Epidemiological and prognostic factors involved in upper gastrointestinal bleeding: results of a French prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The mortality rate from upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) remains high, at 5 % - 10 %. The aim of the current study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics, prognostic factors, and actual practice in a cohort of patients with UGIB admitted to French general hospitals. METHODS: From March 2005 to February 2006, a prospective multicenter study was conducted at 53 French hospitals. A total of 3298 patients admitted for UGIB were enrolled consecutively. Patient data were collected up to the date of discharge from hospital. RESULTS: Data were available for 2130 men and 1073 women (mean age 63 ± 18 years), one-third of whom were taking drugs that would increase the risk of UGIB. The two main causes of bleeding were peptic ulcers (38 %) and esophagogastric varices (EGV) or portal hypertensive gastropathy (24.5 %). Mean Rockall score was 5.0 ± 2.3. Endoscopy was performed on 96 % of patients (within 24 hours in 79 %), and 66 % of those with ulcers and 62.5 % of the EGV patients underwent hemostatic therapy when indicated. Rebleeding occurred in 9.9 % of the patients, and 8.3 % died. Independent predictors of rebleeding were: need for transfusion (odds ratio [OR] 19.1; 95 % confidence interval [95 %CI] 10.1 - 35.9); hemoglobin < 10 g/dL (OR: 1.7; 95 %CI 1.1 - 3.3); Rockall score (OR: 1.4 for each 1 point score increase; 95 %CI 1.0 - 1.9), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (OR: 1.9; 95 %CI 1.4 - 2.5), and signs of recent bleeding (OR: 2.4; 95 %CI 1.7 - 3.5). Independent predictors of mortality were: Rockall score (OR: 2.8; 95 %CI 2.0 - 4.0), co-morbidities (OR: 3.6 for each additional co-morbidity; 95 %CI 2.0 - 6.3), and systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (OR: 2.1; 95 %CI 1.8 - 2.8). Rockall score, blood pressure and co-morbidities were taken as continuous variables meaning that the OR was 1.4 for every point increase, it was the same for blood pressure. CONCLUSION: UGIB still occurs mainly as a result of peptic ulcers and portal hypertension in France, and causes significant rates of mortality. There is scope for improvement via better prevention (better use of UGIB-facilitating drugs), endoscopic therapy, and management of co-morbidities.

Non-organ-specific autoantibodies in chronic hepatitis C patients: association with histological activity and fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Non-organ-specific autoantibodies (NOSAs) are frequently found in the sera of patients with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. However, no conclusive answers have been produced concerning the clinical relevance of these antibodies. AIM: To determine whether a relationship might exist between the presence of NOSA and the severity of liver disease in chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: 186 treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis C patients were studied consecutively for autoantibodies. Liver biopsies were analyzed according to the Metavir score. RESULTS: NOSAs were present in 75 patients (40%). Anti-nuclear antibodies were found in 32% of patients (speckled pattern), anti-smooth muscle in 15% without F-actin specificity, anti-mitochondria in 0.5%, and anti-LKM1 in 0.5%, respectively. No liver-cytosol1 or soluble liver antigen antibodies were detected. There was a highly significant correlation between the positivity of NOSA and the degree of inflammation and hepatocellular injury (p = 0.001) and also with the degree of fibrosis (p < 0.0001). The presence of NOSA was associated with higher aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase, gamma-globulin and immunoglobulin G levels. By contrast, no differences were observed regarding age, gender, route of infection, duration of disease, HCV genotypes or viral load. CONCLUSION: NOSAs were associated with the most severe forms of chronic HCV infections.

[Alternative treatments in irritable bowel syndrome]. / Les traitements alternatifs dans le syndrome de l'intestin irritable.

Managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is difficult and often a source of dissatisfaction for the patient, explaining the increasingly frequent recourse to alternative treatments. These highly varied treatments are often associated. They can be classed into four categories: reflexology methods, interventions on the psyche, biological therapies, and treatments using certain forms of energy. Although some studies show interesting results, currently there are not sufficient scientific arguments to recommend one or another of these alternative treatments. Multicenter controlled studies are needed to better evaluate the strategies that appear to be cost-effective.

Protein-losing gastropathy associated with cytomegalovirus in two sisters - Case reports and review of the literature.

