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.

[Prevalence and characteristics of anemia and iron deficiency in patients hospitalized for gastrointestinal diseases in Spain]. / Prevalencia y características de la anemia y ferropenia en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedades digestivas en España.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of anemia and iron deficiency in patients hospitalized for gastrointestinal diseases. METHODS: An epidemiological, multicenter, mixed design study (retrospective review of randomized clinical records and prospective visits) conducted between February 2010 and March 2011 in 22 Spanish gastroenterology departments. Severe anemia was defined as Hb < 10g/dL, mild/moderate as Hb ≥ 10g/dL, and iron deficiency as ferritin < 30ng/ml or transferrin saturation < 16%. RESULTS: We included 379 patients. The mean±SD age was 57±19 years and 47% were men. The prevalence of anemia at admission was 60% (95% CI 55 to 65), and anemia was severe (Hb <10g/dl) in half the patients. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 54% of evaluable patients (95% CI 47 to 61). Gastrointestinal bleeding at admission was found in 39% of the patients, of whom 83% (121/146) were anemic. At discharge, the proportion of anemic patients was unchanged (from 60% at admission to 58% at discharge) (95% CI 53 to 63) and iron deficiency was found in 41% (95% CI 32 to 50): anemia was severe in 17% and mild/moderate in 41%. During follow-up, at 3-6 months after admission, 44% (95% CI 39 to 50) of evaluable patients continued to have iron deficiency and 28% (95% CI 23 to 32) were still anemic: 5% severe and 23% mild/moderate. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 44% (95% CI: 39-50). During admission, 50% of patients with anemia did not receive treatment. At discharge, 55% were untreated. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia in patients hospitalized for gastroenterological diseases was very high. Anemia persisted in over a quarter of patients at the follow-up visit. Only half of hospitalized patients received treatment for anemia, even when the anemia was severe.

[Current management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Spain]. / Situación actual del manejo de la hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa en España.

BACKGROUND: Mortality related to nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) has not changed. More information is needed to improve the management of this entity. The aims of this study were: a) to determine the characteristics of bleeding episodes, b) to describe the clinical approaches routinely used in NVUGIB, and c) to identify adverse outcomes related to endoscopic or medical treatments in Spain. METHODS: The European survey of nonvariceal upper GI bleeding (ENERGiB) was an observational, retrospective cohort study on NVUGIB with endoscopic evaluation carried out across Europe. The present study focused on Spanish patients in the ENERGiB study. The patients were managed according to routine care. The mean and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative variables and absolute and relative frequencies were calculated for categorical variables. RESULTS: Patients (n=403) were mostly men (71%), with a mean age of 65 years, and co-morbidities (62.5%). Most of the patients were managed by gastroenterologists (57.1%) or internal medicine teams (25.1%). A proton pump inhibitor was used empirically in 80% before endoscopy. Bleeding persistence occurred in 6.4% and recurrence in 6.7%. The mortality rate at 30 days was 3.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the characterization of Spanish patients and NVUGIB episodes in a real clinical setting and identifies the routine management of this entity, which is in line with the standards proposed by recent clinical practice guidelines. A notable finding was that age and the number of comorbidities in NVUGIB patients were increasing. These factors could explain the persistent mortality rate, despite the evident advances in the management of this entity.

[Esophageal perforation following a biopsy in a patient with eosinophilic esophagitis]. / Perforación esofágica tras biopsia en paciente con esofagitis eosinofílica.

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an underdiagnosed disease that should be suspected in all patients with dysphagia and food impaction. Although these are the leading symptoms, the clinical and endoscopic spectrum is highly varied. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of endoscopy-related complications in this disorder. Precautions should be maximized in endoscopic examinations to avoid iatrogenic damage. We describe the case of a young patient with esophageal stricture and dysphagia who suffered a perforation following a biopsy.

[Bleeding from gastric varices as the initial manifestation of primary pancreatic lymphoma]. / Hemorragia por varices gástricas como manifestación inicial de linfoma pancreático primario.

