Retained Rice Cake: A Unique Upper Gastrointestinal Foreign Body: Case Report and a Literature Review.

As a rarely recognized foreign body in the upper gastrointestinal tract, rice cake frequently requires endoscopic removal. We herein report six patients with characteristic sonography, computed tomography (CT), spectroscopy, endoscopy, and histological findings. A review of all published cases, including ours, revealed that retained rice cake in the stomach typically shows the following: abdominal pain (93.3%), mucosal injury (93.3%) with bleeding (42.9%); high-density (120-206 Hounsfield units) CT findings; and indication for endoscopy (80%). In the esophagus, hot, toasted rice cake causes thermal injury. Primary physicians should be aware of this popular-food-induced, but rare, disorder.

Effect of Timing of Proton Pump Inhibitor Administration on Acid Suppression.

BACKGROUND: Esomeprazole has been reported to show a strong acid suppression following preprandial as compared to postprandial administration, though no known study has compared the acid suppressing effects of other proton pump inhibitors between those administrations. The aim of this study was to compare intragastric pH levels following pre- and postprandial administrations of rabeprazole and esomeprazole. METHODS: In 15 Helicobacter pylori-negative healthy volunteers, we measured intragastric pH after 7 days of pre- and postprandial administrations of rabeprazole (10 mg) or esomeprazole (20 mg) using a 5-way crossover design. RESULTS: Preprandial administration of esomeprazole showed stronger acid suppression than postprandial administration. The values for percent time at pH >4.0 over a 24-hour period increased from 45.3% with postprandial administration of esomeprazole to 54.4% with preprandial administration, while the percent time at pH >4.0 during daytime was increased to a greater extent from 51.4 to 66.5% with preprandial administration (p = 0.05). On the other hand, the acid suppressing effect of rabeprazole was not influenced by the timing of administration. CONCLUSIONS: The acid suppressing effect of esomeprazole is influenced by administration timing. In contrast, the acid suppressing effect of rabeprazole is not augmented by preprandial administration.

Risk factors for reflux esophagitis and countermeasures-Diet.

Reflux esophagitis is increasing in Japan in association with cultural and societal changes to a more Western lifestyle. The major cause is reflux of gastric contents, consisting mainly of gastric acid, into the esophagus. For prevention, it is necessary to give attention to the contents of meals, as well as food form and eating habits. More specifically, it is important to improve lifestyle habits related to diet, such as refraining from ingesting foods that stimu- late gastric acid secretion or promote relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which delays gastric emptying. Furthermore, consuming large meals quickly, lying down immediately after eating, and eating solids, each of which delays gastric emptying, should be avoided, as well as acidic foods and hot meals.

[Relationship of acid-related diseases with lifestyle habit changes and environmental factors].

In association with significant alterations in lifestyle habits, such as more Westernized dietary habits, and environmental factors including improved hygiene, changes in gastric acid secretion and upper gastrointestinal motility have recently been noted in Japanese individuals. Formerly, peptic ulcers, especially those caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, was the major acid-related disease encountered in Japan. However, more recently, cases of NSAID--and aspirin-induced ulcers are increasing. In addition, gastroesophageal reflux disease causing heartburn associated with reflux of stomach contents, mainly consisting of gastric acid, and functional dyspepsia with upper gastrointestinal symptoms, such as indigestion and gastric pain, are more often seen in patients.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome.

New strategies for the care of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are developing and several novel treatments have been globally produced. New methods of care should be customized geographically because each country has a specific medical system, life style, eating habit, gut microbiota, genes and so on. Several clinical guidelines for IBS have been proposed and the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) subsequently developed evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for IBS. Sixty-two clinical questions (CQs) comprising 1 definition, 6 epidemiology, 6 pathophysiology, 10 diagnosis, 30 treatment, 4 prognosis, and 5 complications were proposed and statements were made to answer to CQs. A diagnosis algorithm and a three-step treatment was provided for patients with chronic abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort and/or abnormal bowel movement. If more than one alarm symptom/sign, risk factor and/or routine examination is positive, colonoscopy is indicated. If all of them, or the subsequent colonoscopy, are/is negative, Rome III or compatible criteria is applied. After IBS diagnosis, step 1 therapy consisting of diet therapy, behavioral modification and gut-targeted pharmacotherapy is indicated for four weeks. Non-responders to step 1 therapy proceed to the second step that includes psychopharmacological agents and simple psychotherapy for four weeks. In the third step, for patients non-responsive to step 2 therapy, a combination of gut-targeted pharmacotherapy, psychopharmacological treatments and/or specific psychotherapy is/are indicated. Clinical guidelines and consensus for IBS treatment in Japan are well suited for Japanese IBS patients; as such, they may provide useful insight for IBS treatment in other countries around the world.

