Helicobacter pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in functional dyspeptic patients: a randomized, investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The protective role of Helicobacter pylori in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has been widely discussed. AIM: To assess the risk of reflux oesophagitis in patients with functional dyspepsia after treatment for H. pylori infection. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled, investigator-blinded trial was carried out on 157 functional dyspeptic patients. Patients were randomized to receive lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin (antibiotic group) or lansoprazole and identical antibiotic placebos (control group). Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed at baseline, 3 and 12 months after randomization. The primary aim was to detect the presence of reflux oesophagitis. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients (94%) and 133 (85%) completed 3 months and 12 months follow-up, respectively. The eradication rate of H. pylori was 90% in the antibiotic group (74 of 82) and 1% (one of 75) in the control group. At 3 months, reflux oesophagitis was diagnosed in 3.7% (three of 82) in the antibiotic group and 4% (three of 75) in the control group (P > 0.2). At 12 months, diagnosis was established in five new cases within the first group and in four within the second (P > 0.2). No difference was found in heartburn symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication does not cause reflux oesophagitis in this western population of functional dyspeptic patients.

Comparison of streptococci of serological group B isolated from healthy carriers and active disease in Chile.

Serotyping of 50 streptococcal strains of serological group B isolated from human clinical specimens in Chile revealed mainly the serotypes Ia, II and III, either alone or in combination with protein antigens c or R. No significant difference in serotype distribution was detected between group B streptococci isolated from cervical swabs from clinically healthy women and those isolated from various pathological processes. Determination of antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria demonstrated resistance to tetracycline and minocycline in 29 isolates. All 29 tetracycline-resistant cultures hybridised with a gene probe for tet(M). Again, no differences were detected between the group B streptococcal isolates of various origins.

[Traffic accidents in a metropolitan area of southern Brazil--victim and lesion characterization]. / Acidentes de trânsito em área metropolitana da região sul do Brasil--caracterização da vítima e das lesões.

Casualties treated in a Emergency Hospital of Porto Alegre, Brazil, during the year 1988, for injuries received as a result of traffic accidents, are described by means of a retrospective study of the data provided by the Documentation and Statistics Sector of the hospital (n = 6.099). The results, similar to those described in the literature, draw special attention to the predominance of the male sex (69.2%), to the concentration of accidents involving individuals of between 20 and 39 years of age, inclusive, (52%) and to the frequency which the head is injured (49.6%) of the patients. Severe injuries such as bruises and fractures were found, respectively, in 61.5% and 24.2% of the patients. The data reveal, further, the large number and the seriousness of the injuries caused by accidents involving pedestrians which accounted for 32.7% of the total number of attendances related to traffic accidents, 57.2% of hospital internments; 54.6% of the victims of this kind of accident were under 9 years of age and 42.8% were over 60.

Tendencies in adult mortality in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 1970-1985. An international comparison.

"In order to evaluate mortality trends in adults aged 30-69 years in the State of Rio Grande do Sul [Brazil], changes in age-standardized mortality from 1970 to 1985 were calculated and compared with trends of 33 other countries. Virtual stability in Rio Grande do Sul over this 16-year period contrasts with dramatic reduction in age-standardized all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in many countries.... The data demonstrate that major declines in adult mortality can be achieved, and suggest that, during the period 1970-1985, Rio Grande do Sul participated little in the international tendency toward improved adult health." (SUMMARY IN POR)

Parkinson con alto riesgo hemodinámico / Parkinson with high haemodinamic risk

Dentro de los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson existen algunos que tienen especial frecuencia de factores de riesgo hemodinámico (hipertensión, diabetes, hipertrigliceridemia, agregación plaquetaria aumentada, disminución del flujo sanguíneo cerebral y anormalidades tomográficas). Estos pacientes tienen iguales síntomas que los demás, salvo en que los síntomas progresan más rápidamente. Es posible que una mejoría terapéutica de su estado vascular les sea útil (AU)

Parkinson con alto riesgo hemodinámico / Parkinson with high haemodinamic risk

Dentro de los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson existen algunos que tienen especial frecuencia de factores de riesgo hemodinámico (hipertensión, diabetes, hipertrigliceridemia, agregación plaquetaria aumentada, disminución del flujo sanguíneo cerebral y anormalidades tomográficas). Estos pacientes tienen iguales síntomas que los demás, salvo en que los síntomas progresan más rápidamente. Es posible que una mejoría terapéutica de su estado vascular les sea útil