Position statement of the Latin American Dysphagia Society for the management of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease is transmitted through the inhalation of droplets or aerosols and inoculation via the oronasal or ocular routes, transforming the management of swallowing disorders into a challenge for healthcare teams, given their proximity to the aerodigestive tract and the high probability of aerosol generation during patient evaluation and treatment. AIM: To provide essential guidance for Latin American multidisciplinary teams, regarding the evaluation and treatment of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia, at the different levels of healthcare. The position statement was formulated for the purpose of maintaining medical service continuity, in the context of a pandemic, and minimizing the propagation and infection risks of the virus. METHODS: Thirteen experts in swallowing disorders were summoned by the Latin American Dysphagia Society to formulate a series of clinical suggestions, based on available evidence and clinical experience, for the management of dysphagia, taking the characteristics of Latin American healthcare systems into account. RESULTS: The position statement of the Latin American Dysphagia Society provides a series of clinical suggestions directed at the multidisciplinary teams that manage patients with oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia. It presents guidelines for evaluation and treatment in different contexts, from hospitalization to home care. CONCLUSIONS: The present statement should be analyzed by each team or healthcare professional, to reduce the risk for COVID-19 infection and achieve the best therapeutic results, while at the same time, being mindful of the reality of each Latin American country.

Approach to the patient with cholestasis and jaundice syndrome. Joint AMH, AMG, and AMEG scientific position statement.

The term cholestasis refers to bile acid retention, whether within the hepatocyte or in the bile ducts of any caliber. Biochemically, it is defined by a level of alkaline phosphatase that is 1.67-times higher than the upper limit of normal. Cholestatic diseases can be associated with an inflammatory process of the liver that destroys hepatocytes (hepatitis), withjaundice (yellowing of the skin and mucus membranes, associated with elevated serum bilirubin levels), or with both, albeit the three concepts should not be considered synonymous. Cholestatic diseases can be classified as intrahepatic or extrahepatic, depending on their etiology. Knowing the cause of the condition is important for choosing the adequate diagnostic studies and appropriate treatment in each case. A complete medical history, together with a thorough physical examination and basic initial studies, such as liver ultrasound and liver function tests, aid the clinician in deciding which path to follow, when managing the patient with cholestasis. In a joint effort, the Asociación Mexicana de Hepatología (AMH), the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología (AMG) and the Asociación Mexicana de Endoscopia Gastrointestinal (AMEG) developed the first Mexican scientific position statement on said theme.

[Position statement of the Latin American Dysphagia Society for the management of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Posicionamiento de la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Disfagia para el manejo de la disfagia orofaríngea y esofágica durante la pandemia COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 disease is transmitted through the inhalation of droplets or aerosols and inoculation via the oronasal or ocular routes, transforming the management of swallowing disorders into a challenge for healthcare teams, given their proximity to the aerodigestive tract and the high probability of aerosol generation during patient evaluation and treatment. AIM: To provide essential guidance for Latin American multidisciplinary teams, regarding the evaluation and treatment of oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia, at the different levels of healthcare. The position statement was formulated for the purpose of maintaining medical service continuity, in the context of a pandemic, and minimizing the propagation and infection risks of the virus. METHODS: Thirteen experts in swallowing disorders were summoned by the Latin American Dysphagia Society to formulate a series of clinical suggestions, based on available evidence and clinical experience, for the management of dysphagia, taking the characteristics of Latin American healthcare systems into account. RESULTS: The position statement of the Latin American Dysphagia Society provides a series of clinical suggestions directed at the multidisciplinary teams that manage patients with oropharyngeal and esophageal dysphagia. It presents guidelines for evaluation and treatment in different contexts, from hospitalization to home care. CONCLUSIONS: The present statement should be analyzed by each team or healthcare professional, to reduce the risk for COVID-19 infection and achieve the best therapeutic results, while at the same time, being mindful of the reality of each Latin American country.

[Staging gastritis with the OLGA system: prevalence of advanced stages of gastric atrophy in Mexican patients]. / Estadificación de la gastritis con el sistema OLGA; prevalencia de estadios avanzados de atrofia gástrica en pacientes mexicanos.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric adenocarcinoma of intestinal type is preceded by inflammation, which produces mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, progressing eventually to dysplasia and invasive cancer. Recently an international group, the Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) proponed a staging system for gastric biopsies. OBJECTIVE: To recognize the distribution of advanced stages of gastric mucosal atrophy in Mexican patients with dyspepsia according to the OLGA system. METHODS: We apply the OLGA system for cancer risk (Stages 0 to IV) to 322 gastric biopsies from consecutive patients with dyspepsia. Using the Sydney protocol, we recorded the presence of atrophy, dysplasia and the relationship with ulcer disease. We report the stage of atrophy for each region and the Helicobacter pylori infection status. RESULTS: We documented 72 (22.4%) cases with atrophy, 50 of them (69.4%) were metaplastic-type. Overall, nine biopsies (2.78%) were stage III (all of them with metaplastic-type atrophy) and there was not stage IV cases. We did not find high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma. In 8 of subjects with stage III, we observed low-grade dysplasia. We documented gastric ulcer in 5 patients with stage II, 60% of them with associated low-grade dysplasia. Five patients with duodenal ulcer were found in stages 0 and I. CONCLUSIONS: We found low prevalence of advanced stages of mucosal gastric atrophy among patients with dyspepsia. However we recognized 9 patients with stage III according to OLGA system worthy of follow-up because the high risk for developing gastric cancer.

