Effectiveness of a colonoscopic screening programme in first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer.

AIM: The study aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of a colonoscopy screening programme in first-degree relatives of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to identify factors associated with advanced neoplasia. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Individual characteristics, family trees and colonoscopy findings of asymptomatic first-degree relatives of CRC patients were collected. The findings were classified into cancer (invasive carcinoma and/or non-invasive high-grade neoplasia), high-risk adenomas (≥ 10 mm and/or a villous component) and low-risk adenomas (tubular < 10 mm). The dependent variable was the presence of advanced neoplasia, defined as cancer and/or high-risk adenoma. RESULTS: Two hundred and sixty-three relatives (147 females), 50.0 ± 11.5 (range, 25-75) years of age, agreed to participate out of a total of 618 who were invited (acceptance rate 42.5%). Index cases were diagnosed at 63.8 ± 12.4 (range, 37-88) years of age. The closest familial relationship was parent/offspring in 168 (63.9%) participants and sibling in 95 (36.1%) participants; 14.8% had three or more relatives with CRC/cancer associated with Lynch syndrome, and two or more affected generations were identified in 24.0%. Advanced neoplasia was found in 56 (21.3%) participants. Of these, invasive cancer, non-invasive high-grade neoplasia and high-risk adenomas were detected in five (1.9%), six (2.3%) and 45 (17.1%) participants, respectively. Low-risk adenomas were detected in 20 (7.6%) participants. Male sex (odds ratio, 2.59; P = 0.003) and sibling relationship (odds ratio, 2.74; P = 0.001) were independently associated with advanced neoplasia. CONCLUSION: We detected advanced neoplasia in a considerable number of participants. Our data support colonoscopy screening in first-degree relatives of patients with CRC at an earlier age than in the medium-risk population. Male sex and sibling relationship were predictors of advanced neoplasia.

[Referrals to a gastroenterology outpatient clinic: differences according to patients' geographical origin]. / Derivaciones a consultas de aparato digestivo: diferencias en función del medio geográfico de procedencia.

INTRODUCTION: The characteristics of users of the Spanish public health system have been evaluated in multiple studies. However, these studies usually refer to users of primary care and emergency services and less frequently to users of specialized services. Some studies have described differences according to patients' geographical origin. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the demographic profile of patients attending our gastroenterology outpatient clinic over a prolonged period. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The geographical origin, age and sex of all patients referred for an initial consultation in the gastroenterology outpatient clinic from 2001-2003 were analyzed. RESULTS: Women accounted for 53.7% of all appointments but no significant differences in referral rates were observed in comparison with men. A total of 65.5% of patients were from urban areas and the referral rate was significantly higher in these patients than in those from rural areas, although attendance rates were equal between patients from the two types of area. Referral rates increased in direct proportion with age; a predominance of referrals was observed in women aged < 74 years and in men aged 75 years or older. Some discrepancies were found among the distinct years analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: In our catchment area, demand is greater in the urban population than in the rural population. No overall differences were found in sex but significant differences were found in age and length of follow-up.

Duodenal compression caused by superior mesenteric artery: study of 10 patients.

BACKGROUND: the compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery (aorto-mesenteric clamp) is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Its clinical appearance may range between an asymptomatic and accidental radiological finding and an acute duodenal ileus (superior mesenteric artery syndrome), which requires urgent surgical intervention. METHODS: we revised all of the reports of upper gastrointestinal tract contrast-medium study (which included the duodenum) made in our hospital between May 1999 and April 2002. We analysed the case history of those patients with a radiological image compatible with aorto-mesenteric clamp. RESULTS: of the 1280 studies analysed, 10 of them (0,78%) were compatible with an aorto-mesenteric clamp. The 10 patients were females whose mean age was 25,7 years (range 9-77) that consulted for different abdominal discomfort. The symptoms of the 9 youngest patients were not typical of duodenal obstruction and their evolution was favourable. In the eldest patient, the clinical data were compatible with a mesenteric superior artery syndrome, although a subsequent study showed the presence of a colon adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: the aorto-mesenteric clamp is a rare radiological finding (<1 %) which does not always justify the supported clinical data. In our series, 9 cases were considered non-obstructive aorto-mesenteric clamps, although some of them showed pathogenical factors (scoliosis and thinness). The superior mesenteric artery syndrome should be considered as a diagnosis of exclusion after performing an adequate clinical study when the situation of the patient requires it.

[Resident physician training in the digestive system. The point of view of the residents]. / Formación MIR en aparato digestivo. El punto de vista de los residentes.

AIM: To evaluate various aspects of current training of Spanish residents in gastroenterology. METHOD: An anonymous postal questionnaire was sent to fourth-year resident physicians in Spanish hospitals with accredited gastroenterology residency programs. RESULTS: Forty residents in the fourth year (53% offered positions), four from the second year and one from the first year (20 men, 25 women) answered the survey. Mean age was 29.7 years (26-42 years). Fifty-one percent of the departments did not have ultrasonography facilities apart from those in the radiology department. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was available in all the departments but in 55% of these, residents did not receive training in this technique. Forty-one percent of residents did not know the objectives of the various training periods. Eighty-four percent evaluated the pressure of clinical work as "intense" or "very intense" with 67% reporting that it disturbed their training "seriously" or "very seriously" and 71% that it disturbed their personal lives. Supervision in ultrasonography, endoscopy and clinical work were mainly evaluated as "good" or "very good". Supervision was rated lower in outpatient departments and while on duty. Forty-two percent of residents rated the supervision of the personal tutor as "average". Seventy-six percent were "fairly" or "very interested" in the introduction of "areas of specific training". CONCLUSIONS: The quality of residents' training in general and of gastroenterology training in particular is high. There are, however, several aspects which could be improved.

