Systematic review with meta-analysis: diagnostic performance of the combination of pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies serum assays for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis.

BACKGROUND: The combination of pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and anti-H. pylori antibodies serological assays (panel test) is a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. However, the diagnostic reliability of this test is still uncertain. AIM: To assess the diagnostic performance of the serum panel test for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. METHODS: Medline via PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library databases and abstracts of international conferences proceedings were searched from January 1995 to December 2016 using the primary keywords "pepsinogens," "gastrin," "atrophic gastritis," "gastric precancerous lesions." Studies were included if they assessed the accuracy of the serum panel test for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis using histology according to the updated Sydney System as reference standard. RESULTS: Twenty studies with a total of 4241 subjects assessed the performance of serum panel test for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis regardless of the site in the stomach. The summary sensitivity was 74.7% (95% confidence interval (CI), 62.0-84.3) and the specificity was 95.6% (95%CI, 92.6-97.4). With a prevalence of atrophic gastritis of 27% (median prevalence across the studies), the negative predictive value was 91%. Few studies with small sample size assessed the performance of the test in detecting the site of atrophic gastritis. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and anti-H. pylori antibodies serological assays appears to be a reliable tool for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. This test may be used for screening subjects or populations at high risk of gastric cancer for atrophic gastritis; however, a cost-effectiveness analysis is needed.

Low-dose lansoprazole and clarithromycin plus metronidazole vs. full-dose lansoprazole and clarithromycin plus amoxicillin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection.

AIM: To compare, in a randomized controlled trial, the efficacy and tolerability of two 1-week triple therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four consecutive patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and H. pylori infection were randomized to receive lansoprazole 30 mg once daily, clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily, and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily (LCM group), or lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily, clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, and amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily (LCA group). H. pylori status was assessed by rapid urease test, histology and 13C-urea breath test before and after therapy. RESULTS: At 3 months, H. pylori eradication (intention- to-treat/per protocol analysis) was 92.4%/93.8% in the LCM group and 83.1%/85.7% in the LCA group (P=N.S.). Side-effects were more frequently reported in the LCA group (37.9%) than in the LCM group (19.7%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this open, randomized controlled trial, eradication of H. pylori by low-dose lansoprazole and clarithromycin plus metronidazole was higher with significantly less side-effects than by full-dose lansoprazole and clarithromycin plus amoxicillin. This finding may be related to the stronger synergism of clarithromycin plus metronidazole, even at lower doses, than of clarithromycin plus amoxicillin. Considering the lower cost as well, LCM should be preferred to LCA in the eradication of H. pylori.

Laboratory systems evolve to meet data demands.

As provider organizations consolidate and confront managed care pressures, they're looking for laboratory information systems that go beyond the basics. They want lab systems that can integrate with other computer systems, make data available at the point of care, and exchange information over the Internet or intranets. Systems integration efforts, however, are proving troublesome for some CIOs.

Innovators 1998. Going with what works.

At Scott & White Hospital and Clinic, physicians still dictate their clinical information for transcription. But Internet technologies enable easy access to electronic records.

Justifying where the dollars go.

Cost-conscious health care organizations are demanding that their investments in information technology generate a measurable return. For some applications, predicting a quick payoff is relatively easy. But for complex clinical systems, proving a tangible return can be difficult.

Intranets: the latest trend in the development of broad health networks.

Frustrated by high costs, many organizers of community health information networks are tuning to low-cost, easy-to-implement Internet technologies and protocols. Of the 22 broad network initiatives still under way, about half are either planning to build intranets or incorporating Internet technologies on some form.

Enterprise network. Anticipating explosive growth.

Columbia/HCA designed its information network around a central mainframe linked to regional data centers. That approach has been a key in handling rapid expansion.

Disease management.

Disease management efforts are becoming an important competitive strategy for providers and managed care plans alike. More than ever, purchasers of care want value from their health care dollars, and integrated delivery systems want to better coordinate care. Information technology will be crucial in implementing disease management programs.

Health Data Management top 10 special report.

The top 10 health care information technology companies control only about 30% of the software market. Because these leading companies do not yet dominate the market, observers predict vendors will continue to consolidate. In this in-depth special report, Health Data Management profiles the 10 leading companies, ranked on their 1996 revenues. Each corporate profile offers insights from top company executives about their strategies, as well as comments from stock analysts.

Restoring the image of networks.

The struggles of some high-profile CHIN initiatives have damaged the reputation of community networks. But proponents believe that integrated delivery systems and the Internet will aid their cause in the long run.