Intra-gastric pH following single oral administrations of rabeprazole and esomeprazole: double-blind cross-over comparison.

Comparisons between the acid inhibitory effects of rabeprazole and esomeprazole after single oral administration with standard doses have not been previously presented. We examined intra-gastric pH after oral administrations of these two proton pump inhibitors using 24-h pH monitoring. Fifty-four normal volunteers not infected by Helicobacter pylori were investigated. Using a cross-over design, we administered 10 mg of rabeprazole or 20 mg of esomeprazole in 27 at 30 min after supper and in the remaining 27 subjects at 15 min before supper, and performed 24-h pH monitoring. Intra-gastric pH data were nearly identical when the proton pump inhibitors were taken after meals. Even if the data were compared in different CYP2C19 genotypes, rabeprazole and esomeprazole did not show the difference. In poor metabolizer, both of the drugs showed stronger acid inhibition. When taken before meals, intra-gastric pH after esomeprazole administration was slightly but not significantly higher than that observed after rabeprazole administration not only in daytime but also in nighttime period. In conclusion, rabeprazole and esomeprazole were similarly effective when administered after a meal.

Clinical characteristics of elderly patients with proton pump inhibitor-refractory non-erosive reflux disease from the G-PRIDE study who responded to rikkunshito.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Japan tends to increase in elderly women. Rikkunshito (RKT), a traditional Japanese medicine, acts as a prokinetic agent and improves gastric emptying and gastric accommodation. Our previous prospective randomized placebo-controlled study showed that RKT combined with a standard-dose of rabeprazole (RPZ) significantly improved the acid-related dysmotility symptoms (ARD) in elderly patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). This study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of elderly PPI-refractory NERD patients with ARD symptoms who responded to RKT. METHODS: Two hundred forty-two patients with PPI-refractory NERD were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of either RPZ (10 mg/q.d.) + RKT (7.5 g/t.i.d.) (RKT group) or RPZ + placebo (PL group). Among them, 95 were elderly (≥65 years) with ARD (RKT group: n = 52; PL group: n = 43). We analyzed the changes using the 12 subscale score of frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG) and 15 items of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale at 4 and 8 weeks and compared the therapeutic efficacy between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no marked differences in baseline demographic or clinical characteristics in the 2 groups except for rate of current smoking. The FSSG score (mean ± SD at 0, 4, and 8 weeks) in both the RKT (16.0 ± 7.0; 9.9 ± 8.4; 7.0 ± 6.4) and PL (15.1 ± 6.4; 10.9 ± 6.7, 11.1 ± 8.5) groups significantly decreased after treatment. However, the degree of improvement of total and ARD scores of FSSG after the 8-week treatment was significantly greater in the RKT group than in the PL group. Combination therapy with RKT for 8 weeks showed significant improvement in 3 subscale scores (abdominal bloating, heavy feeling in stomach and sick feeling after meals) of the ARD domain and 1 subscale score (heartburn after meals) of the reflux symptom domain. CONCLUSIONS: RKT may be useful for improving GERD symptoms in elderly PPI-refractory NERD patients with ARD. Thus, RKT was particularly effective for resolving postprandial GERD symptoms (heavy feeling in stomach, sick feeling, and heartburn after meals). TRIAL REGISTRATION: (UMIN000005880).