Ménétrier's disease is a protein-losing gastropathy that is uncommon in childhood. Its symptoms are unspecific, with abdominal pain, vomiting, and edema. Blood tests show hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia, and upper digestive endoscopy reveals giant gastric folds. In children, cytomegalovirus has been identified as a possible cause. Here we describe two sisters presenting with Ménétrier's disease, 2 years apart. This diagnosis should be considered in the presence of hypoalbuminemia in children when a nephrotic syndrome is excluded.

The 3' portion of the mouse H19 Imprinting-Control Region is required for proper tissue-specific expression of the Igf2 gene.

Genomic imprinting at the H19/Igf2 locus is governed by a cis-acting Imprinting-Control Region (ICR), located 2 kb upstream of the H19 gene. This region possesses an insulator function which is activated on the unmethylated maternal allele through the binding of the CTCF factor. It has been previously reported that paternal transmission of the H19(SilK) deletion, which removes the 3' portion of H19 ICR, leads to the loss of H19 imprinting. Here we show that, in the liver, this reactivation of the paternal H19 gene is concomitant to a dramatic decrease in Igf2 mRNA levels. This deletion alters higher-order chromatin architecture, Igf2 promoter usage and tissue-specific expression. Therefore, when methylated, the 3' portion of the H19 ICR is a bi-functional regulatory element involved not only in H19 imprinting but also in 'formatting' the higher-order chromatin structure for proper tissue-specific expression of both H19 and Igf2 genes.

[Porto-hepatic thrombosis, revealing paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, followed by regression induced by heparin therapy]. / Double thrombose porte et hépatique révélatrice d'une hémoglobinurie paroxystique nocturne et régressive sous héparinothérapie.

Budd-Chiari syndrome with or without portal thrombosis occurring during paroxysmal noctural hemoglobinuria is a complication with poor prognosis. We report the case of a 17-year-old woman with a double portal and hepatic venous thrombosis revealing a paroxysmal noctural hemoglobinuria and regressive with heparin. Our case suggests that the early diagnosis of the thrombosis with ultrasonography and Doppler, and rapidly initiated anticoagulant treatment may improve the prognosis of this disease.

[Treatment of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis without neither hyponatremia nor renal insufficiency. Results of a randomized study comparing diuretics and punctures compensated by albumin]. / Traitement de l'ascite chez les malades atteints de cirrhose sans hyponatrémie ni insuffisance rénale. Résultats d'une étude randomisée comparant les diurétiques et les ponctions compensées par l'albumine.

Previous studies have suggested that treatment of ascites in cirrhotic patients by repeated paracenteses and albumin infusion is fast, effective and safe. In one of these studies including patients with hyponatremia or renal impairment, this treatment was associated with a reduction of duration of hospital stay in comparison with large dose diuretics. The aim of this randomized study was to compare paracentesis with albumin perfusion and low dose diuretics in cirrhotic patients with ascites, but without hyponatremia or renal impairment. Twenty-six patients (group 1) were treated with paracentesis (4 L/day) and 27 patients (group 2) were treated with spironolactone (225 to 300 mg/day), associated with furosemide (40 to 80 mg/day), when inefficient alone. Ascites and peripheric edema disappeared more rapidly in group 1 than in group 2, 8.6 +/- 9.6 vs 13.5 +/- 6.7 days (P = 0.001) and 4.1 +/- 2.6 vs 10.5 +/- 6.5 days (P = 0.001) respectively. During hospitalisation, the incidence of complications was higher in group 2 than in group 1: 56 vs 26% (P = 0.03). Hyponatremia occurred in 30% of patients in group 2 and 4% of patients in group 1 (P = 0.04). The duration of hospital stay was shorter in group 1 (15.0 +/- 10.4 days) than in group 2 (21.0 +/- 11.7 days) (P = 0.007). During follow-up, ascites reappeared in 32% of patients in group 1 and 57% of patients in group 2 (P = 0.09). At 3 months, one patient in group 1 and 2 patients in group 2 developed spontaneous peritonitis whereas survival was similar in both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Psoas abscess exteriorized in the groin revealed late after acute pancreatitis]. / Abcès du psoas extériorisé au creux inguinal se révélant tardivement après une pancréatite aiguë.

Two cases of psoas abscess complicating acute necrotizing pancreatitis are reported. These cases were particular because the abscesses exteriorized in the groin and symptoms were misleading. The abscesses were detected late, three and five months after the beginning of the pancreatitis respectively. The difficulties in diagnosis and the long delay to diagnosis are emphasized as possible sources of superinfection.

[Herpetic esophagitis in human immunodeficiency virus non infected patients]. / Oesophagite herpétique chez le sujet non infecté par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine.

