Use of N-acetylcysteine plus simethicone to improve mucosal visibility in upper digestive endoscopy via systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial.

Background: The use of antifoaming and mucolytic agents prior to upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy and a thorough systematic review are essential to optimize lesion detection. This study evaluated the effect of simethicone and N-acetylcysteine on the adequate mucosal visibility (AMV) of the upper GI tract by an innovative systematic method. Methods: This randomized, double-blind controlled trial included consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic upper GI endoscopy for screening for early neoplasms between August 2019 and December 2019. The upper GI tract was systematically assessed by systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy. Patients were divided into 4 groups: 1) water; 2) only simethicone; 3) N-acetylcysteine + simethicone; and 4) only N-acetylcysteine. The following parameters were assessed in each group: age, sex, body mass index, level of adequate mucosal visibility, and side-effects. Results: A total of 4564 images from upper GI areas were obtained for evaluation. The mean AMV in the 4 groups was 93.98±7.36%. The N-acetylcysteine + simethicone group had a higher cleaning percentage compared with the other groups (P=0.001). There was no significant difference among the remaining groups, but several areas had better cleaning when a mucolytic or antifoam alone was used. No side-effects were found in any group. Conclusion: The combination of N-acetylcysteine plus simethicone optimizes the visibility of the mucosa of the upper GI tract, which could potentially increase diagnostic yield.

Proton pump inhibitors in gastroesophageal reflux disease: "a custom-tailored therapeutic regimen".

The Montreal Definition and Classification divides Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) into esophageal symptomatic syndromes (and with mucosal damage) and extraesophageal syndromes (with acid established association and proposed association). In typical GERD symptoms, an 8-week treatment with PPIs is satisfactory in most cases (> 90%). Response rates to PPIs in GERD are highly variable, as they also rely on an appropriate clinical diagnosis of the disease; endoscopy differentiates the macroscopic GERD phenotype. The non-erosive variety (50-70% prevalence) has a different symptomatic response rate, as gastric acid is not the sole etiology of symptoms. The possible explanations of treatment failure include treatment adherence, PPI metabolism alterations and characteristics, and inadequate diagnosis. Refractory symptoms are related to gastric content neutralization by the chronic use of PPIs.Extraesophageal manifestations are associated with other pathophysiological mechanisms where an autonomic nervous system disturbance gives rise to symptoms. In these clinical entities, the relationship between symptoms and acid needs to be established in order to determine the use of PPIs, or consider other drugs. In other words, so as to "custom-tailor the best-fitting therapy" we need to answer the questions for whom, for what, how and for how long. Finally, PPI safety and tolerability are factors to be considered in elderly patients requiring chronic PPI use, who usually have chronic concomitant illnesses.

"Diseñando un traje a la medida": los inhibidores de la bomba de protones en la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico / Proton pump inhibitors in gastroesophageal reflux disease: "a custom-tailored therapeutic regimen"

La Clasificación de Montreal divide la enfermedad por reflujo gastro-esofágico (ERGE) en síndromes esofágicos sintomáticos y con daño a la mucosa y en síndromes extraesofágicos con asociación establecida al ácido y asociación propuesta. En síntomas ERGE típicos el tratamiento con inhibidores de la bomba de protones (IBP) es satisfactorio (> 90%) a 8 semanas en la mayoría de los casos. Las tasas de respuesta a los IBP en la ERGE son muy variables; ya que también dependen de un adecuado diagnóstico clínico de la enfermedad; la endoscopia diferencia el fenotipo macroscópico de la ERGE. La variedad no erosiva (prevalencia 50-70%) tiene una tasa de respuesta sintomática diferente ya que el ácido no es causa suficiente para explicar los síntomas. Las posibles explicaciones a la falla al tratamiento son el apego al tratamiento, alteraciones en el metabolismo y características de IBP y diagnóstico inadecuado. Los síntomas refractarios se relacionan con neutralización del contenido por el uso crónico de IBP. Las manifestaciones extraesofágicas se asocian con otros mecanismos fisiopatológicos como la disfunción del sistema nervioso autónomo. En estas entidades es necesario establecer la relación o no con el ácido para determinar el uso con IBP o considerar otros fármacos. Es decir, necesitamos responder a las preguntas en quien, para qué, cómo y por cuánto tiempo, para diseñar un "traje a la medida". Por último, la seguridad y la tolerabilidad a IBP son factores a considerar en pacientes de edad avanzada que requieren su uso crónico y que generalmente tienen enfermedades crónicas concomitantes (AU)

The Montreal Definition and Classification divides Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) into esophageal symptomatic syndromes (and with mucosal damage) and extraesophageal syndromes (with acid established association and proposed association). In typical GERD symptoms, an 8-week treatment with PPIs is satisfactory in most cases (> 90%). Response rates to PPIs in GERD are highly variable, as they also rely on an appropriate clinical diagnosis of the disease; endoscopy differentiates the macroscopic GERD phenotype. The non-erosive variety (50-70% prevalence) has a different symptomatic response rate, as gastric acid is not the sole etiology of symptoms. The possible explanations of treatment failure include treatment adherence, PPI metabolism alterations and characteristics, and inadequate diagnosis. Refractory symptoms are related to gastric content neutralization by the chronic use of PPIs. Extraesophageal manifestations are associated with other pathophysiological mechanisms where an autonomic nervous system disturbance gives rise to symptoms. In these clinical entities, the relationship between symptoms and acid needs to be established in order to determine the use of PPIs, or consider other drugs. In other words, so as to "custom-tailor the best-fitting therapy" we need to answer the questions for whom, for what, how and for how long. Finally, PPI safety and tolerability are factors to be considered in elderly patients requiring chronic PPI use, who usually have chronic concomitant illnesses (AU)