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of rikkunshito for patients with non-erosive reflux disease refractory to proton-pump inhibitor: the G-PRIDE study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of rikkunshito (RKT), a traditional Japanese medicine, combined with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with PPI-refractory non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). METHODS: Patients with PPI-refractory NERD (n = 242) were randomly assigned to the RKT group [rabeprazole (10 mg/day) + RKT (7.5 g/t.i.d.) for 8 weeks] or the placebo group (rabeprazole + placebo). After the 4- and 8-week treatments, we assessed symptoms and quality of life (QOL) using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (FSSG), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and Short-Form Health Survey-8 (SF-8). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in FSSG and GSRS score improvement between these groups after the 4- and 8-week treatments. The mental component summary (MCS) scores of the SF-8 improved more in the RKT group (from 45.8 ± 8.1 to 48.5 ± 7.4) than in the placebo group (from 47.7 ± 7.1 to 48.4 ± 7.5) after the 4-week treatment (P < 0.05). The 8-week treatment with RKT was more effective for improvement of the degree of MCS score in patients with a low body mass index (<22) (P < 0.05) and significantly improved the acid-related dysmotility symptoms of FSSG in female and elderly patients (≥ 65 years). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in improvement of GERD symptoms in patients with PPI-refractory NERD between these groups. However, RKT may be useful for improving mental QOL in non-obese patients and acid-related dyspeptic symptoms, especially in women and the elderly.

Effects of mosapride on esophageal motor activity and esophagogastric junction compliance in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: The effects of the prokinetic drug mosapride on esophageal motor activity vary at standard doses. In addition to esophageal motor activities, compliance of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is important for prevention of gastroesophageal reflux. However, the effects of mosapride on EGJ compliance have not been reported. Here, we investigated the effects of high-dose mosapride on esophageal motor activities and EGJ compliance. METHODS: Nine healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Peristaltic esophageal contraction and lower esophageal sphincter pressures before and after administration of 40 mg mosapride were examined by high resolution esophageal manometry. Esophageal compliance was also investigated by intra-esophageal impedance planimetry (EndoFLIP(®)). RESULTS: High-dose mosapride augmented peristaltic contractions, especially in the distal esophageal segments (P < 0.05). The mean resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure was elevated from 25.0 mmHg before administration to 28.9 mmHg after (P < 0.05). In addition, mosapride significantly reduced EGJ compliance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mosapride at 40 mg augmented esophageal motor activities and reduced EGJ compliance in healthy volunteers.

Generation of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms During Esophageal Acid Infusion With Concomitant Esophageal pH Monitoring in Healthy Adults.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The sensitivity of the upper and lower esophageal mucosa to acid is considered to differ. We investigated the relationship between pH changes in different sites of the esophagus and generation of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms during an acid infusion test. METHODS: An acid infusion catheter was placed at 5 or 15 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in 18 healthy volunteers, while a 2-channel pH sensor catheter was also placed in each with the sensors set at 5 and 15 cm above the LES. Solutions containing water and hydrochloric acid at different concentrations were infused through the infusion catheter. RESULTS: Acid infusion in the upper esophagus caused a pH drop in both upper and lower esophageal sites, whereas that in the lower esophagus resulted in a significant pH drop only in the lower without a corresponding pH decline in the upper esophagus. Stronger heartburn, chest pain, and chest oppression symptoms were noted when acid was infused in the upper as compared to the lower esophagus, while increased intra-esophageal acidity strengthened each symptom. Regurgitations caused by upper and lower esophageal acid infusions were similar, and not worsened by a larger drop in intra-esophageal pH. Chest pain was caused only by lowered intra-esophageal pH, while heartburn, chest oppression, and regurgitation were induced by a less acidic solution. CONCLUSIONS: Higher intra-esophageal acidity caused stronger heartburn, chest pain, and chest oppression symptoms. However, regurgitation was not significantly influenced by intra-esophageal acidity. The upper esophagus showed higher acid sensitivity than the lower esophagus.

Case-control study of association of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders with Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan.

Recent studies have suggested that decrease in Helicobacter pylori infection may predispose to allergic diseases. However, there are few reports of the relationships of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs), especially eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), with H. pylori infection. We investigated the possible influence of H. pylori infection on EGIDs in Japanese patients. We performed a case-control study to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with EGIDs. Eighteen with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and 22 with EGE were enrolled. For each patient, 3 age- and gender-matched normal controls (n = 120) were randomly selected from a population who received a medical check-up between April 2010 and December 2011 at the Shimane Institute of Health Science. The mean ages of the EoE and EGE patients were 50.9 ± 17 and 49.2 ± 20 years, respectively. Males were more frequently seen in the EoE group, while there was no significant gender difference in regard to EGE. Of the patients with EoE, 22.3% were infected with H. pylori, as compared to 55.5% of their age- and sex-matched normal controls. The odds ratio for EoE patients to have an H. pylori infection was 0.22 (p<0.05). In addition, 22.7% of the patients with EGE and 48.5% of their matched controls were infected with H. pylori, with odds ratio for EGE patients to have an H. pylori infection shown to be 0.31 (p<0.05). In conclusion, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly lower in EGE and EoE patients in Japan as compared to normal control subjects.