[Level of satisfaction from patients who undergone an endoscopic procedure and related factors]. / Nivel de satisfacción de pacientes tras un procedimiento endoscópico y factores asociados.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is a cognitive and emotional evaluation of the patient on the performance of health staff and is based on relevant aspects of their experience in health care. AIM: To determine the satisfaction level of patients after an endoscopic procedure in the gastrointestinal endoscopy service Specialty Hospital National Medical Center La Raza and to evaluate associated factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A modified and validated questionnaire was applied to assess patient satisfaction after an endoscopic procedure (mGHAA-9) in patients who underwent a gastroscopy or colonoscopy. Factors that influenced patient satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS: Two-hundred questionnaires were applied (response rate: 89.5%), in 62 men (34.6%) and 117 women (65.4%). Mean patient age was 51.3 years. The average score for the overall group was 30.9 (maximum score of 35). In the overall assessment of satisfaction patients reported 60.9% excellent, very good 29.6%, good 8.9% and 0.6% regular. Factors that influenced patient satisfaction were: waiting time for appointment (OR 3.104), explaining and answering questions (OR 2.961) and waiting time for performing the procedure (OR 2.408) Some factors did not influence on patient satisfaction: Sex: Male 58.1%, female 62.4% (p = 0.63), age 52 vs. 50 years (p = 0.48) and sedation 64.7% vs. 60.5% (p = 0.8) CONCLUSIONS: The level of satisfaction of patients undergoing a gastroscopy or colonoscopy is good. The factors that influence the satisfaction of these patients are related to communication between doctor and patient, and waiting time for the study.

[Influence of obesity on dyspepsia symptoms]. / Influencia de la obesidad sobre los síntomas de dispepsia.

BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of dyspepsia and obesity in Mexican population. A relationship between obesity and dyspeptic symptoms has been proposed. OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with normal weight, overweight and obesity. METHODS: Prospective study on consecutive patients who attend for medical assistance for any reason in a first level medical center. Weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. A validated questionnaire for dyspepsia was applied. RESULTS: Three-hundred and twenty patients were included (61.6% women, n = 197). The mean patient age was 37 ± 14.4 years old. Mean BMI was 26.68 with 42.2% of patients (n = 135) overweight, 35.6% (n = 114) with normal weight and 22.2% (n = 71) were obese. Compared to patients with normal weight and overweight the obesity group showed a higher prevalence of gastritis symptoms, pain, stomachache, heartburn, a worst quality of life, and a higher frequency of medication intake. Patients with overweight presented a higher score in quality of life and treatment compared with normal weight patients. CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients showed a higher prevalence of dyspeptic symptoms compared to normal weight and overweight patients.

[Indicators of quality evaluation registry for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a tertiary referral Hospital in Mexico City.]. / Registro de indicadores de calidad de la esófagogastroduodenoscopia en el Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional La Raza del IMSS.

BACKGROUND: There is a need to evaluate the process of quality improvement in health care services. AIMS: To determine quality indicators, frequencies into the registry of upper gastrointestinal endoscopies in a tertiary academic hospital in Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational and transversal study was performed in the Specialty Hospital Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret IMSS between July 2007 and June 2008. Registry of several quality indicators for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was sought. RESULTS: A total of 485 endoscopic reports were included. The reason for upper endoscopy was as follows: Barrett's esophagus 161, esophageal dilation 133, gastric ulcer 82, peptic ulcer 120, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding 130. The indicators evaluated were: Informed consent 91.3%, complete examination 97.7%, Barrett's esophagus measured and biopsy specimens taken 85.7% y 96.2% respectively. Biopsy specimens were taken in gastric ulcer 87.8%. Description and localization of upper gastrointestinal lesion 99.2%, ulcer haemostatic treatment 98.2%, and haemostasis documented 94.6%, proton pump inhibitors were recommended to patients undergone esophageal dilation and peptic ulcer 80.3% y 29.2% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Registry frequencies of quality indicators were high for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, completeness of examination and Barrett's oesophagus. Pharmacological treatment recommendation in peptic disease is an area that has to be improved. It was not possible to establish either the indicator or only its register was omitted. Key words: Quality indicators, endoscopy, registries, gastroscopy, consent forms, Mexico.