In patients with pancreatic cancer, the most frequent symptoms are abdominal pain, weight loss and jaundice. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding produced by gastric varices is a rare entity in these patients and requires the presence of splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) to be excluded. We describe the case of a young man who presented to the emergency department with hematemesis. Diagnostic tests revealed primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL), which provoked splenic vein thrombosis, collateral circulation and the formation of isolated bleeding gastric varices. To date, we have found no reports in the literature of PPL with this form of presentation. Finally, we review the literature, with emphasis on the importance of excluding splenic vein thrombosis in patients with isolated gastric varices, and discuss certain features of the diagnosis and treatment of PPL.

[Fulminant ischemic gastropathy: the final stage of a difficult-to-diagnose disease]. / Isquemia gástrica fulminante: el estadio final de una enfermedad poco expresiva.

Ischemic gastropathy is highly infrequent in daily medical practice. In the last few years, the number of reported cases has increased. Although the guiding symptom is usually abdominal pain, the clinical spectrum of the disease is highly variable. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to change the natural history of the disease. We present the case of a 75-year-old man with chronic abdominal pain who developed a fulminant form of necrotizing gastric ischemia and died within less than 24h.

[Jugular vein perforation by a peripherally inserted central catheter]. / Perforación de vena yugular por un catéter venoso central de inserción periférica.

INTRODUCTION: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are increasingly used in patients who require intravenous access for a long time. We present a 53-year-old male patient with an advanced distal esophageal cancer who suffered a potentially serious mechanical complication after insertion of a PICC.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los catéteres venosos centrales de inserción periférica (PICC) son cada vez más utilizados en pacientes que requieren un acceso intravenoso durante un tiempo prolongado. Presentamos un paciente de 53 años de edad con cáncer de esófago distal avanzado que sufrió una complicación mecánica potencialmente grave tras la inserción de un PICC.

[Usefulness of ultrathin transnasal endoscopy for the placement of nasoenteric feeding tubes]. / Utilidad de la endoscopia ultrafina transnasal en la aplicación de sondas de nutrición enteral.

BACKGROUND: Placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes can require endoscopic support. AIM: To analyze the usefulness of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy in the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed an ambispective study of all patients who underwent nasoenteral feeding (4.9 mm) in 2007. RESULTS: Twenty-six procedures were performed. The mean age of the patients was 69.3+/-13 years. Nasal anesthesia was used in 23 patients (88.4%), and midazolam in 8 (30.8%). No anesthesia was used in 4 patients (15.3%). INDICATIONS: stenotic esophageal lesions (42.3%), distal placement to the pathological alteration (46.1%), and failure of placement through the normal route (11.5%). We placed 13 (50%) nasoduodenal, 7 (29.6%) nasogastric and 6 (23.1%) nasojejunal tubes. The success rate was 100%. The most frequently used calibre was 12 F. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of transnasal ultrathin endoscopy in the placement of nasoenteral feeding tubes in our patients was safe, effective and relatively easy.

[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients aged less than 18 years old: our experience]. / Colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica en pacientes menores de 18 años: nuestra experiencia.

BACKGROUND: There is scant information on the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients under 18. OBJECTIVE: To analyze our experience in all patients under 18 who underwent ERCP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all ERCP conducted in patients under 18 between 1993 and 2006. We analyzed indications, endoscopic and radiologic findings, diagnostic and therapeutic success, and complications. RESULTS: We included 31 patients who underwent 36 ERCP in total. The mean age was 9.89 +/- 5 years old. We used general anesthesia in 58.3% (21 patients), with a mean age of 8 +/- 5 years. The most frequent indications were complications after liver transplantation in 33.3% (12 patients), suspicion of biliary obstruction in 27.7% (10 patients), and pancreatitis in 22.2% (8 patients). We achieved cannulation and repletion in the selected duct in 94.4%. The most frequent pathologic findings were changes in the biliary tract after liver transplantation in 25% (9 patients). The results of ERCP were normal in 10 patients (27.7%). Therapeutic maneuvers were indicated in 17 out of the 34 (50%) examinations considered, achieving therapeutic success in 76.47% (13/17). Complications consisted of hemorrhage after simple sphincterotomy in one patient (2.8%) and mild pancreatitis in two patients (5.6%). CONCLUSIONS: We found ERCP to be a safe procedure with a high diagnostic and therapeutic success rate, and a low rate of early complications.