We report five cases of herpetic esophagitis in human immunodeficiency virus non-infected patients. Herpetic esophagitis is a frequent infection in immunocompromised patients. However, sixty four cases of herpetic esophagitis have been reported in immunocompetent patients. The infection presents non-specific esophageal symptoms. Diagnosis relies on esophageal histology and viral cultures. Treatment by acyclovir is recommended to prevent severe complications. This infection is probably underestimated in immunocompetent hosts but seems to be more frequent in patients with severe illness that can be responsible for transitory immunodeficiency. Biopsies of esophageal lesions should be systematically performed in these patients.

[Extracorporeal lithotripsy in the treatment of common bile duct calculi]. / La lithotritie extracorporelle dans le traitement de la lithiase de la voie biliare principale.

Thirty-three patients with common bile duct stones which could not be extracted by routine endoscopic measures were treated with extracorporeal lithotripsy. Two electrohydraulic lithotripters were used: Dornier HM3 and Technomed Sonolith 3000 using fluoroscopy and ultrasonography, respectively, for stone localisation. Twenty-nine patients were treated with only one session and four patients in two sessions. Fragmentation of stones was obtained in 29 patients (88 p. 100) and complete bile duct clearence in 26 patients (79 p. 100). The fragments passes spontaneously through the papilla in 7 cases; in 19 cases complete removal of fragments was achieved with a Dormia basket (16 cases) or after mechanical lithotripsy (3 cases). There were no significant differences in successful fragmentation rates between the two lithotriters. No serious adverse effects or mortality were observed within the 30 days following treatment. In conclusion, extracorporeal lithotripsy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of bile duct stones when, after sphincterotomy, routine endoscopic measures have failed.

[Effect of alcohol and cirrhosis on the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the gastric mucosa]. / Influence de l'alcool et de la cirrhose sur la présence de Helicobacter pylori dans la muqueuse gastrique.

The aim of this study was to determine whether there was any relationship between alcohol consumption, cirrhosis and Helicobacter pylori associated antral gastritis. One hundred and forty-four patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were prospectively included and classified in four groups. The first group of 23 patients had cirrhosis and an alcohol consumption below 80 g per day. The second group of 31 patients had cirrhosis and an alcohol consumption over 80 g per day. The third group of 34 patients had an alcohol consumption over 80 g per day without cirrhosis. The fourth group of 56 patients had an alcohol consumption below 80 g per day without any preexisting liver disease and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for non specific digestive symptoms. The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori was made at histological examination using the hematoxylin and eosin stain and the Whartin-Starry stain in each case. Histopathological results were confirmed by a bacteriological study in 15 cases. One hundred and twelve of 144 patients (78 percent) had gastritis. Gastritis was more frequent (p less than 0.01) when Helicobacter pylori was present than when it was not (90 percent vs 68 percent). Gastritis was more frequent when alcohol consumption was high (86 percent vs 72 percent). Helicobacter pylori was found in 26 percent of the first group, 48 percent of the second group, 65 percent of the third group and 45 percent of the fourth group. These differences were significantly different (p less than 0.05). A statistically significant relationship between high alcohol consumption and the presence of Helicobacter pylori was noted, even in the presence of cirrhosis (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Obstructive icterus in patients with hepatic tumor. Result of non-surgical biliary drainage]. / Ictère obstructif chez les malades ayant une tumeur hépatique. Résultat du drainage biliaire non chirurgical.

Seventeen patients with biliary obstruction and hepatic tumors were treated by endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic drainage with an endoprothesis. There were 9 men and 8 women (mean age = 61 +/- 13 years). Four patients had primary hepatic carcinoma and 13 had hepatic metastases. Decrease of serum bilirubin of more than 75 percent was achieved in 12 of the patients (71 percent). The success rate was related to the level of the biliary obstacle and not to the importance of hepatic parenchymal involvement. Failure was significantly more frequent (p = 0.003) in patients with type III hilar strictures compared to the other patients with pedicular or type I and II hilar strictures. Cholangitis was the major complication (29 percent) and occurred only in the patients with type III hilar strictures. Mortality was 24 percent at 30 days. This rate was 57 percent in the group of patients with type III hilar strictures and significantly higher (p = 0.015) than other patients. Cumulative survival was better in patients with relief of jaundice than that observed in the other patients (p less than 0.01). Two patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast treated by chemotherapy survived more than 20 months without jaundice. Analysis of these data indicates that in patients with hepatic tumors and obstructive jaundice, palliative treatment with endoprothesis can provide relief of jaundice and that prolonged survival may be observed in patients with chemosensible tumors.

