Possibility of oral feeding after induction of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become established as a useful enteral nutrition technique, the associated risks must always be kept in mind. Recently, we experienced several patients who could orally ingest after PEG. To avoid unnecessary PEG, we investigated patients who could orally ingest after PEG, and analyzed predictive factors of postoperative oral feeding. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 302 patients who underwent PEG at our hospital. After all patients were divided according to postoperative oral feeding status, we assessed factors of patients' backgrounds. In patients who could orally ingest after PEG, we investigated the course of oral feeding status. We attempted to identify predictive factors for postoperative oral feeding using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was high in both groups, and overall condition was markedly poor. Forty-four patients (15%) were able to ingest orally after PEG. Enteral nutrition could be avoided during our observation period in 15 cases, because sufficient oral intake was achieved. Conversely, oral feeding was reduced or discontinued in 14 cases. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent predictive factors for postoperative oral feeding: (i) absence of dysphagia or aphagia; (ii) younger age; (iii) favorable performance status; (iv) presence of post-traumatic encephalopathy; and (v) preoperative swallowing training. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 15% of PEG cases were able to ingest orally after PEG. In patients showing positive predictive factors, indications for PEG should be carefully considered.

[Risk factors of early mortality after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: a retrospective study].

When performing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), the associated risks must always be kept in mind. We investigated and analyzed early mortality after PEG, retrospectively. Of the 302 patients (63% males, mean age 75 years) who underwent PEG at our center from 1999 to 2008, 7 patients (2.3%) were dead within 30 days of the procedure. Only one death could be directly related to the procedure. By a logistic regression analysis, the following 3 factors were identified as independent preoperative risk factors for death within 30 days of the PEG: (1) high serum creatinine level [mg/dl, p=0.006, odds ratio (OR)=8.472]; (2) past history of ischemic heart disease [p=0.008, OR=9.985]; (3) low serum albumin level [g/dl, p=0.017, OR=0.096]. In patients with poor renal function, poor cardiac function, severe malnutrition or exhaustion, the indications for PEG need to be very carefully investigated.

Investigation and prediction of enteral nutrition problems after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

AIM: To investigate and predict enteral nutrition problems after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data for 252 out of 285 patients who underwent PEG at our hospital from 1999 to 2008. Enteral nutrition problems after PEG were defined as: (1) patients who required > or = 1 mo after surgery to switch to complete enteral nutrition, or who required additional parenteral alimentation continuously; or (2) patients who abandoned switching to enteral nutrition using the gastrostoma and employed other nutritional methods. We attempted to identify the predictors of problem cases by using a logistic regression analysis that examined the patients' backgrounds and the specific causes that led to their problems. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 75 years, and in general, their body weight was low and their overall condition was markedly poor. Blood testing revealed that patients tended to be anemic and malnourished. A total of 44 patients (17.5%) were diagnosed as having enteral nutrition problems after PEG. Major causes of the problems included pneumonia, acute enterocolitis (often Clostridium difficile-related), paralytic ileus and biliary tract infection. A multivariate analysis identified the following independent predictors for problem cases: (1) enteral nutrition before gastrectomy (a risk reduction factor); (2) presence of esophageal hiatal hernia; (3) past history of paralytic ileus; and (4) presence of chronic renal dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Enteral nutrition problems after PEG occurred at a comparatively high rate. Patient background analysis elucidated four predictive factors for the problem cases.

Clostridium difficile-associated enteric disease after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become established as a useful enteral nutrition technique. Although various adverse events related to PEG are known, few reports have described Clostridium difficile-associated enteric disease (CDED) after PEG. We encountered several cases of CDED with onset soon after PEG. The present study examined these cases in detail and analyzed potential risk factors. METHODS: A total of 239 patients underwent PEG at our hospital from 1999, and the subjects comprised 233 patients for whom data could be statistically analyzed. CDED with onset soon after PEG was defined for cases with symptoms within 1 month after PEG. We investigated features and prognosis of these cases. A total of 19 predictors were chosen, and logistic regression analysis was performed using CDED with onset soon after PEG as a dependent variable. RESULTS: Mean patient age was high, and about 65% were men. Their body weights were low and their general condition was markedly poor. CDED with onset soon after PEG was shown in 15 patients (6.4%). Although oral administration of vancomycin resulted in prompt recovery in most cases, enteral nutrition was interrupted for a long period, and the general condition deteriorated markedly in two patients. Logistic regression analysis identified "past history of CDED" and "antibiotic dosing period at PEG" as risk factors for CDED onset soon after PEG. CONCLUSIONS: CDED occurred with onset soon after PEG at a comparatively high rate. Our analysis suggested "past history of CDED" and "antibiotic dosing period at PEG" as risk factors for CDED after PEG.

The pharmacodynamic effect of omeprazole 10 mg and 20 mg once daily in patients with nonerosive reflux disease in Japan.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the pharmacodynamic effect, efficacy, and safety of omeprazole 10 mg and 20 mg once daily in patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) in Japan. METHODS: A total of 37 patients were randomized to omeprazole 10 mg or omeprazole 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Eligible patients had a history of moderate-to-severe heartburn for 2 days or more per week during the last 1 month or longer prior to the study screening, grade M or grade N on Hoshihara's modification of the Los Angeles classification (i.e., no sign of mucosal break on esophagogastroduodenoscopy), and heartburn episodes for 2 days or more per week during the last week of the observation period while taking antacids. Ambulatory 24-h intraesophageal pH was monitored on the day before treatment and on the last day of treatment. The occurrence of a heartburn episode was recorded during pH monitoring. The primary endpoint was the change in the percentage of time with intraesophageal pH < 4 during the 24-h period before and after omeprazole treatment. RESULTS: Both omeprazole 10 mg and omeprazole 20 mg once daily reduced the percentage of time with intraesophageal pH < 4. The percentage reduction in time with intraesophageal pH < 4 after treatment with omeprazole was associated with a reduced number of heartburn episodes. Patients with grade M or grade N esophagus had similar pH profiles and NERD characteristics (e.g., pH holding time, symptom index) and comparable responses to omeprazole. No serious, drug-related adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Omeprazole 10 mg or 20 mg reduces the percentage of time with intraesophageal pH < 4, is efficacious, and is well tolerated in patients with NERD in Japan, regardless of the patient's endoscopic classification.

Inhibitory effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist on hepatic stellate cell activation in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of angiotensin II receptor antagonist on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation in the patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS: Seven patients with NASH were prescribed losartan, a selective angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist (50 mg/d) for 48 wk. Liver biopsies were performed both at the entry and end of the study in all patients. Quiescent and activated HSCs were identified by double immunostaining using anti-p75 and -smooth muscle actin antibodies, and the number of each phenotype was counted. Similarly, the liver specimens obtained from the eight patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) were also examined as controls. RESULTS: In NASH hepatic tissues, activated HSCs were dominantly distributed as compared with those in NAFL. The 48-wk losartan treatment induced a remarkable decrease in activated HSCs and a mild increase in quiescent phenotypes. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest the crucial involvement of HSCs in anti-fibrotic effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist on patients with NASH.