[An atypical case of massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage]. / Caso atípico de hemorragia digestiva masiva.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are an infrequent cause (<1%) of severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Treatment is mainly surgical through complete tumoral resection. We report the case of a 29-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room with severe gastrointestinal bleeding manifested by melena. On physical examination the patient had a painless, palpable mass in the left abdomen. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, computed tomography, angiography and urgent surgical intervention led to diagnosis of a jejunal GIST.

Isolated oesophageal involvement of Crohn's disease.

A 31-year-old male was admitted with complaints of dysphagia and odynophagia. An upper gastrointestinal tract series revealed inflammatory changes in the mid and distal oesophagus with intramural extravasation of the barium. An upper endoscopy showed multiple ulcerations and inflammation. The patient developed a large stricture with no response to serial endoscopic dilations and a surgical resection of the oesophagus was required. Gross examination of the surgical specimen revealed transmural inflammation, deep ulcerations and non-necrotizing epithelioid cell granuloma. All these pathological findings were characteristic of Crohn's disease of the oesophagus. After 36 months of follow-up there has been no recurrence of symptoms or of other sites of involvement.

[Early evaluation of anaemia in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding: venous blood gas analysis compared to conventional laboratory]. / Valoración precoz de la anemia en el paciente con hemorragia digestiva aguda: concordancia entre gasometría venosa y laboratorio convencional.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AGB) requires early clinical evaluation and analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate early concordance of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HTC) levels determined by conventional venous blood gas analysis (VBG) and by conventional Laboratory in Emergencies (LAB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational and prospective study of patients admitted in the Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage Unit with both high and low AGB. Demographic and clinical variables and simultaneous venous blood samples were obtained to determine Hb and HTC by VBG and LAB. Concordance in both methods was analysed by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two patients were included: 87 (65.9%) males, average age 66.8 years. VBG overestimated Hb in 0.49 g/dl (95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.76) with respect to LAB. Concordance was very high in Hb (ICC 0.931) and high in HTC (0.899), with the Bland-Altman graphs showing both concordance and overestimation of Hb levels determined by VBG. In 19 patients (14.39%), Hb by VBG exceeded in more than 1g/dL the final determination obtained by LAB. CONCLUSIONS: Early determination of Hb and HTC in patients with AGB by VBG provides reliable results in the initial evaluation of anaemia. VBG systematically overestimates Hb values by less than 0.5 g/dl, and therefore clinical and hemodynamic evaluation of the bleeding patient should prevail over analytical results.

Does fecal calprotectin predict relapse in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: An evaluation is made of the utility of fecal calprotectin in predicting relapse in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The possible differences in its predictive capacity in Crohn's disease (CD) versus ulcerative colitis (UC), and the different phenotypes, are also examined. METHODS: This is a prospective study with 135 patients diagnosed with IBD in clinical remission for at least 3 months. The patients submitted a stool sample within 24 hours after the baseline visit, for the measurement of fecal calprotectin. All patients were followed-up on for one year. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients had CD and 69 UC. Thirty-nine (30%) suffered from relapse. The fecal calprotectin concentration was higher among the patients with relapse than in those that remained in remission: 444 µg/g (95% CI 34-983) versus 112 µg/g (95% CI 22-996); p<0.01. Patients with CD and calprotectin>200 µg/g relapsed 4 times more often than those with lower marker concentrations. In UC, calprotectin>120 µg/g was associated with a 6-fold increase in the probability of disease activity outbreak. The predictive value was similar in UC and CD with colon involvement and inflammatory pattern. In this group, calprotectin>120 µg/g predicted relapse risk with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 60%. Relapse predictive capacity was lower in patients with ileal disease. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal calprotectin may be a useful marker for predicting relapse in patients with IBD. Its predictive value is greater in UC and CD with colon involvement and inflammatory pattern, compared with ileal CD.