[Long-term outcome of alcoholic patients after a stay in a hospital hepatogastroenterology unit]. / Devenir des malades alcooliques après une hospitalisation en hépato-gastroentérologie.

The long term results of psychologically oriented treatment for alcoholism were evaluated in 147 patients hospitalized in a liver unit and followed for 1-5 years. Twenty-three percent of the patients were hospitalized for treatment of alcoholism, while 61 percent were hospitalized for alcohol-related disease. The main patient characteristics were: males: 71 percent; age: 48 +/- 10 years (mean +/- SD); alcoholic cirrhosis: 48 percent; initial request for help in abstinence: 9 percent; and unemployment: 35 percent. During the hospitalization (16 +/- 10 days), each patient had 1 to 4 psychotherapeutic interviews. Seventy-four percent of patients responded to follow-up after discharge and contact was maintained in 23 percent of patients 2 years thereafter. The only two independent prognostic variables for long-term follow up were the need for medical supervision (P less than 0.001) and employment (P less than 0.005) (Cox model). Only 10 percent of the patients attended a post-hospitalisation psychotherapeutic program. Among the 108 patients who were followed, 35 percent were totally abstinent immediately after discharge and 17 percent did not relapse during the 2 following years. Relapse was unpredictable according to any of the initial variables. Half of the patients who were abstinent immediately after discharge remained totally so at long-term follow-up. Total abstinence was obtained for 39 percent of patients during a mean period of 27 +/- 34 months. Medical, social, or psychological improvement was observed more often in abstainers (61 percent) than in non abstainers (11 percent, P less than 0.001). We conclude that: a) long-term follow-up and abstinence were infrequently obtained in unselected alcoholic patients hospitalized in a liver unit; b) no initial criteria could predict the alcoholic relapse or select patients for alcoholism treatment; c) long-term results seemed more favorable when the patients where totally abstinent immediately after discharge.

[Septicemias after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Risk factors and antibiotic prophylaxis]. / Scepticémies après cholangiopancréatographie rétrograde endoscopique. Facteurs de risque et antibioprophylaxie.

The infection following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most severe complications. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and the prognosis of this complication, to look for the risk factors and to define bacterial ecology in order to put forward the most appropriate antibiotherapy. Two thousand and ten patients were included in this study. Among these, 51 (2.5%) had a septic complication following ERCP. Endoscopy biliary drainage was complete in 24 cases, incomplete in 19 and lacking in 8. Transhepatic biliary drainage was carried out in 17 cases. Sixteen patients (31%) with tumor obstructions died within 30 days after ERCP. Four risk factors were isolated when comparing infected patients with other patients: the completeness of biliary obstruction (90 vs 48%, P < 0.001); multiple cannulation attempts (1.76 +/- 1.12 vs 1.25 +/- 0.70, P < 0.001); the malignant nature of the obstruction (80 vs 23%, P < 0.002) and the lack of satisfactory drainage following endoscopy (53 vs 23%, P = 0.009). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated species, both from blood cultures (30%) and bile samples (23%). The preventive therapy of septic complications following ERCP must include strict rules concerning the disinfection of endoscopic material.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Treatment of cholelithiasis]. / Traitement de la lithiase vésiculaire.

Widespread use of echography and laparoscopic surgery has caused a revolution in the treatment of gallstones. The question now is which patients should be treated, and when and how? One clear answer concerns asymptomatic cases: no one. The only patients which might benefit from "prophylactic cholecystectomy" are potential graft recipients, although no evaluation has been performed. For cholesterol stones, drugs can be effective if the bladder functions correctly. Their effect can sometimes be accelerated with extracorporal lithotripsy. The indications of intracorporal lithotripsy are limited by the risks involved. But the big breakthrough came with laparoscopic procedures, now performed by nearly all surgeons because of the major improvements in patient comfort. This new technique reduces abdominal pain and scar tissue formation with the subsequent gain in hospitalization time. In the very near future, laparoscopic cholecystectomy will undoubtedly be considered the reference surgical technique, although until the question of systematic peroperative opacification of the main bile duct has been totally solved, traditional laparotomy will continue to have first intention indications.

[Non-parasitic cysts of the liver]. / Les kystes non parasitaires du foie.

