients with Sjögren's syndrome and laryngopharyngeal reflux when compared to the control group. .

Introdução: A saliva exerce influência primordial na homeostase do sistema digestório, pelos seus componentes inorgânicos e pelos fatores de crescimento. Indivíduos com sindrome de Sjögren (SS) apresentam maior incidência da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE) e do refluxo laringofaríngeo (RLF). Concentrações salivares diminuídas do fator transformador de crescimento alfa (TGF-α) foram observadas em doentes dispépticos, porém não há estudos em populações com SS e RLF. Objetivo: Comparar concentrações salivares do TGF-α; de indivíduos com SS e RLF a de controles saudáveis. Método: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo controlado. Doze pacientes com SS e RLF e 11 indivíduos controles saudáveis tiveram amostras salivares espontâneas e estimuladas coletadas para estabelecer concentração de TGF-α. Resultados: A concentração salivar de TGF-α; foi estatisticamente maior no grupo estudo para ambas amostras. Este aumento foi confirmado nos sete indivíduos do grupo estudo que não apresentavam esofagite erosiva quando comparados ao grupo controle, porém não houve diferença estatística da concentração de TGF-α; entre pacientes do grupo estudo que apresentava mesofagite erosiva em comparação ao grupo controle. Conclusão: A concentração salivar de TGF-α; foi estatisticamente maior no grupo de indivíduos com SS e RLF, sem esofagite erosiva. .

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

OBJETIVO: Muitos dos esquemas atualmente usados na erradicação do Helicobacter pylori não conseguem curar a infecção, pela resistência bacteriana ou pela baixa adesão do paciente. Esta condição manterá os riscos de desenvolvimento das potenciais complicações graves da infecção. Este estudo procurou determinar a eficácia e segurança de um esquema quádruplo que associou a furazolidona para o retratamento da infecção pelo H. pylori. MÉTODOS: Pacientes que não alcançaram erradicação em um ou mais tratamentos foram submetidos à endoscopia digestiva alta e dois fragmentos do antro e do corpo foram retirados para exame histológico e de urease. Receberam então 20mg de omeprazol, 240mg de sub-citrato de bismuto, 500mg de tetraciclina e 200mg de furazolidona duas vezes ao dia por 7 dias. O sucesso terapêutico foi determinado pela negativação de nova biópsia endoscópica, após 8 semanas do tratamento. RESULTADOS: Sessenta e dois pacientes foram incluídos, cinqüenta e oito completaram o estudo. Por protocolo, 67% (39/58) dos pacientes conseguiram a erradicação da bactéria. Efeitos adversos leves foram relatados. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento de curto prazo, em esquema quádruplo com a furazolidona , é bem tolerado, barato e eficaz no re-tratamento do H. pylori. Uma boa opção de re-tratamento para países em desenvolvimento.

Constipaçäo intestinal funcional / Functional intestinal constipation

The intestinal constipation is not a disease but a clinical manifestation and one of the most frequent gastrointestinal problem. It is a functional disorder very frequent particulary amongst womwn. The etiology cam be a metabolic disturbance, an organic disturbance, a problem with the colon innervation or can be related with the drugs use. The treatment is composed by behavioural measures and a therapeutic approach. The former may be divided in substances that increase the fecal bolus, lubricants, osmotic agents and laxatives. The treatment should be individualized in a case per case basis (au)