Continuous imaging of esophagogastric junction in patients with reflux esophagitis using 320-row area detector CT: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is evaluated using an esophageal manometric study. However, information regarding the surrounding organs is difficult to obtain with use of a sensor catheter. We investigated the utility of 320-row area detector computed tomography (CT) to evaluate morphological changes of the esophagogastric junction and surrounding organs. METHODS: The study subjects were 18 healthy volunteers and 29 patients with reflux esophagitis (RE). Immediately after swallowing a diluted contrast agent, continuous imaging of the esophagogastric junctional area was performed for 15 s. Using CT images, the presence or absence of esophageal hiatal hernia, His angle before and after swallowing, size of the diaphragmatic hiatus, morphologically identified-LES (MI-LES) length, intraluminal horizontal area of MI-LES during relaxation phase, MI-LES thickness, abdominal esophagus length, subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, and esophagogastric junction fat area were evaluated. RESULTS: Analysis of CT images showed more frequent occurrence of hiatal hernia, greater His angle, and a larger diaphragmatic hiatus in patients with severe RE, while the lengths of MI-LES and abdominal esophagus were shorter in those patients. Visceral and esophagogastric junction fat areas tended to be greater in patients with RE. In all subjects, the posterior wall of the MI-LES was thicker than the anterior wall. CONCLUSION: Continuous imaging with 320-row area detector CT is useful to evaluate morphological changes in the esophagogastric junction area in both normal individuals and patients with reflux esophagitis.

Limited role of allergy testing in patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Allergies have been implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, although it remains unknown what type of allergen is closely associated with their development. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible involvement of food and/or aeroallergen factors in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders. METHODS: Eighteen patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), 23 with eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE), and 28 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The levels of total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and 33 different allergen-specific IgE antibodies, including those for six foods used in a standard EoE elimination diet, were determined in each subject. Serum antigen-specific IgE levels were measured using a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay with a multiple antigen simultaneous test 33 (MAST33). The expression patterns of specific antigens were compared among the groups. RESULTS: The mean level of total IgE antibodies was significantly higher in patients with EGE (553.6 ± 115.3 IU/mL) than the healthy volunteers (230.6 ± 87.1 IU/mL). Two thirds of all subjects had sensitivity to at least one inhaled antigen. In positive cases, allergies against multiple antigens were more frequently seen in the EoE and EGE patients. Japanese cedar and dust mite aeroallergens were more prevalent than food antigens. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with higher levels of serum total IgE antibodies, patients with EoE and EGE were frequently sensitized to several different allergens. Reactions to aeroallergens were more prevalent in these groups, although no particular antigen causing EoE and/or EGE was detected by measuring serum antigen-specific IgE antibodies.

Observations of Acid Reflux and Motor Function in Distal Esophagus Using Simultaneous Measurements of Intra-esophageal pH and Pressure in 8 Directions With Novel Sensor Catheter - A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophagogastric junctional lesions, such as mucosal breaks with Los Angeles grade A or B reflux esophagitis, lacerations in Mallory Weiss syndrome, and short segment Barrett's esophagus, are mainly found in the right anterior wall of the distal esophagus. Asymmetrical lower esophageal sphincter pressure and resting radial asymmetrical acid reflux may be causes of this asymmetrical distribution of reflux esophagitis and short segment Barrett's esophagus. We developed a novel pH and pressure catheter to investigate the asymmetrical distributions of pH and intra-esophageal pressure in the distal esophagus. METHODS: One healthy male volunteer was enrolled in this study. Acid reflux and motor function in distal esophagus was investigated using simultaneous measurements of intra-esophageal pH and pressure in 8 directions with novel sensor catheter. RESULTS: Thirty-six acid and weak acid reflux events were observed, of which 22 were circumferential refluxes with pH drops in all channels and 14 were partial refluxes with pH drops in some channels. Increase in transient circumferential intraesophageal pressure was observed just after 72.7% of the circumferential reflux and 42.9% of the partial reflux events. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel sensor catheter, 2 different types of acid reflux events were identified in the present study.