[Endoscopic drainage with polyethylene endoprosthesis of malignant obstructive jaundice]. / Drenaje endoscópico mediante prótesis de polietileno de la ictericia obstructiva maligna.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of endoscopic drainage of malignant obstructive jaundice with plastic endoprosthesis as well as to identify possible factors related with occlusion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One-hundred and forty patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were retrospectively evaluated. The site of obstruction was proximal in 35 patients (25.0%), distal in 64 (45.7) and ampullary in 41 (29.3). Amsterdam or pigtail polyethylene prostheses of variable caliber and length were used. Drainage was preoperative in 41 patients and palliative in 99. Seventy-seven patients who underwent with palliative drainage were followed up long-term. RESULTS: Drainage was satisfactory in 132 patients (94.2%). Early morbidity was 10.7% (14/140) and early mortality related with the technique was 5% (7/140). Time free of obstruction was 4.6 +/- 1.0 months and in 47/77 (60%) the prostheses were still working at the end of follow-up. The actuarial rate of obstruction at 6 months was 42%, the majority (61%) occurring in the first 3 months. The median survival was 5.9 +/- 1.3 months. Of all the factors analyzed, greater permeability was found only in the ampullary tumors (p < 0.01) and in prostheses of caliber equal or superior to 10 French (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic biliary drainage using plastic prostheses is satisfactory in the majority of patients with malignant jaundice. It has a low complication rate and provides acceptable palliation: the majority of patients do not require prostheses to be replaced and, when they becomes clogged, substitution usually solves the problem. Ampullary tumors and prostheses of higher caliber (> or = 10F) have been associated with greater permeability.

[The predictive factors of a good response to the transfusion of erythrocyte concentrates in patients with controlled digestive hemorrhage]. / Factores predictivos de buena respuesta a la transfusión de concentrados de hematíes en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva controlada.

INTRODUCTION: Not all patients respond the same to the transfusion of erythrocyte concentrates (EC) after achieving the control of gastrointestinal bleeding. AIM: The aim of the present study was to analyze the predictive factors of good response to EC transfusion in patients with controlled gastrointestinal hemorrhage and determine the stability of transfusion performance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out in 61 patients with controlled gastrointestinal bleeding. The epidemiologic data were compared and prior to transfusion different analytical and hemodynamic variables were compared basally. On completion of the transfusion analytical controls were performed at 4 and 24 hours. The response was considered as optimum when pretransfusional basal hemoglobin (Hb) increased at least 1 g and the hematocrit (HCT) rose 3 points for each EC administered. RESULTS: The response to transfusion was optimum in 29 patients and bad in 32. The women responded significantly better than the men (p < 0.05), as did patients with lower weight (p < 0.05) and body surface (p < 0.05). The mean age of the responding patients was greater (p = 0.06) and the height, to the contrary, lower (p = 0.09). No significant differences were observed in the presence or not of associated disease, type of lesion causing the hemorrhage, or number of EC transfused. Likewise, no differences were found with regard to the pretransfusional values of TAM, TAS, FC, PVC, Hb, HCT, VCM, HCM, urea and creatinine. The only variables with independent predictive value of good response were female sex and low body surface. The difference between the Hb and HCT values at 4 and 24 h after transfusion did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The hemodynamic state and the degree of basal anemia do not condition response to EC transfusion in controlled gastrointestinal bleeding. 2. The response to the administration of EC is better in women and subjects of lower body surface. 3. Postransfusional analytical control at 4 hours allows early evaluation of the effects of the transfusion in patients at risk of recurrent hemorrhage.

[Evaluation of body fluid compartments and their relationship with water-electrolyte changes in obstructive jaundice]. / Evaluación de los compartimientos corporales y su relación con las alteraciones hidroelectrolíticas en la ictericia obstructiva.

BACKGROUND: The alteration of the mechanisms of water and sodium preservation may be an important factor in the development of acute postoperative renal failure in obstructive jaundice (OJ). Experimental OJ has been associated with a depletion of the extracellular volume and alteration of the mechanisms of regulation of hydrosaline metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of the body volumes and the regulating hormones of hydrosaline metabolism in human OJ. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective, clinical study evaluating 18 patients with OJ (9 females and 9 males) with a mean age of 69 +/- 8.9 years was performed. The plasma levels of antinatriuretic peptide (ANP), aldosterone and renin were determined. The body volumes were evaluated by tetrapolar bioimpedanciometry. The results of the patients with OJ were compared with a control group (CG) of 12 healthy subjects, matched for age and sex (6 females and 6 males with a mean age of 64.5 +/- 14 years). RESULTS: High ANP values were observed in 87.5% of the patients. The results of the hormonal studies compared with the CG were: ANP (117.33 +/- 37.7 vs 41.31 +/- 16.8 pg/ml; p < 0.001), aldosterone (185.68 +/- 82.1 vs 44.3 +/- 21.6 pg/ml; p < 0.001) and renine (57.18 +/- 69.9 vs 16.08 +/- 9.7 microU/ml; p < 0.05). Depletion of extracellular volume was found in 75% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Human obstructive jaundice is associated with an important alteration in the hormonal mechanisms of water and sodium regulation. This alteration is accompanied by a marked depletion of extracellular volume.