Solitary biliary cysts and polycystic liver disease are among the most frequent cystic lesions of the liver. Solitary biliary cysts have a prevalence of 1 to 2 percent; they are almost always asymptomatic and do not require treatment. Ultrasonography shows a regular, round or oval, entirely liquid and trans-sonic image sufficient to make the diagnosis. Complications are exceptional. Polycystic liver disease is associated with polycystic kidney disease in 50 percent of the cases, and the prognosis depends on the degree of renal failure. In polycystic disease of the liver and kidney the hepatic cysts develop before the renal cysts. Complications (e.g. cyst infection) are rare and principally observed in patients with terminal renal failure. In patients with complicated polycystic liver disease various treatments, such as needle aspiration, alcohol sclerotherapy or surgery, must be considered.

[B virus, delta agent and human immunodeficiency virus infections in drug addicts]. / Les infections à virus B et delta et à virus de l'immunodéficience humaine chez les toxicomanes.

Infections with the B, D, A, NANB viruses and with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are very common among drug addicts, some of whom may harbour several of these pathogens. The serum of 90 per cent of drug addicts contains one of the HBV markers, and 20 per cent of them carry an anti-D antibody which is more often present in HBs Ag-positive subjects but may also be found in those who are positive for anti-HBs and anti HBc antibodies. The presence of an anti-delta antibody increases the risk of severe histological lesions (chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis), as does chronic alcoholism associated with drug addiction. Fifty to sixty per cent of drug addicts are seropositive for HIV. At the AIDS stage, hepatic lesions are extremely frequent (90 per cent), but they have low activity and are seldom responsible for death.

[Cystic dystrophy of an aberrant pancreas. Surgery after failure of medical therapy]. / Dystrophie kystique sur pancréas aberrant. Chirurgie après échec d'un traitement médical.

BACKGROUND: Cystic dystrophy of aberrant pancreas, characterized by cystic formations in ectopic pancreatic tissue, produces variable signs. Treatment is difficult. CASE REPORT: Our patient presented signs of acute pancreatitis and angiocholitis due to cystic dystrophy of an aberrant pancreas situated in the duodenal wall associated with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. Prolonged medical treatment was unsuccessful. Duodenopancreatectomy with preservation of the tail led to complete regression of the clinical signs. DISCUSSION: Signs of cystic dystrophy of an aberrant pancreas vary greatly. Diagnosis is generally established on the basis of echoendoscopic findings. After failure of medical treatment, duodenopancreatectomy with preservation of the tail could be the most appropriate surgical treatment, hypothesizing that the disorders result from obstruction of the Wirsung and the lower main bile ducts.

[Is the focal echographic lesion of the liver in patients with cirrhosis always correlated with hepatocellular carcinoma? 217 cases]. / La lésion échographique focalisée du foie chez le cirrhotique correspond-t-elle toujours à un carcinome hépatocellulaire? 217 observations.

The value of ultrasonography and serum alpha foetoprotein assay in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated in a retrospective study of 217 patients, (135 men and 82 women; mean age 58 years) who had been hospitalized for 18 months. Cirrhosis was of alcoholic origin in 76 per cent of the cases and complicated by ascites in 54 per cent. Twenty-four patients (11 per cent) had hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed at ultrasonography in 20 cases. The carcinoma was diffuse in 7 cases, focal in 13 cases and less than 3 cm in diameter in 3 cases. A second ultrasonography diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma in 4 cases. In 25/217 patients (11.5 per cent) the focal lesion seen at sonography was obviously not a carcinoma. Among the 207 patients who had a serum alpha foetoprotein assay, the result was normal in 167 (81 per cent) and 4 of these had a carcinoma. Among the 40 patients with an abnormal level of alpha foetoprotein, 19 had a carcinoma. This study confirms the good sensitivity of ultrasonography in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, but it also shows its low specificity, especially in cases with focal lesions. Ultrasonography and serum alpha foetoprotein assay should be used to detect hepatocellular carcinomas in cirrhotic patients who may benefit from surgical treatment. In the other patients, ultrasonically-guided biopsy should provide a firm diagnosis of carcinoma before undertaking other treatments, such as chemoembolization.

[Unusual cause of severe alveolar hypoventilation]. / Une cause inhabituelle d'hypoventilation alvéolaire sévère.

Mesenteric panniculitis is a rare disease of the adipose tissue of mesentery. Ascites is an unusual presentation. We report a case of panniculitis whose initial presentation was an obesity-hypoventilation syndrome with pulmonary hypertension. Respiratory disorders were related to abundant ascites. Panniculitis cure and ascites disappearance allowed return to normal pulmonary function and pulmonary artery pressure.