Association between metabolic syndrome and prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in a health screening facility in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal fat accumulation, which induces high intra-abdominal pressure that causes increase in the gastroesophageal pressure gradient and hiatal hernia, as well as obesity, has been shown to increase the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study was performed to clarify the association between metabolic syndrome and the prevalence of GERD. METHODS: The study subjects were an adult population who visited a medical center for annual medical check-ups from April 2010 to March 2011. GERD was diagnosed by the presence of endoscopically proven reflux esophagitis, GERD symptoms (QUEST score ≥6), or current medical therapy for GERD. The presence of metabolic or pre-metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on the Japanese criteria for metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Six hundred four (16.0 %) of 3775 study subjects were positively diagnosed with GERD, with the number of those with metabolic and pre-metabolic syndrome being 477 (12.6 %) and 384 (10.2 %), respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that male gender, presence of hiatal hernia, and metabolic or pre-metabolic syndrome, as well as absence of gastric mucosal atrophy, were significant predictive factors for the prevalence of GERD, as were visceral fat accumulation and untreated dyslipidemia. Untreated hypertension and untreated hyperglycemia were also considered to be positive risk factors. Subjects undergoing treatment for hypertension showed an increased risk of GERD, while those undergoing treatment for dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus showed a decreased risk. CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome is a reliable predictive factor for the prevalence of GERD, and medical therapy for metabolic syndrome may modify the risk of GERD occurrence.

Clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical characteristics of Japanese patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) have not been fully clarified. For understanding the pathogenesis as well as providing support for accurate diagnosis, precise information regarding clinical characteristics of these diseases is important. METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey of EoE and EGE was conducted in 1,078 teaching hospitals. Clinical data of patients with confirmed EoE or EGE diagnosed from 2004 to 2009 were collected. RESULT: Clinical data from 26 patients with EoE and 144 patients with EGE were collected. The mean ages of patients in both groups were in the 40s. Those with EoE frequently complained of dysphagia and heartburn, and had characteristic endoscopic features such as longitudinal furrows and multiple concentric rings in the esophagus, while only 34% had peripheral eosinophilia. Patients with EGE frequently complained of abdominal pain and diarrhea, and approximately 80% of them have peripheral eosinophilia. They did not have characteristic endoscopic features helpful for diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) findings and the presence of peripheral eosinophilia were diagnostic for EGE. EGE patients with a small intestinal involvement showed the highest peripheral eosinophil counts. Glucocorticoid administration was the most widely used treatment for these diseases and its effect was favorable for at least induction of remission. CONCLUSION: EGE is more prevalent than EoE in Japan. Patients with EGE have abdominal pain and diarrhea, high peripheral eosinophil counts, and gastrointestinal wall thickening identifiable by CT findings, while EoE is characterized by dysphagia and characteristic endoscopic features.

Elevated plasma cytokines in Japanese patients with eosinophilic esophagitis and gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The role of Th2-type cytokines in development of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has been largely revealed, whereas research on the pathogenesis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) has not been widely performed. We investigated the possible involvement of Th2-type cytokines in EGE by measuring plasma cytokine concentrations in patients with EGE as well as those with EoE. METHODS: 18 patients with EoE, 18 with EGE, and 30 normal volunteers were enrolled in the study. Plasma concentrations of five cytokines (thymic stromal lymphopoietin, IL-5, IL-13, IL-15, and eotaxin-3) were measured using Milliplex assays. Clinical characteristics of the patients and plasma cytokine levels were then compared. RESULTS: Higher proportions of patients with EoE and those with EGE showed elevated plasma concentrations of IL-5 and IL-15 as compared to the normal controls. There was also a positive correlation between IL-5 and IL-15, and also with blood eosinophil count. The plasma concentrations of these cytokines tended to be higher in cases with EGE than in those with EoE, though there were overlaps in cytokine levels among the patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Similar increases in plasma IL-5 and IL-15 were observed in patients with EoE and those with EGE.