The safety and efficacy of ERCP in octogenarians: a comparison of two geriatric age cohorts.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The application of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the octogenarian population is limited. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of ERCP in octogenarian patients with non-octogenarian elderly patients. MATERIALS METHODS: A total of 1044 patients who underwent ERCP for the first time and are over the age of 65 were enrolled in this study. Data regarding demographic characteristics, medical history of patients, indications, technical success rate, final clinical diagnosis and complications were analyzed. 284 patients and 760 patients composed the octogenarian and non-octogenarian group, respectively. RESULTS: The mean ages in octogenarian and non-octogenarian groups were 83.99±3.85 and 71.50±4.27 years of age respectively. Both groups had similar values with regards to chronic concomitant diseases (96.6% vs. 96.5%). The most common indication of ERCP in the two groups was common bile duct stones. There was no significant difference in technical success and failure of cannulation in procedures of either group (p > 0,05). The duration of overall ERCP procedure was shorter in length in the non-octogenarian group in comparison to the octogenarian group (p = 0.004). The overall complication rate was similar in both groups (p > 0.177). The most common complication in either group was post-ERCP pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is an effective and safe procedure in both octogenarian and non-octogenarian patients with naive papilla when performed by experienced endoscopists.

Is there any association between irritable bowel syndrome subgroups and autonomous dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional intestinal disorder. Although there are marked improvements in the conceptualization of IBS pathophysiology in brain-intestinal interaction disorder, there is no definite consensus in the role of autonomic dysfunction (AD) in disease development and symptom progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate autonomous dysfunction in IBS subgroups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients and 49 healthy controls were included. IBS subgroup types and demographic characteristics of patients were recorded. AD investigations were made up of parasympathetic and sympathetic tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference was determined between the groups in accordance to demographic characteristics such as age, gender, BMI and resting heart rate (p > 0.05). Three parasympathetic and one sympathetic autonomic neuropathy tests were found significantly different (respectively p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.016, p < 0.001, p = 0.375). There were significant decreases in parasympathetic tests in IBS-C patients; however, in the control group, there were significant decreases in sympathetic tests when compared with IBS-D patients (p < 0.001). The severity of AD in IBS-C subgroup was more pronounced than the IBS-D subgroup. No correlation was determined between dysautonomia and disease duration (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AD may have a role in IBS pathophysiology. Deterioration of the autonomous system not only affects the gastrointestinal system but also other systems including the cardiovascular system. Patients may also be susceptible to more diverse problems.

Frequency of eosinophilic esophagitis in patients with esophageal symptoms: a single-center Turkish experience.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated esophageal disease characterized with symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and eosinophil-predominant inflammation. There has been a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of this disease in recent years. The primary objective of this study was to determine the frequency of EoE in adult patients who were evaluated by gastroenterologists in our clinic with esophageal symptoms. Between November 2010 and May 2011, 311 adult patients who were evaluated in our clinic with esophageal symptoms were enrolled prospectively. All patients underwent endoscopy and had biopsies taken. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was excluded by either proton pump inhibitory treatment or 24-hour ambulatory pH monitorization. The diagnosis was confirmed by one independent pathologist. Frequency of EoE in patients with esophageal symptoms was 2.6% (n = 8; four men and four women). Mean age at diagnosis was 40.2 ± 8 years. Heartburn was the predominant symptom in patients (75% of the patients), and 87.5% (n = 7) of patients had more than one symptom at diagnosis. Nearly 38% of the patients (n = 3) had a history of allergic disease. Endoscopic findings were as follows: transient/fixed esophageal rings (25%), white exudates (25%), and normal appearance (50%). Median number of circulating eosinophils was 208 (93-659)/mm(3) . Median number of intraepithelial eosinophils in proximal-middle 1/3 part and distal 1/3 part of esophagus were 0 (0-50)/hpf and 37 (16-50)/hpf, respectively. In conclusion, EoE is not rare in Turkey, and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with esophageal symptoms.

Factors associated with hyperbilirubinemia after living donor hepatectomy.

PURPOSE: Increased serum bilirubin levels are common after living-donor hepatectomy. Little information is available on the characteristics and clinical significance of serum bilirubin levels soon after donor hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since September 2001, we performed 229 living donor hepatectomies for living-donor liver transplantations. The 128 men and 101 women had a mean age of 34.4±8.9 years (range, 19-66). Most donors were parents (n=110; 48%). We transplanted 110 right lobes, 46 left lobes, and 73 left lateral segments. Donors were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 consisted of 181 donors who showed total bilirubin levels of <3 mg/dL, and group 2, 48 donors with levels of ≥3 mg/dL on postoperative day 3. Preoperative total bilirubin level, ratio of preoperatively estimated remnant liver volume, surgical duration, gender, age, graft type, blood transfusions, and preoperative liver biopsy findings were evaluated as risk factors for hyperbilirubinemia. RESULTS: The mean postoperative maximum total bilirubin level was 2.26±1.49 mg/dL (range, 0.36-9.9). Remnant liver volume<40%, preoperative bilirubin levels>1 mg/dL, right lobe donor hepatectomy, male donor, and abnormal liver biopsy findings were significant risk factors for postoperative hyperbilirubinemia (P=.015, P=.02, P<.01, P=.008, and P=.023 respectively). Also donor age>50 years showed a slight effect on hyperbilirubinemia (P=.052). Blood transfusions and surgical times were not significant factors. CONCLUSION: Donor safety is paramount, requiring thorough donor evaluation. Extensive liver resection may result in transient functional impairment. Several factors are believed to play roles in the development of postoperative hyperbilirubinemia after living-donor hepatectomy.